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Summer fun
Summer camps started this week and we’ve got kids all OVER the place here all having a BLAST! Our Young Explorers are planting an American Indian “Three Sisters” garden of corn, squash and beans that other campers will tend throughout the summer. The Polliwogs (and their parents) are out searching for animal and insect homes to discover “Who Lives Here” and making some pretty cool nests of their own. We’ll post pictures later in the week!
Cool, cool, cool! Fun new merchandise in the shop! These birdhouses are CUTE and literally SNAP together quick and easy. You can use them indoor for decoration or outdoor as actual birdhouses! Many designs available. We’ve gotten in a bunch of new books, butterfly nets, kids’ games and activities and yes, we still have MAPLE CANDY! We’re on our last little basket though so if you’ve got a hankering….get here and get some!
Calling All Kids!
If you’re wondering what to do with the kids this summer, take a look at the variety of summer camp options offered at the Nature Center! We have programs that run from just an hour or two to four-day daycamps. So many fun things to learn and do! Archaeology, gardening, outdoor skills, crafts, hikes, critters…you name it, they do it! Many camps are nearing their camper limits, so if you’re still on the fence, get your kids signed up today!
ONLINE SIGN-UP SPECIAL! The next three people signing a child (or children) up online for our first session of Young Explorer’s Camp (June 14-17) – for campers entering 1st-3rd grades will receive a free “Critters of Iowa” book! We’ll go by our sign-up notices following publication of this post to decide who those three lucky winners, are so don’t delay! Here’s your link to sign up…YEC Session 1
There are openings in all our camps, but not many! Get your kids signed up TODAY!
New program for ‘tweens and teens
We’re often asked about programs for older kids and admittedly, we haven’t had as many as we do for the younger set. But Education Facilitator Jan Aiels has been working on a brand new program that’s specifically geared towards middle and high school students. One of the cool aspects of our new Naturalist Adventurers program is the kids can have a say in the programs to be offered!
Jan says the goal is to have a monthly program that includes an activity to learn about a chosen nature topic, enjoy an adventure led by a guest leader or participate in a hands-on conservation project. “This is their program,” Jan says. “We invite them to come plan future events. Do they want to know about fly fishing? Archeology? Solar cooking? If they’ll tell us what they’re interested in, we’ll put together a program around it.”
Kids can get involved by attending the first event on Saturday, June 18th at 1:00pm. There will be a GPS/Geocaching activity and then the planning session for future meetings. Cost is $3 for members, $4 for non-members. You can register by phone at 362-0664, through our Calendar of Events or click here to go directly to online registration. Join us and bring your ideas!
Youth Volunteer Day!
Ready to get your hands dirty? ICNC invites youth ages 11 and older to participate in a summer solstice day (June 21st from 9 AM to 3 PM) of volunteering to help restore Nature Center habitats with staff. Learn about conservation work and its importance!
Call us at 362-0664 to sign up.
Can’t make it on the 21st? We’re having a second Youth Volunteer Day on Monday, July 26th!
Spring critter programs at ICNC!
Leaping lizards! It’s all about spring critters at the Nature Center this week!
Join us bright and early on Thursday, May 6th for Dawn Watch: Return of the Little Brown Bats. Greet the sunrise with a 5:30 AM cup of coffee, and watch the bats return after a long night of mosquito eating!
Too early for you? Join us Friday evening, May 7th, at 7 PM for a Frog Walk. We’ll walk the path around the Nature Center’s wetlands and let the frogs serenade us with their springtime call.
Want to enjoy the spring after a long winter with a little one? Be at the Nature Center on Saturday, May 8th, at 10 AM for Sounds of Spring, a froggy program for parents and preschoolers. Learn about the life cycle of a frog, hear a story and make a craft!
For more information on these or any of our other programs, click here to be taken to our full event calendar!
(The photo in this post is property of David Allen of White Oak Art. It is used under creative commons guidelines. If used elsewhere, please credit the original photographer.)
