April - June Programs
ALL AGES

Your interest may be the deciding factor to run a program!  Most programs require advanced registration. Click HERE for a 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.

Our newsletter, The Nature of the Grove, is available in PDF form. Check it out, HERE.

Family Nature Exploration Day
Saturday, April 7, 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.  In addition, As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue (www.asgoodasgold.org) will be on hand for a Meet and Greet.  Learn about their organization while visiting with pups and pooches in need of a good home.  Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!  As Good as Gold will be guests at Family Nature Exploration Days on April 7, May 5, and June 2.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Blacksmith Demonstration
Saturday, April 21; 10:00 a.m.-noon
On the third Saturday of every month, 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 bend and twist metal into art!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Acoustic Irish Music Jam Session
Saturday, April 21; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to join an Irish-music jam session at the Nature Center on the third Saturday of every month. Experienced players will be on hand to lead beginners through a couple of tunes at a slow pace to start, then will progress to an up-to-speed session of traditional Irish tunes.  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: Mars, the Red Planet
Saturday, April 21; 8:00-10:00 p.m.
With Mars visible in the early evening, take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about and view what is known as the Red Planet.  Join the Twin City Amateur Astronomers (TCAA) as they explore the stars and other prominent sky objects, such as planets, nebulae, and galaxies.  A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  The program may be cancelled in the event of a cloudy sky.  Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.324.2804 to confirm if you are unsure.  For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Family Nature Exploration Day
Saturday, May 5; 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.  In addition, As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue (www.asgoodasgold.org) will be on hand for a Meet and Greet.  Learn about their organization while visiting with pups and pooches in need of a good home.  Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!  As Good as Gold will be guests at Family Nature Exploration Days on April 7, May 5, and June 2.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Blacksmith Demonstration
Saturday, May 19; 10:00 a.m.-noon
On the third Saturday of every month, 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 bend and twist metal into art!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Acoustic Irish Music Jam
Saturday, May 19; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to join an Irish-music jam session at the Nature Center on the third Saturday of every month. Experienced players will be on hand to lead beginners through a couple of tunes at a slow pace to start, then will progress to an up-to-speed session of traditional Irish tunes.  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: Saturn, The Ring World
Saturday, May 19, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
The ringed planet provides one of the most compelling sights you can view through a telescope.  Join the Twin City Amateur Astronomers (TCAA) as they highlight Saturn near its annual opposition.    A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  The program may be cancelled in the event of a cloudy sky.  Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.324.2804 to confirm if you are unsure.  For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us. 
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Crayfish and a Campfire
Friday, June 1, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
No, we’re not going to eat them!  Learn about these little, lobster-like critters.  Kids of all ages can create a crayfish craft, then everyone (except the crayfish) will head out to the campfire for s’mores and lemonade!
Fee: Free/members, $5/non-members; registration required.

Family Nature Exploration Day
Saturday, June 2, 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.  In addition, As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue (www.asgoodasgold.org) will be on hand for a Meet and Greet.  Learn about their organization while visiting with pups and pooches in need of a good home.  Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!  As Good as Gold will be guests at Family Nature Exploration Days on April 7, May 5, and June 2.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Twin City Amateur Astronomers: A Venus Transit of the Sun
This EVENT OFFERS The LAST OPPORTUNITY IN OUR LIFETIME
Tuesday, June 5, 4:30-8:30 p.m. or as long as conditions allow. 
The Twin City Amateur Astronomers (TCAA) will be hosting a special viewing session as Venus crosses the face of the Sun (a transit).  This will be humankind's last opportunity this century!  Another chance at such a viewing will not occur again until 2117!  A a brief presentation on the history and cycles of Venus transits and their impact on astronomy will begin at 4:30, followed immediately by viewing.  You may come at any time, but early viewing is encouraged to give the best opportunity to observe the event.  Several transit-related activities are planned and variety of viewing options will be available for the public to safely observe the transit which begins with first contact at 5:07 p.m. local time.  This event will occur rain or shine.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Imagination Grove Fun Days
Thursday, June 7; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 19; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, August 10; 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!
Fee: Free, although a donation such as birdseed, sugar (for hummingbirds), or paper towels would be appreciated. See our wish list for a complete listing.  No registration required.

Blacksmith Demonstration
Saturday, June 16; 10:00 a.m.-noon
On the third Saturday of every month, 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 bend and twist metal into art!
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Acoustic Irish Music Jam Session
Saturday, June 16; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to join an Irish-music jam session at the Nature Center on the third Saturday of every month. Listeners and players are welcome to come-and-go.  For more details, contact Martha Tyner at mtyner@iwu.edu.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Twin City Amateur Astronomers Public Viewing Session: Arc to Arcturus and Speed to Spica
Saturday, June 16; 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Look at the constellations and point out how some of the brightest stars are used as guideposts to help you find other constellations.  Many of the bright deep-space objects that are visible in the sky at this time will also be highlighted.  A presentation will be followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope viewing.  The program may be cancelled in the event of a cloudy sky.  Phone Carl at 309.830.4085 or Lee at 309.324.2804 to confirm if you are unsure.  For additional information, visit www.tcaa.us.
Fee: Free; no registration required.

Imagination Grove Fun Days
Thursday, July 19; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, August 10; 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!
Fee: Free, although a donation such as birdseed, sugar (for hummingbirds), or paper towels would be appreciated. See our wish list for a complete listing.  No registration required.

National Wildlife Federation Great American Backyard Campout
A partnership with the Children's Discovery Museum and Sugar Grove Nature Center
Saturday, June 23, 3:00 p.m. - Sunday, June 24, 10:00 a.m.
Grab your sleeping bag and tent and join us as we celebrate the great outdoors for this national event!  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.

Go Batty!
Wednesday, June 27, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
This is the Year of the Bat!  Learn about bats and see some up-close at this spectacular program!  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 materials and feast on a batty snack!
Fee: $5/members, $7/non-members; registration required.

Imagination Grove Fun Days
Friday, August 10; 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!
Fee: Free, although a donation such as birdseed, sugar (for hummingbirds), or paper towels would be appreciated. See our wish list for a complete listing.  No registration required.