Leisure Ledger September - December 2023

Campfire Story & Marshmallow Roast

Family Naturalists: Nocturnal Animals

Talkin’ Turkeys Age: yrs. Ever wonder why a gobbler’s head is bare or what all those feathers are for? Find out the secrets of America’s favorite Thanksgiving dish. All ages welcome, but most appropriate for families with children elementary school age or older. Adult(s) must accompany participant(s), register, and pay the program fee. Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center – Course Fee: $4 Nov 19 Su 10:00-11:30am Twilight Walk Age: 5-99 yrs. Take a walk with a park naturalist to explore the woods and fields at this special time of day. Look for deer, coyotes, and owls. This program is designed for families with young children. Adults must accompany children. A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $3 Sep 8 F 7:00-8:30pm Nov 11 Sa 4:30-6:00pm Winter Solstice Stroll Age: yrs. Gather with us for a Winter Solstice stroll. On the shortest day of the year, we'll enjoy a crisp evening stroll before the longest night of winter. Encounter wildlife and plants along the way and learn about their adaptations for cold season survival. We'll end the evening with some storytelling and forest meditation. A great way to enjoy an easy walk with friends and family. All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by adult. Not all trails may be accessible by strollers. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $4 Dec 21 Th 3:30-5:00pm Winter Solstice: Solstice Stroll Age: yrs. Gather with us for a Winter Solstice stroll. On this shortest day of the year, we'll enjoy the crisp forest trails before the longest night of winter. Encounter wildlife and plants along the way and learn about their adaptations for cold season survival. We'll close with a reflective meditation around the campfire. This easy walk is a great way to spend quality time with friends or family taking in the quiet, restful phase of the natural year. This program takes place on trails that may not be accessible by strollers. Children must be accompanied by adults. Preregistration is required for all participants. Durant Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $4 Dec 21 Th 3:30-5:00pm

Age: yrs. Gather ‘round the campfire to enjoy an evening of storytelling, nature, and community. As dusk falls, we’ll come together to make new friends, share a tale connected to the forests and wildlife of the Preserve, and roast marshmallows. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must preregister and pay the program fee. Durant Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $5 Oct 28 Sa 5:30-6:30pm Nov 11 Sa 4:00-5:00pm Nov 18 Sa 4:00-5:00pm Nov 26 Sa 4:00-5:00pm Dec 2 Sa 4:00-5:00pm Dec 17 Sa 4:00-5:00pm Daytime Eclipse Astronomy Age: 5-99 yrs. Join us to safely observe a Partial Solar Eclipse (weather permitting) and learn more about our closest star, the Sun! We will also investigate the causes behind both Solar and Lunar Eclipses, and learn how to enjoy observing these fascinating astronomical events. A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $3 Oct 14 Sa 12:00-1:30pm Age: 12+ yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about pollinators! Who are our park pollinators, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your hands dirty, get your body moving, and let your creativity flow. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $5 Sep 2 Sa 1:00-3:00pm Family Naturalist Series: Wetland Mammals Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about all our park’s wetland mammals! Who lives in our park, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $5 Nov 5 Su 2:00-4:00pm Family Naturalist Series: Winter Adaptations Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about how the wetland prepares for winter in our winter adaptations class! This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $5 Dec 10 Su 2:00-4:00pm Family Naturalist Series: Introduction to Pollinators

Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about all the things that go bump in the night! Who are our parks night workers, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $4 Oct 10 Tu 6:30-8:00pm National Hiking Day Hike Age: 5-99 yrs. Celebrate National Hiking Day with a guided nature walk! Come ready to visit multiple trails as we look for wildlife and enjoy the fall foliage season. A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $2 Nov 17 F 10:30am-12:00pm Nature Art Age: 6-99 yrs. Come make wild ornaments out of natural items. We’ll use invasive plants found on the property and other commonly found nature items to create beautiful ornaments for you to take home. Use these ornaments to brighten up your home during the darkest month of the year! Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must preregister and pay the program fee. Durant Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $5 Dec 16 Sa 2:00-3:00pm Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $5 Dec 10 Su 2:00-3:00pm Playground Pop-Ups Age: yrs. Lake Wheeler’s Playground Pop-Ups are back! Join us for a quick take-home craft at our Magnolia Shelter by the playground. These activities are perfect for toddlers and kids but can be enjoyed by the whole family. We encourage you to pre-register so we can get an idea of how much supplies to prepare, but drop-ins are welcome! Hope Survive the Wild Age: 7-99 yrs. Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Come find out! Join us for an afternoon of games and challenges to see what life is like for animals in the woods. Practice camouflage, learn how animals hunt, build a forest shelter, and hone your fire-building skills. Children and adults will participate in this program and both must register and pay the program fee. Durant Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $10 Sep 3 Su 3:00-5:00pm to see you there! Lake Wheeler Park Make-n-Take Suncatchers Sep 16 Sa Mini Pumpkin Painting Oct 7 Sa 9:00-11:00am 9:00-11:00am

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Leisure Ledger September-December 2023 | parks.raleighnc.gov