Find out what a bee is and why it is important. Walk around the meadow to look for bees and the flowers they visit. Riverbend Recreation Area The Meadows Activity Area Shelter 6 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is not required. Maclain […]

Discover what makes spiders unique. Visit different spider themed stations including pictures of various kinds of spiders, how spiders eat, a human-sized recreation of a spider’s web, and a web-slinging game with sticky hands and targets. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 1 PM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to […]

Grab a magnifying glass and become a footprint detective! Discover animal tracks and how you can use them as clues to solve a mystery. Visit a variety of stations that focus on animal tracks, including a print matching game, solve the forest mystery of whoever ate the berries, make your own prints with paint and […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

Bright Conservation Area was created to protect water quality, expand wildlife habitat, and provide natural beauty. Habitat is characterized as native wetland communities, including scrub-shrub, wet meadow, emergent herbaceous, and open water that support a variety of wildlife. Among the wildlife to be found in the wetlands and fields are wildflowers, such as Purple Coneflowers, […]

Make a work of art that looks like light reflecting off the surface of water. Use markers to color the water and masking fluid to leave white spaces for the reflections. All supplies will be provided. Liberty Landing 6 PM Ages 10 and up. Click here to register with $5 per person by 1 PM […]

The Discovery Center will be open for visitation. Visitors can choose to participate in unstructured and/or structured activities. Activities and attractions include bird watching via the Windows on Wildlife, mounted animals and live animals on display, nature videos, field guides and nature books for reading, touch table and puppets, and seasonal displays and exhibits. A […]

Aim, shoot, and score! Learn safety measures and the basics of archery from a certified archery instructor while shooting arrows at targets with a compound bow. Archery equipment will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 6 PM Ages 9-15. Click here to register with $10 per person by 1 PM on Tuesday, August 4. […]

Venture out to the wetlands in search of wildlife. Possible sightings include Great Blue Heron, White-tailed Deer, and Leopard Frogs. The hike will be roughly 2 miles. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 6 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Maclain Teeple mteeple@hancockparks.com

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

The archery range will be open for anyone who has participated in one of the Hancock Park District’s archery instructional programs. A certified archery instructor will supervise the archery open shoot. Archery equipment will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 6:30 PM Ages 9 and up. Click here to register with $10 per person […]

After a two-year hiatus, the historical McKinnis Garden has returned. Get a closer look at the plants in the raised herb and dye garden beds. Plants include herbs used for medicinal and culinary purposes, vegetables like tomatoes and beets, and perennial plants, such as rhubarb and hops. Light refreshments will be available after the tour. […]

Aim, shoot, and score! Learn safety measures and the basics of archery from a certified archery instructor while shooting arrows at targets with a compound bow. Archery equipment will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 10 AM Ages 16 and up. Click here to register with $10 per person by 1 PM on Friday, […]

Backyards are filled with important pollinators like butterflies, moths, and bees. Learn about different pollinators and how to promote pollinator habitat at home. Children can create a pollinator finger puppet and color a coloring page. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1-4 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

Kids get a chance to get sticky and gooey. Look at snail shells, play with various kinds of homemade slime, and play a slug matching game. Wear clothing that can get stained. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration […]

Feathers come from birds. Use a domestic bird feather (chicken, duck, turkey) to paint a picture, draw, write, dust, and play games. Drop a feather and let it float into the circle or be the first to blow it across the water pool. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 1 PM Ages 3-6 with an […]

Hike to the prairie in the cool of the evening. Check out flowers that grow there, including Prairie Dock, Mountain Mint, and Ironweed. See what insects and birds are using the prairie as a food source. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 7 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Michelle Rumschlag […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

Atlatls are a tool used to throw a long spear-like arrow called a dart. They have been the primary hunting tool of prehistoric people around the world for thousands of years and are still used in cultures today. Participants will learn about the history of the atlatl and use them to throw darts at archery […]

Explore Shank Lake aboard a kayak and enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Feel free to bring a fishing pole, binoculars, and even a book if relaxing, floating, and reading is your thing. If you are new to kayaking, do not let that stop you. Staff will provide instructions on the basics of kayaking, such as […]

Tom Frets from the Millstream Astronomy Club will present a program titled Astronomical Speed, Time & Distance. After the program, view the night sky. The Millstream Astronomy Club will have telescopes available (club members can show you how to use them) or bring your own. Riverbend Recreation Area Big Oaks Activity Area Shelter 3 9 […]

Pioneers made leather and used it in many ways. Stop by the workshop where Nelson Poe will be working with leather to craft a variety of goods, for example, see how a fly swatter was assembled. Stop by the washhouse where Robert McKinnis will be preparing animal skin as part of the leather making process. […]

Description: Information about the different types of arachnids and their unique features and behaviors will be shared. After the presentation, there will be a guided hike in search of spiders, ticks, daddy longlegs, and other arachnids that live in the park. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6:30 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is […]

Berries come in many shapes and colors. Children can participate in activities like Fingerprint Blueberries, Berry Lacing Cards, and Berry Sorting. Find out about the animals in Hancock County that eat berries, such as the Eastern Box Turtle and Blue Jays. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 10 AM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

Create a picture using leaves, tempera paint, and a sponge. While waiting for the paint to dry, visit the animals inside the Discovery Center and play at the Nature Play Area. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult. Other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration […]

Pioneers used pickling to preserve vegetables. The methodology used to preserve vegetables, such as cabbage, cucumbers, and green beans will be explained and demonstrated. Pickle samples will be available for tasting, including cucumbers, sauerkraut, and pickled ramps. Litzenberg Memorial Woods McKinnis House 6 PM Ages 16 and up. Free; but click here to register by […]

The Discovery Center will be open for visitation. Visitors can choose to participate in unstructured and/or structured activities. Activities and attractions include bird watching via the Windows on Wildlife, mounted animals and live animals on display, nature videos, field guides and nature books for reading, touch table and puppets, and seasonal displays and exhibits. A […]

Celebrate the 1974 American Girl Doll, Julie Albright. The times are changing and so are many things in Julie’s life. Change can be hard to accept, as Julie realizes what’s important. The menu will be food from the 1970s like carrot cake. Bring a camera along to capture pictures in our special 1970s photo area. […]

In the 1300s hats and bonnets were worn to protect against the sun and then became a symbol of social status, modesty, and fashion trends. There will be several types of hats and bonnets on display: pioneer day cap, slat bonnet, Kentucky Derby hat, cowboy hat, and other hats used throughout history. Make an easy […]

Create a fairy village for your bookshelf, nightstand, or countertop. Fairy houses will be made from toilet paper rolls and will include a door, windows, and a chimney. Craft and nature supplies, such as construction, scrapbook and tissue paper, foam cut outs, sticks, and markers will be supplied. Houses will be constructed using hot glue […]

Reptiles belong to one of four orders. Listen to a talk about the characteristics of reptiles then go to different stations with reptile bones and pictures to decide which animal it is. See displays of Painted Turtles, Garter Snakes, and Iguanas. Look at a live Box Turtle up close to understand what makes it a […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

Play in the sandbox at the Nature Play Area. Create sandcastles, holes, or other creations using our sandbox toys or bring your own. While playing, discover buried fossils and gemstones that can be taken home. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Nature Playscape 10 AM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; […]

Explore the world of Lepidoptera by searching for different species of butterflies found in the park. Search for the famous Monarch, yellow sulfurs, and tiny skippers, and the flowers and plants they depend on. Litzenberg Memorial Woods South Side Parking Lot 1 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

Cicada juveniles emerge from underground when they are ready to turn into adults. They climb on a variety of surfaces and shed their exoskeleton, leaving this shell behind. See how many cicada shells can be found by looking on tree trunks and trail posts. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Gatehouse 2pm All ages are welcome. Free; registration […]

Letterboxing is a treasure hunt style hobby, like geocaching, where participants read clues to find the location of hidden boxes scattered in public places across the country. Inside the boxes are a logbook, an ink pad, and a unique stamp to collect. Experience the hobby of letterboxing by searching for temporary letterboxes scattered around the […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]