April - June Programs for All Ages

Your interest may be the deciding factor to run a program!  Most programs require advanced registration. Click HERE for a program registration form.  Please try to register at least 7 days in advance.  Waiting until the last minute may result in a program being canceled due to low enrollment or missing out because it is full. Please register for classes by calling 309.874.2174 or emailing register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.

April

Blacksmith Demonstration
Saturday, April 20; 10:00 a.m.-noon
The public is invited to observe members of the Illinois Valley Blacksmith’s Association as they work at the forge, across the parking lot from the Nature Center.  Watch them heat, bend, and twist metal into art and tools!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Acoustic Irish Music Jam Session
Saturday, April 20; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to join an Irish-music jam session at the Nature Center. Listeners (and players) are welcome to come-and-go as they enjoy all of the other activities at Sugar Grove Nature Center. For more details, contact Martha Tyner at mtyner@iwu.edu.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Twin City Amateur Astronomers Public Viewing Session: Our Marvelous Moon
Saturday, April 20, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
The moon is our closest neighbor and constant companion, and affects us in many surprising ways. Join the Twin City Amateur Astronomers (TCAA) as they explore the moon, stars and other prominent sky objects.  A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  Programs will be held even in the event of an overcast sky. The presentation will be given and tours of the Sugar Grove Observatory will be available.  Active rain, however, will cause a cancellation of the event. Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.824.2804 to confirm if you are unsure. For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

May

Family Nature Exploration Day
Saturday, May 4; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Bring the family out for a day of fun at the Nature Center!  A guided hike will take place at 11:00 a.m., stop inside to create a make-and-take craft at any time, and don't miss the feeding of the turtles and snakes at 1:00 p.m.!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Twin City Amateur Astronomers Public Viewing Session: The Expanding Universe
Saturday, May 11, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Take a cosmological journey to discover “island universes” (galaxies), red shift, deep fields, curved space, dark matter and dark energy. A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  Programs will be held even in the event of an overcast sky. The presentation will be given and tours of the Sugar Grove Observatory will be available.  Active rain, however, will cause a cancellation of the event. Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.824.2804 to confirm if you are unsure. For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Campfire & S’mores Program: Bees
Friday, May 17; 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Learn all about bees, then buzz on out to the campfire and enjoy tasty s’mores, made with honey graham crackers, of course!
Fee: Free/members, $5/person non-members; registration required.

Blacksmith Demonstration
Saturday, May 18; 10:00 a.m.-noon
The public is invited to observe members of the Illinois Valley Blacksmith’s Association as they work at the forge, across the parking lot from the Nature Center.  Watch them heat, bend, and twist metal into art and tools!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Acoustic Irish Music Jam Session
Saturday, May 18; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to join an Irish-music jam session at the Nature Center. Listeners (and players) are welcome to come-and-go as they enjoy all of the other activities at Sugar Grove Nature Center. For more details, contact Martha Tyner at mtyner@iwu.edu.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m. -1 p.m.
Illinois Prairie Wild Ones will a native plant sale in the auditorium of the U of I Extension Office at 402 North Hershey Road in Bloomington. Members of Sugar Grove Nature Center will receive a discount! A tentative list of plants included in the sale is available on the website www.wildones.org/chapters/ilprairie/. Experienced native plant gardeners will be available to answer questions and to help in the selection of native plants and flowers for hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, shade gardens, drought tolerant gardens and urban gardens (those plants less than three feet tall). Proceeds will support the chapter's monthly programs to educate people on the use of native plants in landscaping designs.

June

National Trails Day Celebrationpresented by the Illinois Grand Prairie Master Naturalists
Saturday, June 1; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Join in the celebration of America’s trails at the Funks Grove National Trails Day (NTD) Celebration!

Through a unique partnership between the Funks Grove Cemetery Association, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Sugar Grove Nature Center, over 7 miles of hiking trails can be enjoyed in Funks Grove. Explore the diversity of plants and animals that live in the prairie, woodland, and savanna habitats. Visit creeks and streams where herons hunt and beavers are busy. Get to know the trails of Funks Grove! A variety of activities will take place in the Nature Center, on the grounds, and throughout the trails. Take part in guided hikes lead by Master Naturalists or explore on your own. Enjoy seminars, informational booths, fun activities, and so much more! Stop in any time between 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m., check-in at NTD Celebration Headquarters to pick up your hiking passport, and begin your journey. There is no cost, and registration is not required. This event will feature activities and hikes for adults, families with children, and even four-legged friends. Special opportunities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are planned, too! We encourage you to pack a picnic lunch and plan to stay all day! Explore and enjoy the nature of Funks Grove! Get your heart pumping, take a deep breath of fresh air, and leave your stress at the trailhead. There is no wi-fi in our forest, but we promise you will find a better connection! Keep an eye on our website, www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org for more information and a complete schedule of events.

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~ John Muir, 1913
Fee: Free, no registration required.

Family Nature Exploration Day
Saturday, June 1; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Bring the family out for a day of fun at the Nature Center!  A guided hike will take place at 11:00 a.m., stop inside to create a make-and-take craft at any time, and don't miss the feeding of the turtles and snakes at 1:00 p.m.!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Campfire & S’mores Program: Animal Homes
Friday, June 7; 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Discover the many places that animals call their homes. After learning how they are made and what to look for, there will be just enough light for a walk to search for animal homes.  We’ll end up at the
campfire for s’mores and lemonade.
Fee: Free/members, $5/person non-members; registration required.

Twin City Amateur Astronomers Public Viewing Session: Astronomical Curiosities of Saturn
Saturday, June 8, 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Can you imagine what surprises we'll find as we investigate the mysteries of the ringed planet? A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  Programs will be held even in the event of an overcast sky. The presentation will be given and tours of the Sugar Grove Observatory will be available.  Active rain, however, will cause a cancellation of the event. Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.824.2804 to confirm if you are unsure. For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Imagination Grove Fun Day
Friday, June 14; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
While Imagination Grove, our nature play area, is open daily, we have designated this special day for you to meet other like-minded families that enjoy and appreciate nature-based play.  Bring a nature item from home to trade at the Nature Trading Post: shells, nuts, rocks, or anything else you would like to trade.  We will supply lemonade and snacks, you bring energy and imagination! There are also two more Imagination Grove Fun Days scheduled for Saturday, July 20 and Thursday, August 15, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fee: Free, although a donation such as birdseed, sugar (for hummingbirds), or paper towels would be appreciated. See our website for complete wish list.  No registration required.

Blacksmith Demonstration
Saturday, June 15; 10:00 a.m.-noon
The public is invited to observe members of the Illinois Valley Blacksmith’s Association as they work at the forge, across the parking lot from the Nature Center.  Watch them heat, bend, and twist metal into art and tools!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Acoustic Irish Music Jam Session
Saturday, June 15; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to join an Irish-music jam session at the Nature Center. Listeners (and players) are welcome to come-and-go as they enjoy all of the other activities at Sugar Grove Nature Center. For more details, contact Martha Tyner at mtyner@iwu.edu.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Great American Backyard Campout
(A partnership with the Children's Discovery Museum and Sugar Grove Nature Center)
Saturday, June 29, 3:00 p.m. - Sunday, June 30, 10:00 a.m.
Grab your sleeping bag and tent and join us as we celebrate the great outdoors!  Bring your family and enjoy nature-related science and art activities, listen to the sounds of the woods as you take a night hike, view the stars with the Twin City Amateur Astronomers, explore Imagination Grove, or just sit by the campfire for stories and songs.  A campfire dinner and light breakfast are included.  Payment must accompany registration.
Fee: $8/person members of Sugar Grove Nature Center or the Children's Discovery Museum,
$10/non-members.  Children under the age of 3 are free.  Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  Registration required by calling the Children's Discovery Museum at 309.433.3444.

Looking Ahead...

Family Nature Exploration
Saturday, July 6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Bring the family out for a day of fun at the Nature Center!  A guided hike will take place at 11:00 a.m., stop inside to create a make-and-take craft at any time, and don't miss the feeding of the turtles and snakes at 1:00 p.m.!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Twin City Amateur Astronomers Public Viewing Session: The World’s Great Telescopes
Saturday, July 6, 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Take a look at some of the famous telescopes around the world and review their contributions to the science of astronomy. A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  Programs will be held even in the event of an overcast sky. The presentation will be given and tours of the Sugar Grove Observatory will be available.  Active rain, however, will cause a cancellation of the event. Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.824.2804 to confirm if you are unsure. For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Go Batty!
Wednesday, July 17, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Joe Kath, Illinois DNR Endangered Species Program Manager, will give a presentation about bats and highlight those that might be caught during the program.  Then, we'll use a bat detector and mist-nets to locate and (hopefully!) capture bats feeding along Timber Creek.  This program is great for ALL ages!  Participants will receive bat related resources and feast on a batty snack!
Fee: $5/members, $7/non-members; registration and prepayment required.

Imagination Grove Fun Day
Saturday, July 20; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
While Imagination Grove, our nature play area, is open daily, we have designated this special day for you to meet other like-minded families that enjoy and appreciate nature-based play.  Bring a nature item from home to trade at the Nature Trading Post: shells, nuts, rocks, or anything else you would like to trade.  We will supply lemonade and snacks, you bring energy and imagination! There is also another Imagination Grove Fun Day scheduled for Thursday, August 15, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fee: Free, although a donation such as birdseed, sugar (for hummingbirds), or paper towels would be appreciated. See our website for complete wish list.  No registration required.

Hummingbird Festival & Pollination Celebration
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 31! 
Look for details in our July/August/September issue of The Nature of the Grove or Online!

Past Events

Campfire & S’mores Program: Turtles - (Full, Closed for Registration)
Sunday, April 14; 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Learn all about turtles and meet our resident turtle friends!  Then head out to the campfire for a special concoction: turtle s’mores! (These will be made with chocolate, carmel, and nuts...not turtles.)
Fee: Free/members, $5/person non-members; registration required.

Family Nature Exploration Day
Saturday, April 6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Bring the family out for a day of fun at the Nature Center!  A guided hike will take place at 11:00 a.m., stop inside to create a make-and-take craft at any time, and don't miss the feeding of the turtles and snakes at 1:00 p.m.!
Fee: Free; no registration required.