Calendar
| Category Key | |
| Adults | |
| General | |
| Holidays | |
| Kids | |
| Nature Camp | |
| Scouts | |
| Special Events | |
Calendar developed and supported by Kieran O'Shea
Upcoming Events
- June 20, 2013
- Hawk CampHawk Camp
Time: 9:00 am
A five-day senior nature camp for campers who have completed 4th grade and up. Camp runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Exploring Iowa's natural history and learning how to interpret what you find requires unique skills and tools. This camp will equip you with both! A different topic each day - Geology, GPS, Archaeology, Wildlife Forensics and Survival in the Wild. It's an awesome week of fun and adventure. Cost: \$150/M; \$180/NM. Space is limited. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM on June 14. No walk-ins. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 9:00 am - 40th Hike: Landscape History40th Hike: Landscape History
Time: 6:30 pm
Explore a bit of geologic history on this evening's 40th Anniversary hike as you traverse flat and hilly terrain. Two miles. For adults. Cost: \$2/M; \$3/NM. Advance registration requested. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 6:30 pm
- Hawk CampHawk Camp
- June 21, 2013
- Hawk CampHawk Camp
Time: 9:00 am
A five-day senior nature camp for campers who have completed 4th grade and up. Camp runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Exploring Iowa's natural history and learning how to interpret what you find requires unique skills and tools. This camp will equip you with both! A different topic each day - Geology, GPS, Archaeology, Wildlife Forensics and Survival in the Wild. It's an awesome week of fun and adventure. Cost: \$150/M; \$180/NM. Space is limited. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM on June 14. No walk-ins. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 9:00 am - Summer Solstice CelebrationSummer Solstice Celebration
Time: 7:00 pm
For centuries, humankind has celebrated the sun's journey on the longest day of the year. Join the Nature Center and Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center as we share traditional solstice celebrations from various world cultures. Discover unique "suncatcher" plants that grow along our prairie labyrinth and create a suncatcher of your own. Enjoy music and participate in a salute to the setting sun from our prairie. Program is at the Nature Center and will be moved indoors if there is rain. Program will last 2 hours. A free will offering will be collected, no fee. Registration is required. Call 319-362-0664 to register. No online registration available for this program. at 7:00 pm
- Hawk CampHawk Camp
- June 24, 2013
- Caving!Caving!
Time: 8:00 am
One-day specialty camp for campers who have completed third grade and up. Maquoketa Caves are cool, mysterious, and a challenge to explore. Join our professional staff on a spelunking experience into Iowa's underground. You will discover cave formations, learn how caves form, an have a grand adventure! Limited to 12 kids. Cost \$50/M; \$60/NM. Camp runs from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM Thursday, June 20. No walk-ins. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 8:00 am - Circle ConversationCircle Conversation
Time: 7:00 pm
Welcome to our first Circle Conversation! Join us as we discuss transforming Indian Creek Nature Center into an amazing space. Conversations will focus on the proposed new building and site and how people interact with nature through the Center. Insights from the discussions will be used to guide the design process. Each conversation session will last approximately 90 minutes. Conversations will occur monthly through September. No admission fee Advance registration requested. Call 319-362-0664 to register. No online registration available for this program. at 7:00 pm
- Caving!Caving!
- June 25, 2013
- Birds, Bugs, & Creepy CrawliesBirds, Bugs, & Creepy Crawlies
Time: 9:00 am
One-day camp for children who have completed kindergarten through 2nd grade. Camp runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Spend a day spying on birds, catching bugs and discovering life under a log. Get up close and personal with an earthworm, and figure out how birds use their best tool - a beak - to find and capture insects. Explore the world of a honeybee and follow snail trails to hidden habitats. There's so much to discover! Cost: \$30/M; \$35/NM Space is limited. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM the day prior to the program. No walk-ins. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 9:00 am - 40th Hike: Tree Walk40th Hike: Tree Walk
Time: 6:30 pm
The Nature Center is home to many amazing trees. Come along on tonight's 40th Anniversary hike and learn their stories. Two miles. For adults. Cost: \$2/M; \$3/NM. Advance registration requested. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 6:30 pm
- Birds, Bugs, & Creepy CrawliesBirds, Bugs, & Creepy Crawlies
- June 26, 2013
- Creek Stompers IICreek Stompers II
Time: 9:00 am
One-day specialty camp for campers who have completed third grade and up. Camp runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Explore the sandbars, riffles and quiet pools of Indian Creek or Bena Brook while you discover the adaptations aquatic plants, insects, crawdads, and fish have for underwater life. Cost: \$30/M; \$35/NM Space is limited. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM the day prior to the program. No walk-ins. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 9:00 am - Creek StompersCreek Stompers
Time: 9:00 am
This camp is FILLED. Space is still available for the July 23rd session. at 9:00 am - PP: Going Buggy!PP: Going Buggy!
Time: 9:30 am
Bugs are neat; bugs are cool! Preschoolers and their parents can learn all about insects and their life cycles during this fun program. Visit the prairie on a bug-seeking adventure. Make your own bug catcher to use throughout the summer. For children aged 5 and under accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM the day prior to the program. No walk-ins. Cost: \$6/M Child; \$8/NM Child; Adults/free. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 9:30 am
- Creek Stompers IICreek Stompers II
- June 27, 2013
- Let's Go Fishing!Let's Go Fishing!
Time: 9:00 am
THIS CAMP IS FILLED at 9:00 am - PP: Going Buggy!PP: Going Buggy!
Time: 9:30 am
Bugs are neat; bugs are cool! Preschoolers and their parents can learn all about insects and their life cycles during this fun program. Visit the prairie on a bug-seeking adventure. Make your own bug catcher to use throughout the summer. For children aged 5 and under accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Preregistration and payment required no later than 3:00 PM the day prior to the program. No walk-ins. Cost: \$6/M Child; \$8/NM Child; Adults/free. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or click here to register online. at 9:30 am
- Let's Go Fishing!Let's Go Fishing!
- June 28, 2013
Founders’ Trail
The Founders’ Trail crosses old farm fields which are now lush with restored tallgrass prairie. The 1.5 mile trail climbs to the Founders’ Grove on the crest of the hill overlooking the Red Cedar River Valley. You will experience restored and recreated habitats that would have been present prior to Euro-American settlement. Watch for signs of the diverse wildlife that lives here today. A brochure with a map and expanded landmark descriptions is available in the barn.
Landmarks
The Penningroth Barn
Built in 1932, the Penningroth Barn (A) housed a dairy until World War II. The land was farmed until 1968, when the City of Cedar Rapids purchased the entire farm as part of the Cedar Greenbelt, to protect the floodplain along the Red Cedar River.
Sugarbush
In late winter, Iowa’s first agricultural crop of the year is harvested in the Sugarbush (B). Maple trees along Indian Creek are tapped and the collected sap is boiled in the nearby sugarhouse.
Sac and Fox Trail
Iowa’s first National Recreation Trail, the Sac and Fox Trail (C) was established in 1975. The trail meanders alongside Indian Creek, which flows into the Red Cedar River. The trail then turns west toward downtown Cedar Rapids for a total of 7.3 miles.
Lynne Stimple Prairie
Explore the huge glacial erratic, first deposited north of Cedar Rapids 12,000-15,000 years ago by the last glacier, which now marks the Lynne Stimple Prairie (D) entrance. Watch as wind flows over the prairie, pushing grasses and flowers into racing waves across the meadow.
Edge Habitats
Edge Habitats (E) exist where one habitat blends into another. Rich in wildlife and food, these areas are excellent for bird watching or for spying deer as they slip into the forest cover.
Oak Savanna
Oak Savanna (F) is one of the rarest habitats in Iowa. This beautiful habitat rapidly disappeared with settlement as oak groves became home sites, were cut for lumber, or were plowed for fields.
Upland Deciduous Woods
Roots of oaks, walnuts, and hickories reach deep into sandy hillsides of the Upland Deciduous Woods (G), nesting habitat for ovenbirds, catbirds, and many other species. Cooper’s hawks and various owls also nest here.
Founders’ Grove
The white pines of the Founders’ Grove (H) create a restful, quiet habitat for those who seek solitude. In winter, deer shelter under the pines’ protective canopy and owls frequently perch here.
