Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
Credit cards can only be accepted for online registrations. When registering via phone or email, required fees must be paid at the program with cash or check payable to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County unless otherwise noted. Checks can be mailed to:
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St.
St. Charles, IL 60175
Programs are free unless otherwise indicated. Fee assistance is available upon request.
Most of our programs involve outdoor activities such as walking on trails. Please wear closed-toe shoes or boots (no sandals!) and long pants.
Severe weather cancels most programs. Call 630-444-3190 for program updates and cancellation announcements.
Please call us if you need to cancel, so that we may contact others on our wait list.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County (FPDKC) is committed to conducting its programs and activities in a safe manner and holds the safety of participants in high regard. The FPDKC continually strives to reduce risks and insists that all participants follow safety rules and instructions that are designed to protect the participant's safety. All registrants will be asked to sign a waiver and release.
By registering for a program, you consent to and authorize the use of any photographs and other audiovisual materials for promotional purposes, including printed material, educational activities, exhibitions, or for any other use for the benefit of the District.
Please let us know at least two weeks in advance by calling the program manager at 630-444-3191. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity of the District, should contact the ADA Coordinator at Voice: 630-444-3950 or 630-232-5980, TTY Relay: 800-526-0844, email at ada@kaneforest.com or mail at 1996 S. Kirk Rd., Ste. 320, Geneva, IL 60134, as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.
Have you attended a recent nature program by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County? Tell us how we did. Fill-out our online Nature Program Evaluation. There, you can rate our performance as well as our facilities, suggest future program topics, subscribe to The TreeLine newsletter, and more.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
Join a librarian from the St. Charles Public Library for read-aloud stories, finger plays, songs, and more during this fun program for children from infancy through age 5. If the weather is mild, we'll take the activities outdoors! Stay and enjoy the interactive exhibits in the Nature Center following the program and grab a take-home craft to continue the fun at your own house.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; no registration needed.
In this monthly program, geared for 3-5 year olds, we'll explore the natural world through a variety of activities specific to the theme of the month. Sessions include a combination of stories, nature hikes, songs, games, or crafts. A parent or caregiver must accompany child.
Thursday, Dec. 19; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Playful Penguins"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, Jan. 16; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Cardinals in the Snow"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, Feb. 20; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Peek-a-Boo Groundhog!"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Let us host a Woodland Birthday party for your child! We'll take care of the planning, entertainment and clean-up! Woodland Birthday Parties feature: An outdoor guided hike led by naturalists; a campfire; unique nature-themed party favors; use of Creek Bend Nature Center. Parties are available year-round! The fee is $100 for Kane County residents; $125 for out-of-county residents. Rate includes a party for 15 children; for more than 15 children, there will be an additional $5 per child. Call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com for more information or to book your Woodland Birthday Party today!
All ages are welcome to attend family programs unless an age limit is specified. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Organized groups must schedule a separate tour for their group.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
YARN ART SOCIAL CIRCLE
Join Naturalist Erica for a monthly circle of conversation over yarn art. Bring your own knit, crochet, or other yarn art project to work within a group of like-minded yarn enthusiasts. Share tips and patterns with others while picking up pointers and ideas from friends old and new. Yarn crafters of all skill levels are welcome. Register for one class or the entire year! Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, Dec. 14; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, Jan. 11; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, Feb. 8; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Bird Watching Walks
Enjoy the changing seasons as we hike, look and listen for the birds inhabiting our forest preserves. District naturalists will cover basic bird-identification skills and share a few interesting stories along the way.
Friday, Jan. 17; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Hannaford Woods/Nickels Farm Forest Preserve
5S002 Merril Rd., Sugar Grove
FREE; advance registration is required.
Friday, Feb. 14; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve
5N753 IL Rte. 31, St. Charles
FREE; advance registration is required.
mammals in winter
People can put on coats, hats and gloves to keep warm during snowy Midwestern months. But what do Illinois mammals do to beat the cold? Join a naturalist as we walk and look for signs of mammals, learning about the special adaptations that help wildlife survive the harsh winter environment.
Saturday, Dec. 14; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hampshire Forest Preserve
44W780 Allen Rd., Hampshire
FREE; advance registration required.
snowshoe adventure
Don't let a little snow stop you from getting out enjoying nature! If you've never snowshoed, join us to learn the basic skills needed to be comfortable and competent. After mastering skills like stride length, heel-toe-step, and climbing over obstacles, we'll hit the trail for a naturalist-guided hike through the winter wonderland. Attend one or all three sessions! Ages 8 and above.
Saturday, Dec. 28; 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $25/person; advance registration required.
Saturday, Jan. 18; 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Camp Tomo Chi- Chi Knolls
40W095 Freeman Rd., Gilberts
Fee: $25/person; advance registration required.
Sunday, Feb. 2; 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $25/person; advance registration required.
owl prowl
Not all wildlife seeks to escape our harsh Midwestern winters! In fact, some species of owl are particularly active at this time of the year -- counting mates and raising their young. Join District Naturalists for a sunset hike in the woods while we discuss all things owl.
Monday, Dec. 30; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
FREE; advance registration required.
hike into the new year
Say goodbye to 2024 with a fresh air hike and a hot cocoa toast to the new year and 100 years of Kane County Forest Preserves! Gathering at the District's first preserve, our naturalist will meet you at the historic cabin and head into the winter wonderlands. Recharge for the new year ahead while helping us celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Forest Preserve District.
Tuesday, Dec. 31; 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
FREE; advance registration required.
linen, the most useful fiber: A presentation & spin-in
This program includes an educational fiber arts presentation open to all and a hands-on workshop for current spinners. Bring your spinning wheel and lunch to Creek Bend Nature Center for the spin-in. At 10:30 a.m., spinners and non-spinners are all invited to join local fiber artists and historical interpreters Tom and Joanne Blodgett to learn about flax and linen fiber art. They will demonstrate how the fibers are extracted from the plant and subsequently spun into linen. After the presentation, stay for the rest of the open spin-in workshop. No registration required.
Saturday, Jan. 11; 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; no registration required.
wolf moon hike
Stroll under the light of a winter moon while learning why Native Americans named each of the full moons. We will explore the trail and river area for night life and share how Native Americans used this land long before we arrived.
Monday, Jan. 13; 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Les Arends Forest Preserve
2S731 Rte. 31, Batavia
FREE; advance registration required.
polar-palooza
Don't let the winter blues get you down. Drift in and thaw out at Creek Bend Nature Center during this nature-based arcade experience! Help the Forest Preserve District celebrate our centennial anniversary by completing a flurry of activities indoors and out -- earning tickets to redeem for prizes. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while you play and learn. From crafts to games, Polar-Palooza activities are appropriate for all ages, so gather up your family and friends for the premier of this new winter festival. No registration required.
Saturday, Jan. 18; Noon - 3 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; no registration required.
Over the past 100 years, regional coyotes have generated a long and interesting story. Do you know how Illinois' coyote populations have changed over the years? Or what Kane County coyotes have done to successfully survive our changing landscape? Find answers to these questions and more as we hike through the winter prairie looking for coyotes and discovering their secrets.
Sunday, Feb. 9; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
39W933 Russell Rd., Elgin
FREE; advance registration required.
ecolab: wet and wild experiments
Step into the Creek Bend Nature Center Laboratory as we investigate the properties and abilities of water. Participants will conduct a series of wild experiments that test their knowledge of water and quite possibly get them a little wet! Our final experiment will include making a "lava lamp" to take home. Ages 10 and above.
Sunday, Feb. 16; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/person; advance registration required.
after hours letterboxing
Get into the preserve after-hours to embark on a fun and unique new activity. Letterboxing is a recreational hobby that pre-dates the geocaching era. Instead of using GPS coordinates, we will read a set of natural-feature clues that describe our surroundings and guide us to hidden letterboxes. Attendees will receive their own starter letterboxing kit. Please be sure to register all participants so there are enough kits for everyone. Ages 7 and above.
Thursday, Feb. 27; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hampshire Forest Preserve
44W780 Allen Rd., Hampshire
Fee: $2/person; advance registration required.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
Seniors are invited to join District naturalists each month to explore a different preserve and learn about the natural and cultural history surrounding the land. Dress for the weather - these outdoor programs celebrate the change in seasonal surroundings! Each meeting includes a pleasant ramble lasting about an hour, followed by social time in the shelter. *The January program is an indoor travelogue. The February program will go back to the outdoor stroll.* No registration required for this free program.
Thursday, Jan. 2; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. *Travelogue: Backpacking the Sierra Nevada Range*
Barbara Belding Lodge at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
6N921 IL Rte. 25, St. Charles
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, Feb. 6; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. *Senior Stroll*
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
NURTURED BY NATURE
Experience the healing effects of nature. Studies show that time outdoors can relieve stress, boost your immune system, improve sleep, and contribute to overall good health. During this new monthly series, we'll incorporate gentle stretching, deep breathing, and a focus on awareness during these hikes designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit. This program is for ages 18 and above.
Sunday, Jan. 26; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Rutland Forest Preserve
41W230 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire
FREE; advance registration required.
Sunday, Feb. 23; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
FREE; advance registration required.
Get your 10,000 steps in during these invigorating naturalist-led hikes. This monthly program is designed for those who like active hiking all year long. We visit different preserves each month. The Naturalist will stop occasionally to interpret the ecology of the preserve as we walk - but the main goal is to cover ground! This program is for ages 18 and above.
Saturday, Jan. 4; 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Les Arends Forest Preserve
2S731 Rte. 31, Batavia
FREE; advance registration required.
Thursday, Feb. 27; 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Schweitzer Forest Preserve
16N690 Sleepy Hollow Rd., West Dundee
FREE; advance registration required.
winter solstice & coffee stroll
Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle for a wintery morning stroll through one of our most popular preserves. We'll enjoy a leisurely wander, with occasional stops to interpret the preserve history and Winter Solstice folklore. Don't let the chill keep you away, because we'll provide steaming hot coffee to keep you warm as you meander. Relax, unwind, and sip your way through the wintery wonderland. Please bring a refillable tumbler.
Saturday, Dec. 21; 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Fabyan West Forest Preserve
1925 Batavia Ave., Geneva
Fee: $2/person; advance registration required.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for any of our "Learn from the Experts" programs, call 630-444-3190, or email programs@kaneforest.com. Telephone reservations are accepted Monday - Thursday, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Payment is due at the program, with checks payable to Geneva Park District. No online registration is available for Learn from the Experts programs.
Learn from the experts programs
These classes about local ecology are taught by experts in the field. This award-winning program series is co-sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District, and the Geneva Park District. These programs are for ages 18 and above
Have you ever looked at a giant of a tree, perhaps a big oak, and wondered what historical events it experienced during its lifetime? Some of these impressive trees are called "witness trees" and they have a special place in the history of Illinois and our earliest forest preserves. During this program, we'll share a story of our regional witness, or "bearing" trees and provide you with the tools needed to discover witness trees in your own area.
Thursday, Dec. 19; 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
nature for all: the origin story of the forest preserve district of kane county
Land along the Fox River in Kane County seized for private development. Acres of woodland and farmland turned into housing. Open spaces filled. Nature in retreat. Children trapped indoors. The year was 1922. Back then, Kane County was derided as being "Slackers in Preserving Forests." Today, over 23,000 acres in Kane County have been preserved and conserved for the education and recreation of all following the establishment of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County in 1925. How did it happen? Join Al Watts, historical consultant to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, to encounter the women who led the effort to establish a Forest Preserve District in Kane County 100 years ago; learn why and how they did this work. Discover what is now known about the histories of the first tracts of land acquired by the District and the natural features that attracted the land's acquisition. You'll even get a sneak peek at other uncovered stories soon to be shared as the District celebrates its centennial year. Register for one session only.
Wednesday, Jan. 8; 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
Tuesday, Jan. 14; 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Barbara Belding Lodge/Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
6N921 IL Rte. 25, St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
creatures of the subnivean zone
There is a whole world of busy activity just beneath a fresh blanket of snow! We'll explore which animals call this subnivean zone between snow and ground their winter playground and discuss the relationship and adaptations of animals trying to survive our Illinois winters. If snow abounds, we'll get outside to explore a Quinzhee shelter.
Sunday, Jan. 26; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
what once was...extirpated and extinct animals of kane county
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has changed quite a bit in the last 100 years, and so has the wildlife community inhabiting it. Join District Naturalists for a hands-on discussion detailing the colorful creatures that were once abundant in our region. We'll highlight modern conservation efforts aimed at reintroducing some animals in an effort to recover their populations. This program will include both indoor and field portions; dress for the weather.
Saturday, Feb. 1; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
winter tree identification
During this class, you'll learn how to identify trees without leaves. Environmental Education Manager Barb McKittrick will provide an introduction indoors, followed by a hike in the woods. We'll examine bark, branches, twigs, leaf scars and buds and use these for identification.
Saturday, Feb. 22; 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
