Holidays at the Homestead
Sundays, December 2 and 9, from 1-4 pm
**Meet: DeLano Homestead, 555 West E Ave.
*Wagon rides $1/person
Interactive, outdoor/indoor family program.
Bring your family to the beautifully decorated DeLano Homestead to step back in time and enjoy a simpler way to celebrate! Explore the 1858 farmhouse to learn ways to have an environmentally friendly holiday. Enjoy holiday traditions such as decorating trees, the first holiday cards, and making gingerbread cookies. Listen to acoustic holiday music while relaxing in the parlor. Take a stroll to the 1830s log cabin replica to glimpse life during a Michigan winter in the wilderness. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride (weather permitting) and afterwards warm up with warm cider and a cookie. Learn about the natural products used by spinners, weavers and blacksmiths while enjoying demonstrations.
Connecting Women & Nature: Coffee and Crafts
Tuesday, December 4, 6-9 pm
*Fee: Members $30, Non-Members $35
Pre-registration and payment required by November 21st (269) 381-1574 ext.0
Women 14+, hands-on
Enjoy an evening of good coffee and a chance to exercise your creativity. We’ll be creating gifts from products of the earth: beeswax lip balm and a tea basket made from reeds. Basket weaving will be taught by local wildlife rehabilitator Sharron Butler. All skill levels welcome. Fee includes snacks, expert guidance, and supplies needed to complete both gifts.
Students Acting and Volunteering for the Environment (S.A.V.E.)
Saturday, December 8 from 11am – 3pm
*Fee: Members: $25/year; Non-Members: $50/year (includes a student membership)
Pre-registration required: (269) 381-1574 ext. 24 or e-mail jmetz@naturecenter.org
Creative and motivated teens, indoor/outdoor
Learn the skills needed to be a responsible backpacker or hiker through a Leave No Trace Awareness Course. Then put your skills into practice as we work to beautify trails. Come make a difference in the community, meet great new people and learn about the environment!
Story Corner
Tuesday, December 11, from 10-11am
Indoor, Young children and their adults
Grab a carpet square and actively listen to stories about our natural world. Everyone will get involved with hand rhymes, sound effects, puppets, and maybe a visit from an animal!
Knee High Naturalists: Owling Fun
Tuesday, December 18 OR Saturday, December 22, 9:30 - 11 am
Pre-registration required: (269) 381-1574 ext. 0
*Fee: $4/child with adult (in addition to regular admission rates, if applicable)
Hands-on, interactive, outdoor for children ages 3-5, with a caregiver
Join Miss Kara for an adventure into the winter woods! We’ll play games along the way to learn how owls hunt and fly at night and what they might be doing during the day. We’ll also enjoy a snack and story together and make something to take home!
Winter Wonders Walk
Sunday, December 23 at 2 pm
Outdoor trail walk with activities
Take a moment to soak in the beauty of the winter woods. Along our walk we’ll look for tracks and signs of animal activity while learning about animal survival in a Michigan winter.
Winter Break Family Programs
Winter Discovery Walk
Thursday, December 27 OR January 3 at 1 pm
Outdoor, trail walking, family program.
The woods may be quiet this time of year but a lot of activity is taking place. if you know where to look! Join naturalist Kara Haas to discover the winter woods.
Birds of Prey: Amazing Adaptations
Friday, December 28 at 1 pm
Indoor, interactive family program
What does it take to be a bird of prey? Many unique adaptations make these birds special. To help us understand, live birds will be included in the program!
Birding Walk: Kalamazoo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday, December 29 at 8 am
**Meet: Interpretive Center Parking Lot
Outdoor trail walk
Help Brian Nelson a KNC research biologist; conduct the annual Christmas bird count for Kalamazoo. Bring your binoculars, comfortable shoes and dress for mud and the weather. Stay as long as you like and help Brian spot and listen for birds on and off the trails throughout our property. See the back page of the newsletter for more information on Christmas Bird Counts.
Winter Survival
Sunday, December 30 at 2 pm
Outdoor, interactive family program
Spend an afternoon surviving in the winter woods! Join Nathanael Dickey, Exhibits Coordinator, to learn tips on human survival in winter conditions. Work as a group to build a survival shelter and make decisions that could seal your fate!
6 to 8-years old:
Winter Exploratopia – (Code: WIN1)
9:00am to 5:00pm Thursday, December 27, 2007
Search for animals in their frozen winter world. Discover what is out in the forest on a snowy day.
Play games, create art, hear stories and explore the winter world on snowy trails.
Fees: $40 member; $45 non-member
6 to 8-years old:
Winter Hunters– (Code: WIN2)
9:00am to 5:00pm; Friday, December 28, 2007
Some animals hunt other animals for food. Meet some hawks and owls who survive Michigan’s harshest season. Discover through many fun activities how life in winter is challenging for the hunter.
Fees: $40 member; $45 non-member
4 to 5-years old:
Fox’s Winter Wander– (Code: WIN3)
9:00am to 12:00 noon; Monday, December 31, 2007
Pretend you’re a fox. What would a day in winter be like for you? Discover the winter world through a fox’s eyes with the help of art, games and other fun activities.
Fees: $20 member; $25 non-member