Leisure Ledger September - December 2023

September 24-30, 2023

Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources invites you to join our celebration of Take a Child Outside (TACO) Week! This annual event encourages children and families across the country to get outside, explore, and learn more about the local environment. What will you discover about yourself or your backyard? Join one – or many- of our special programs this week to learn, play, and spend time together in the wonderful world outdoors. All programs are FREE unless otherwise listed. Take A Child Outside Week

TREEmendous Trees Ages: Preschool. Preschoolers will explore the woods and discover the wonders of trees. We will learn how trees grow and how they change as the seasons change. Songs, stories and crafts await your little learner. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults. For more information, contact Nature Programs at 919-996-6856. Dix Park Sept 25 M 10:30-11:30am Lake Lynn Park Sept 26 Tu Activity Code: NPTREES-003, 004, 005 TACO Week: Fishing 101 Age: 6+. Get hooked on fishing by joining us for a fun casting lesson before we send you out to catch the BIG one off our fishing dock. Fishing poles and bait will be provided. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must register and pay the program fee. Durant Nature Preserve Sept 25 M 3:00-4:00pm Activity Code: DUNPTACOFISH TACO Week: Family Nature Fun All ages. Join us in celebrating Take a Child Outside (TACO) week with the City of Raleigh and Outdoor Recreation Parks by participating in one of the many programs offered throughout the week. Join us at Lake Wheeler Park for a fun morning of exploring nature. Participants will go on a guided hike to explore the plants and wildlife that call Lake Wheeler home and will make a nature-themed craft to take home. These walks are designed for the whole family. Routes and topics will be tailored to accommodate the group. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Pre-registration is required, so sign up today! Lake Wheeler Park Sept 26 Tu 10:30am-12:00pm Activity Code: WCNPTACODENDRO 10:30-11:30am 12:30-1:30pm Shelley Lake Park Sept 28 F 10:30-11:30am

TACO Week: Adventure Play Day Ages: 2-12. New adventures in Forest Ridge Park's nature play area await! Dig for shark teeth and fossils, build a primitive debris shelter, build with the park's fort building kit, or improve your riding skills all while having fun! We will have fort building supplies for children ages 6-12 and a balance bike obstacle course for children ages 2-6. All materials, including balance bikes and helmets, are provided. Adults must accompany their children. Forest Ridge Park Sept 25 M 10:00am-12:00pm Activity Code: FRORADVDAY-004/005 TACO Week: Dendrology for Kids Ages 6-13. Have you ever noticed just how many kinds of trees there are? Short ones, tall ones, fat ones, skinny ones. Some that have leaves, some that have needles. Some are easy to climb and some even have thorns! Dendrology is the study of trees. In this FREETACO program, kids will learn about trees and learn how to identify the

trees that live around us. Hugging of trees is optional. Come dressed to spend the program outdoors. After all, that’s where the trees are! Walnut Creek Wetland Park Sept 24 Su 1:30-3:00pm Activity Code: WCNPTACODENDRO TACO Week: Navigating the Wilderness Ages 13-16. How would you get around the wilderness if your phone and GPS lost power or broke altogether? This course will take you on a journey off the trails inside Lake Johnson Park. You will learn how to how to take bearings, read a topographic map, read a compass, understand triangulation, and much more. No prior experience is necessary. Adult(s) are not required to accompany participant(s). This program is designed to give adult(s) time to enjoy the park while the participant(s) enjoys the program. Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center Sept 24 Su 1:00-3:00pm Activity Code: LJORTACO-001

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Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources