April - June Programs and Summer Nature Study
for Kids

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.

 

Homeschool Program: Bees
Ages 6-8; Thursday, May 2, 10:00 a.m.-noon. Fee: $8/members, $10/non-members. 
Ages 9-11; Thursday, May 2, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fee: $10/members, $12/non-members.
Ages 12-16; Tuesday, May 7, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fee: $10/members, $12/non-members. - Cancelled
While honey bees and bumble bees are the most recognizable, there are many types of bees that live in Illinois.  Learn about their life cycles, where they live, and why they are so important to the environment. Registration and prepayment required.

Little Wonders: Busy Bees - Ages 3-5 with an adult chaperone
Wednesday, May 15; 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Buzz on in and bee ready for a fun time as you learn all about bees!  Listen to a fun story, create a craft, and enjoy a tasty snack.
Fee: $5/child members, $8/child non-members; registration required.

Summer Nature Study
Click to visit our SNS program page

Fostering a love and appreciation of nature at an early age is so very important.  What better way to
spend the summer than exploring, discovering, and learning about nature!  With a diverse range of topics geared towards ages 3 and up, you are sure to find a program to fit your interests!  Advanced registration is required and class size is limited. To register, please fill out a Summer Nature Study Form and mail it in with your payment.  Registration must be received two weeks prior to the program start date.  Programs may be cancelled if minimum participant numbers are not met. Call 309.874.2174 or email register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org for more information.

Little Wonders - ( Ages: 3-5 with an adult chaperone )
Tuesdays, June 11-July 16 (6 classes); 10:00-11:30 a.m. OR 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Each program will focus on an exciting nature topic with hands-on activities, entertaining stories, yummy snacks, and creative crafts!
Fee for the series: $25/child members; $35/child non-members, registration and prepayment required.

Nature Fun Club - ( Ages: 6-12 )
Wednesdays, June 19-July 31 (7 classes); 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Discovery, investigation, and exploration will be emphasized in this exciting program.  Along with environmental themes, show-and-tell, and projects, club members will enjoy plenty of unstructured time in nature.  Kids may be divided by age and/or special interests.
Fee for the series: One child: $80/members, $100/non-members; additional siblings: $60/members, $80/non-members; registration and prepayment required, please bring a lunch.

Youth Nature Photography Workshop - ( Ages 9-13 )
Saturday, June 22; 9:00 a.m.-noon
Explore the art of nature photography with John Tobias!  Learn to use the features of your camera while creating gorgeous photographs of the natural world.  Please bring a digital camera with fully charged batteries (or extra batteries), and a memory card that can hold up to 100 images.  You will spend some time outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Fee: $10/members, $12/non-non-members, registration and prepayment required.

Creek Stomp
( Ages: 6-8 ); Thursday, June 27; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
( Ages: 9-12 ); Friday, June 28; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
( Ages: 12-16 ); Friday, July 19; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Kids will love getting wet and muddy as they explore the banks and depths of a nearby creek!  We’ll start by learning about some of the aquatic creatures we might encounter, then head out to creek to see what we can find!
Fee: $15/members, $20/non-members; registration and prepayment required; please bring a lunch.

Zentangle - ( Ages: 9-12 )
Thursday, July 11; 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Zentangle is an easy-to-learn and fun way to create beautiful images.  Students will learn basic patterns that can then be repeated and combined with other patterns.  It increases focus and creativity, and is an ideal way for all ages to gain confidence in drawing.  Certified Zentangle Instructor, Ellen Baranowski, uses this method to create nature inspired artwork.  For more information on Zentangle, visit zentangle.com.  All materials will be provided.
Fee: $12/members, $15/non-members, registration and prepayment required.

Sketching Nature in Pencil
( Ages: 13-16 ); Tuesday & Thursday, July 23 & 25; 2:00-4:00 p.m.
( Ages: 9-12 ); Tuesday & Thursday, July 30 & August 1; 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Learn the basics of nature sketching from instructor, Jill Wallace. Using pencil, we’ll go over shading, line, negative space, shapes, and more to create beautiful drawings of plants and animals. All
materials will be provided.
Fee: $15/members, $18/non-members; registration and prepayment required.

The Shapes of Nature - ( Ages: 6-8 )
Tuesday & Thursday, July 30 & August 1; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Students will look closely at items in nature, identifying the shapes that comprise them.  Then, by putting together these simple shapes, they can create drawings of plants, animals, and other nature related subjects. All materials will be provided.
Fee: $15/members, $18/non-members; registration and prepayment required.

To Register
Please register by using the Summer Nature Study Form and sending it along with payment to Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N 725 East Rd., McLean, IL 61754. You may also register in person. We are unable to accept credit cards. Call 309.874.2174 or email register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org for more information.

Psst...we didn’t forget the grown-ups that are looking for a summer adventure! See the program page for adults.

 

Past Events

Little Wonders: Animal Tails - Ages 3-5 with an adult chaperone
Wednesday, April 17; 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Animals have tails that come in all shapes and sizes.  Find out how each tail helps the animal move, communicate, and even fool predators!  Listen to a fun story, create a craft, and enjoy a tasty snack.
Fee: $5/child members, $8/child non-members; registration required.