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white oak Nature Programs for Children

Registration is required.   Many programs fill up quickly, so please register early to guarantee a spot. Call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com to register. 

Homeschool Explorations

Join us for this nature program series designed for homeschool families.  Each month, the program focuses on a different topic at a different forest preserve.  Activities include learning how to tap a maple tree, tree identification, searching for wildflowers, exploring wetlands, and more!  Activities will focus on ages 5-10 but all ages are welcome. 

  • Maple Sugaring
    Tuesday, March 16;
    10 – 11:30 a.m.
    Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
    6N921 Rte. 25, St. Charles
    Fee: $2/person; $8/family of four or more
  • Spring Sprouts
    Wednesday, April 21;
    10 – 11:30 a.m.
    Blackberry Maples Forest Preserve
    Main Street, Elburn
    Fee: $2/person; $8/family of four or more
  • Pond Explorations
    Monday, May 17; 10 – 11:30 a.m.
    Burnidge Forest Preserve
    14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
    Fee: $2/person; $8/family of four or more

Little Acorns

Children ages 4 and 5 explore the natural world through a variety of activities.  Sessions include a combination of stories, nature hikes, songs, games or crafts.  During the program, parents and siblings may wait in the lodge or enjoy a hike on their own.  No older/younger siblings in the program please. Spring Little Acorns registration opens March 1.   
  • Opossum Tales
    Thursday, Feb. 18; 10 - 11 a.m. or 1 - 2 p.m.
    New Location:  Brewster Creek Forest Preserve, St. Charles
    Fee: $5/child
  • Sap's Rising
    Thursday, March 18; 10 - 11 a.m. or 1 - 2 p.m.
    New Location:  Brewster Creek Forest Preserve, St. Charles
    Fee: $5/child
  • Egg-cellent Adventures
    Thursday, April 15; 10-11 a.m. OR 1-2 p.m.
    Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
    6N921 Rte. 25, St. Charles
    Fee: $5/child
  • Pretty Petals
    Thursday, May 20; 10-11 a.m. OR 1-2 p.m.
    Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
    6N921 Rte. 25, St. Charles
    Fee: $5/child

Woodland Birthdays

Woodland Birthdays
Treat your child to a special Woodland Birthday!  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.
Saturdays, April through October
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. OR 3-5:30 p.m.
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Marie Rd., St. Charles
Fee: $75 for up to 15 guests; $5 per additional guest

SUMMER CAMP PREVIEW

Register early! Spots are limited!

Full-Day or Half-Day Camps

Children explore the woods and fields with our naturalist staff during these five-day nature camps.  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 brings a new adventure! 

 
FULL-DAY CAMPS
 
For children entering grades 1 and 2
Monday - Friday, July 26-30
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Marie Rd., St. Charles
Fee: $100/child
 
For children entering grades 3, 4, and 5
Monday - Friday, Aug. 2-6
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Marie Rd., St. Charles
Fee: $100/child

HALF-DAY CAMPS
 
For children entering grades 1 and 2
Monday - Friday, June 14-18
9 a.m. – noon
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Marie Rd., St. Charles
Fee: $50/child
 
Monday - Friday, June 28 - July 2
9 a.m. – noon
Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
Fee: $50/child
 
Monday - Friday, July 12-16
9 a.m. – noon
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
Fee: $50/child
 
For children entering grades 3, 4 and 5
Monday - Friday, June 21-25
9 a.m. – noon
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Marie Rd., St. Charles
Fee: $50/child
 
Monday-Friday, July 5-9
9 a.m. – noon
Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
Fee: $50/child
 
Monday - Friday, July 19-23
9 a.m. – noon
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
Fee: $50/child

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 include hikes through the woods and prairie with naturalists, plus games, stories and a campfire on the last night of camp. 
 
For children entering grades 3, 4, and 5
Monday - Thursday, Aug. 9-12
7-9 p.m.
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Marie Rd., St. Charles
Fee: $40/child
 
Monday - Thursday, Aug. 16-19
7-9 p.m.
Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
Fee: $40/child

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