Rocks are fun in many ways. You can paint, wire wrap, and build fun creations with just a little imagination. We will build a fun creation using rocks of all sizes and pour paint on them. Fun creations will be on display. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1:30-3:30 PM Ages 18 and up. Click here […]
The animal world is open 24/7. Some animals like to wake up to the sun and some animals wake up when the sun is setting. In this program, we will talk about the various sleep cycles found in the animal world. We will look at animals that are awake during the day, animals that are […]
Paper quilling involves rolling, looping, and curling strips of paper and gluing them to create a picture. We will talk about the art and history of quilling, the craft, and basic techniques, and then we will create a paper quilled snowman. The finished product could be a nice winter decoration. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center […]
Today is the day when the groundhog comes out of its hole to see if there will be six more weeks of winter. Come to Litzenberg Memorial Woods and learn about the history of Groundhog Day and why groundhogs come out of their burrows this time of year. We will hike in search of groundhogs […]
Join Mother Nature, Scooter Squirrel, and the birds at the Discovery Center bird feeders to learn about fall migration in a fun filled puppet show. Singing, dancing, and crafts will take place after the show. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Monday showtimes: 10 AM & 1 PM Sunday showtime: 1 PM All ages are welcome. […]
Join Mother Nature, Scooter Squirrel, and the birds at the Discovery Center bird feeders to learn about fall migration in a fun filled puppet show. Singing, dancing, and crafts will take place after the show. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Monday showtimes: 10 AM & 1 PM Sunday showtime: 1 PM All ages are welcome. […]
Join Mother Nature, Scooter Squirrel, and the birds at the Discovery Center bird feeders to learn about fall migration in a fun filled puppet show. Singing, dancing, and crafts will take place after the show. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Monday showtimes: 10 AM & 1 PM Sunday showtime: 1 PM All ages are welcome. […]
Typically, most people go camping during the summer, but you can go camping any time of year. Each season offers its own thrills and challenges. Learn about what it takes to go camping in winter. Program topics include trip planning, equipment, clothing, fire building, shelters, and safety. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM Ages […]
There are more objects in space besides our own solar system. Learn about deep space objects, galaxies, star clusters, and nebulas. We will talk about different types of deep space objects, view satellite photos in the planetarium, and paint a galaxy with acrylic paints. Please wear clothing that can get stained. Participants are required to […]
CANCELLED DUE TO UPCOMING INCLEMENT WEATHER! Bundle up, join us for a night hike, and experience the last full moon of winter. The Snow Moon, which is bright and full, will shine a spotlight on the park, pierce the stillness and darkness, and invite exploration. We will look for animals, bask in the cold, crisp […]
Cookie decorating can be a fun activity. Instruction on how to paint valentine cookies will be provided. Afterward, each person will have six cookies to decorate and take home. All supplies will be provided. Samples will be available. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1:30 PM Ages 18 and up. Click here to register with $5 […]
Join us as we explore different shapes, colors, and numbers. Stations will include shape matching, touch table, counting, and coloring. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Ages 3 and under with an adult. Other ages siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is not required. Maclain Teeple mteeple@hancockparks.com
During the Discovery Center overnight, we will watch the movie Night at the Museum and have popcorn and juice, play the secret code game, and hang out with friends. There will be pancakes, sausage links, and juice for breakfast. All food and snacks will be provided, but please bring a reusable water bottle. Campers will […]
Animal courtship displays to attract potential mates are interesting. Displays can involve dancing, vocalizing, chasing, and even feather puffing. We will look at courtship displays by spiders, birds, and pufferfish, and view a variety of displays and animal mounts located inside the Richard S. “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center. Children will have an opportunity to create […]
Chemistry happens all around you. There are chemical reactions outside in nature and there are chemical reactions inside your body. Join us as we talk about the basics of chemistry and try some basic chemistry experiments. We will look at different chemical reactions and properties by making invisible ink and a non-Newtonian fluid known as […]
Join us as we build blanket forts with our puppets and new friends. Part of the fun is using our imaginations, like pretending we are exploring a cave or acting like an ant in a colony. Afterward, relax with a coloring page. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM Ages 6-10 with an adult. Free; […]
As wildlife artists, we love to create images of animals in nature, but most of the time we are limited to using photographs as reference. Come out to the Discovery Center to get a close-up view of native animal taxidermy and other wildlife specimens in our collection. Study, sketch, paint, and photograph them to help […]
You might be surprised by the number of insects that can be found on a winter day. Come along as we go hiking in search of insects, like winter ants and snow fleas. As we hike, we will discuss what most insects do during the winter and why some insects are active when there is […]
Learn about wool and how it was used to create clothing in the 1800s, how fleece of a sheep is spun into useable yarn, and how a spinning wheel works. Help with the yarn making process by using carding combs to prepare the wool and a drop spindle to create string and learn how to […]
Numbers, colors, and backyard birds will be the focus as fun stories are read. Children can play with bird puppets, look for birds at the bird feeders, and create a handprint bird using tempura paint and complete a coloring page. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other […]
During this hike, we will explore the outdoors by looking at coniferous trees and feeling their prickly needles, looking for animal tracks and deciding if they are from a raccoon, rabbit, or squirrel, and looking for icicles and skunk cabbage. This program will take place outside, so please dress accordingly. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Gatehouse 1 […]
Humans have been observing the sky for as long as history has been written. Since Babylonia in 1600 BC, humans have observed the night sky, studied it, and written down information. Learn about how ancient civilizations viewed the night sky, including Mesopotamians, Ancient Egyptians, Ancients Greeks, and the Romans. In the planetarium, we will look […]
Join us and learn all about the different kinds of arachnids. What makes arachnids special is that they have an exoskeleton, two body segments, and eight legs. We will talk about a variety of arachnids, such as spiders, scorpions, and ticks. Arachnid displays will be available. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM Families with […]
The warmer air of spring causes the sap in maple trees to flow. Join us as we tap sugar maple trees for our upcoming maple sugarin’ week. We will talk about the process and tools needed to tap trees in historical and modern times and then tap a few trees with spiles to start our […]
The Story of Maple Syrup will be shared at the McKinnis House while guests enjoy a cup of tea. Grandkids can step back in time with a shared memory of the olden days by their grandparents. There will be maple cookies to sample while sitting in front of the cozy fire. Litzenberg Memorial Woods McKinnis […]
