|
A facility of the St. Charles Park District
|
|
3795 Campton Hills Road
In the James O. Breen Community Park
HOURS
Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
Sunday, 12-4pm
|
|
|
Friday, June 17
6-8:30pm
Ages 2+
Treat your beautiful little butterfly to a night of dancing, pizza and activities. Make this a Father's Day event to remember as you rock the night away with a DJ and butterfly surprises! Ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. One parent may accompany multiple children from the same household. Advance registration required.
|
Bring the family out to learn about lightning bugs and their intriguing ways! Enjoy an indoor, multimedia presentation on fireflies before making your own bug jar. Once properly equipped, venture out to catch (and release) some of these awesome night flyers!
|
|
|
|
Summer Nature Programs for Kids
|
 |
|
NEW! May the Forest Be With You
All Ages
F Aug 12 / 6:30-8:30pm
RES $5/NR $8 (#10001)
Do you have what it takes to become a Jedi™? Test your sensory skills on planet Earth to see if the Force is stro
ng within. Head out for a night hike and test your skills with several challenging activities. End by feeding your inner Jedi with a s'more treat- a treat that is tasty on any planet! Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Tremendous Turtles
Ages 4-6
W Aug 10 / 1-2pm
RES $5/NR $8 (#9988)
Meet the Box Turtles and Blanding's Turtles that spend their days at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center! Play a game, create a turtle craft and learn why turtles are such awesome animals. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate.
Slime or Scales?
Ages 4-12
Tu Jul 26 / 1-2pm
RES $5/NR $8 (#9998)
The animal residents of Hickory Knolls will love to show off who is an amphibian and who is a reptile. Do you know the difference? Join in a hands on experience of meeting and greeting these amazing animals.
NEW! Olaf's™ Day In Summer
Ages 4-12
Tu Jun 28 / 1-2pm
RES $5/NR $8 (#9997)
Oh to be a snowman made of summer snow! Time to cool off and enjoy an icy blast from winter. Participants will enjoy some cool ice and water inspired activities that will leave everyone refreshed and rejuvenated. Swimsuits or clothes that can get wet are recommend and bring a towel or change of clothes for the ride home.
|
NEW! American Girls-Get Outside with Lea Clark™
Ages 5+
Th Jun 23 / 6:30-8:30pm
RES $15/NR $23 (#10014)
You don't need to travel to an exotic rainforest to find exciting habitats worth protecting. Bring your doll and your creativity and you'll leave with four camping-themed items that will help you enjoy the adventure of your backyard as you and your doll head outside to explore. End the evening with the delight of s'mores.
Fantastic Forts
Ages 7-12
Tu Jun 14 / 1-3pm (#10007)
W Jul 13 / 1-3pm (#9987)
RES $10/NR $15
Take a hike... out to a secret spot to create a hidden haven! Learn how to construct a fort, then use your imagination and various natural resources to build one. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
NEW! Animal Intelligence
Ages 7+
W Jul 13 / 7-8pm
RES $5/NR $8 (#10206)
We all know dogs can do tricks but did you know some fish can count to three and honeybees have their own language? Many animals have amazing methods of interaction that humans are just starting to understand. Learn about these exceptional traits and you might just view our animal friends in a different light.
Wetland Wonders
Ages 7-12
W Jun 15 / 1-3pm (#9989)
Tu Jul 12 / 1-3pm (#9990)
RES $10/NR $15
Cool off in Otter Creek while learning about the ecology of wetlands and why they are so important. Explore the marsh and the creek as you hike along the water. Expect to get wet and muddy. Wear old, lace-up, closed-toed gym shoes (No Crocs, Keen's, sandals or rainboots please). Held at Otter Creek Bend Wetland Park.
NEW! Celebrating Our National Parks
Ages 10+
Th Jun 16 / 7-8pm
RES $5/NR $8 (#10204)
This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the National Park System. See how the NPS has worked to preserve some of the most beautiful places in our country. Learn about its beginnings and the conservation efforts of today. Then travel, through photos, to the top 10 National Parks and see why they have been preserved for generations.
Click on the code #s to register.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring Nature Programs for Older Kids & Adults
|
|
NEW! Learn Your Birds
Ages 16+
Sa Jun 11 / 8-10am
FREE but please register (#10414)
Bluebirds, purple martins, swallows of all types--these are just a few of many bird species that make our lives just little bit easier. How? By consuming insects! Learn more about the life histories of these vital members of our local ecology.
NEW! Summer Solstice Morning Meditation
Ages 16+
Tu Jun 21 / 7:30-9am
Using music and sound therapy, focus on yourself as you connect with nature. Crystal Singing Bowl sound waves will help calm your nervous system. Begin your day with a short hike to a meditation site in the natural area. Bring a towel or blanket to enjoy the singing bowl session in comfort. Hike departs from Hickory Knolls lobby, weather permitting. Held at Hickory Knolls Natural Area.
|
NEW! Black Bears: Dispelling The Myths
Ages 16+
W Aug 24 / 7-8:30pm
With increasing stories about black bears in the news, more and more people are asking questions about just who these beautiful animals really are. Many are curious about coexistence and safety. The North American Bear Center has created a fast-moving program that focuses on replacing myths with scientific facts. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to learn about black bear behavior that will help us coexist peacefully together.
Click on code #s to register.
|
|
|
Volunteers Needed!
Give Nature a Hand
Join naturalist staff for weekly restoration days in the community's scenic natural areas!
Saturdays - 9am-12pm
1st: Hickory Knolls Natural Area
2nd: Norris Woods Nature Preserve
3rd: Ferson Creek Fen Nature Preserve
4th: Persimmon Woods
To volunteer, call 630-513-4367.
For more details, visit stcnature.org.
|
It's time to get your
Rain Barrel
$65 each including tax
- Water Your Plants
- Wash Your Car
- Lower Your Water Bill
- Reduce Polluted Runoff for Streams & Rivers
Rain Barrels are a simple, efficient, low-cost method for homeowners to collect and recycle water. Using rain as a resource in rain gardens and rain barrels can have a dramatic impact on water quality in our rivers and streams and will help reduce flooding. Rain barrels are simply large containers that capture rainwater at the end of your downspout. It only takes about a half hour of steady rainfall to fill up a rain barrel.
Place order: June 1 - July 15
Pick up order: July 23
55-gallon recycled food grade plastic rain barrel equipped with a spigot, garden hose threaded overflow, top screen to keep out bugs & debris and screw-off lid. Installation accessories available for an additional fee.
|
|
|
SCOUTING OUT
Programs for boy and girl scouts are one hour long and held at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. The fee is $50 for up to 15 scouts and scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Topics can be customized to meet the needs of your group. Naturalists will assist individual scouts working on their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards or their Eagle Scout Rank.
|
Celebrate your Birthday at
Hickory Knolls!
Parties are two hours long and are held in the Wahoo Room. Weather permitting, parties will venture outdoors.
For more information visit stcnature.org
Ages 4+
Bug Bonanza, Dino Dig or FUNtastic Fairies
Ages 7+
Reptile Extravaganza, Hickory Knolls Whodunnits
or Nighttime Nature
To book your party call 630-513-4345.
|
|
|
Rental Space for Any Occasion!
Weddings, Baby Showers, Business Meetings, Family Reunion or Special Events!
The Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is a 10,500 sq. ft. building featuring a spacious lobby that soars more than 20 feet in height, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the oak savanna just outside the doors. A wide range of attractions appeal to visitors of all ages including live animal displays, interactive floor-to-ceiling murals, indoor turtle pond and wetland exhibit, and more.
Available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Kitchen and audio visual equipment at an additional fee.
For more information, call Tricia at 630-513-4345.
|
All programs held at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, unless noted.
3795 Campton Hills Road / 630-513-4399 / stcnature.org
RES=Resident / NR=Nonresident
|
|
|
|
|
