Children's Nature Programs

NEAR TO NATURE

Get up close and personal with nature this summer! Children ages 3 – 6 and their caregivers are invited to explore the woods and fields with District naturalists at preserves throughout Kane County. These one-hour sessions will include a nature hike, games, and fun activities. Fee: $5/child. You may sign up for any combination of the Near to Nature programs. Call (847) 741-8350 to register.

• Wednesday, June 25, 10 – 11 a.m.
  Camp Tomo Chi Chi Knolls, Gilberts
• Tuesday, August 26, 10 – 11 a.m.
  Burnidge Forest Preserve, Elgin
• Wednesday, August 27, 10 – 11 a.m.
  Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve, St. Charles
• Thursday, August 28, 10 – 11 a.m.
  Les Arends Forest Preserve, Batavia

PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE

Take an adventure this summer at area museums with the Passport to Adventure program. Participating sites in the Kane County Forest Preserve District include Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center in St. Charles, the Fabyan Villa Museum in Geneva, the Durant-Peterson House and Pioneer Sholes School at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. The passport program encourages children and their parents to visit a variety of history, nature, science and art museums to explore the people, events, and environment of the area. Children ages 4 through 12 will experience the world around them through exhibits and activities at each site they visit. The program is sponsored by the Illinois Parks & Recreation Association, the Kane-DuPage Regional Museum Association and a host of other partner agencies. Passports are available in late May at the Geneva and St. Charles Public Libraries. More information about the program is available at (847) 741-8350.

WOODLAND BIRTHDAYS

Treat your child to a special Woodland Birthday at Tekakwitha Woods, offered on Saturdays from April through October. We provide a beautiful setting, a naturalist-led hike, nature party favors for each child, firewood and skewers. You provide the food (hot dogs, marshmallows, juice, cupcakes, etc.) and eating utensils. Give your child a lasting gift – a touch of nature! Registration required. Call (847) 741-8350, Ext. 10, to register.

• Saturdays, April through October
  10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 3 – 5:30 p.m.
  Fee: $75 for up to 15 guests; $5 per additional guest

Nature Camp Programs

WEEK IN THE WOODS

During these five-day nature camps, children will explore the woods and fields with our naturalist staff. Through hikes, nature games and activities, children will discover native animals and plants in their habitats and learn the importance of these living things in the web of life. Each day will bring a new adventure! Detailed information provided upon registration. Fee: $50/child. Registration required. Call (847) 741-8350, Ext. 10, to register.

• Tekakwitha Woods, St. Charles

• Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13; 9 a.m. – noon; for children entering grades 1 and 2
• Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20; 9 a.m. – noon; for children entering grades 3 through 5

• Camp Tomo-Chi-Chi Knolls, Gilberts

• Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11; 9 a.m. – noon; for children entering grades 1 and 2
• Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18; 9 a.m. – noon; for children entering grades 3, 4, and 5

• Johnson's Mound, Elburn

• Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25; 9 a.m. – noon; for children entering grades 1 and 2
• Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 1; 9 a.m. – noon; for children entering grades 3, 4, and 5

New this year!
TWILIGHT CAMP

Discover a whole new world of wildlife during this evening summer camp. We’ll learn about native animals who are out and about at dusk. Camp activities will include hikes with the naturalists through the woods and prairie, games, stories, and a campfire on the last night of camp. Fee: $40/child. Call (847) 741-8350 to register.

• Monday, June 23 – Thursday, June 26, 7 – 9 p.m.; for children entering grades 3, 4 and 5
  Tekakwitha Woods, St. Charles