Storywalk ®: Water Rolls, Water Rises (El Agua Rueda, el Agua Sube)
Thursday, September 1 - Friday, September 30
STORYWALK ®: WATER ROLLS, WATER RISES (El Agua Rueda, el Agua Sube)
Timberdoodle Trail, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Daily During Preserve Open Hours
Explore different water landscapes and cultural areas around the world with this poetic tale. This bilingual story in English and Spanish expresses the beauty of the natural world by the movement and moods of water around the world. In collaboration with the UIUC YMCA, this StoryWalk will be a part of Welcoming Week. Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. This self-guided activity will be set up along the Timberdoodle Trail at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. The StoryWalk® concept is an innovative way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Park at the Interpretive Center parking lot and follow the signs to the StoryWalk®. Visit any time during preserve open hours. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or [email protected]
Take a Child Outside Week Trail Trackdown
Friday, September 23-Friday October 14
TAKE A CHILD OUTSIDE WEEK TRAIL TRACKDOWN
Site-wide, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Daily During Preserve Open Hours
Take a Child Outside (TACO) week is September 24-30th, and we have a challenge that will get you outside and exploring at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. A special trail map will be available for pickup in the brochure holders at the Interpretive Center. This trail trackdown will take you all over the preserve, including Collins Pond and Hidden Acres. Trail markers will be placed along the trails, and a punch card will be included to help you track your adventure. Bring the completed punch card in to the Interpretive Center during open hours (Tuesday-Friday 1:00-5:00; Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4 p.m.) for a prize! This self-guided activity will be set up beginning on September 23 through October 14. Visit any time during preserve open hours. FREE. All Ages. For more info, (217) 896-2455 or [email protected]
Walk With A Naturalist
Friday, September 30
WALK WITH A NATURALIST
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 6:30-8 p.m.
Wrap up Take a Child Outside Week with a guided walk at sunset at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. We'll look for nocturnal critters and discuss what happens when the sun goes down. If there’s a specific topic you’re interested in discussing, let us know! Meet at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center. All ages. FREE. Space is limited; registration required by September 29 at ccfpd.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All attendees (adults and children) must register in advance. Current public health guidelines will be followed; programs may be altered or cancelled due to weather or COVID-19 related concerns. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or [email protected]
Registration link: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1582
HEALING PLANTS: NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTIONS TO NATURE FOR HEALTH AND HEALING
Wednesday, October 5
SPECIAL EXHIBIT SPEAKER SERIES
Online Event, Streaming on the Museum of the Grand Prairie Facebook & YouTube pages, 7 p.m.
Join us as we continue this special exhibit speaker series! Gina Roxas, a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Program Director for Trickster Cultural Center, will present this evening’s program. Gina will share how her traditional teachings have influenced her connections to land for healing. Be sure to visit the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s special exhibit “A History of Healing: Infectious Diseases and Community Responses to Defeat Them” to learn more about the use of medicinal plants in treating some infectious diseases in central Illinois and beyond. This program is supported in part by our friends at Illinois Humanities. FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or [email protected].
Seed Collection
Monday, October 10
Indigenous People's Day!
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Buffalo Trace Prairie, meet at the Museum of the Grand Prairie for 30 minute talk before seed collection (map)
950 N Lombard St, Mahomet, IL 61853 Join us for a short presentation in honor of Indigenous People's Day, prior to the seed collection. This is a great activity for all ages and volunteers who are comfortable standing and walking through tall prairie. No registration needed. We provide tools and brief training. Closed toe shoes and long pants are highly recommended. Look for signs leading to the 'volunteer event'. Weather cancellations will be posted on facebook.
INTRO TO LETTERBOXING
Wednesday, October 12
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 10-11:30 a.m
Ever wanted to go on a real-life treasure hunt? Attend this free training session to learn all about the art of Letterboxing, a unique treasure hunt that involves art, puzzle-solving, and using clues to find hidden objects. We will have resident experts on site sharing their knowledge and helping new or beginner Letterboxers get started with this popular hobby. Recommended for ages 10 & up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE. Space is limited; registration required by October 11 at ccfpd.org. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Program may be canceled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or [email protected].
Registration link: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1599
WILDERNESS LIVING SKILLS WORKSHOP
Friday, October 14-Sunday, October 16
Burr Oak Group Campground, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Spend 3 days camping in the hardwood forests of Illinois where you will learn to make use of the landscape around you. This is an exciting class with lots of hands-on practice in the essential skills of wilderness survival. Participants will learn to make rope, light fires with fire-by-friction, build a shelter that will keep you warm and dry, find food in the wild, and techniques of cooking food over a fire. All this while sleeping in the comfort of your own tent. Our instructors for this workshop are the highly experienced co-founders of Wild Nature Project. They have led this workshop at our location for 8 years, and we know you will enjoy them while learning so many new skills! $200 per person. Adults only. Space is limited; registration required by October 1 at ccfpd.org. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Programs may be altered or cancelled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or [email protected].
For more information about the campground: http://www.ccfpd.org/forest-preserve/middle-fork-river-champaign-county
Note: To help keep costs down, we do not provide food in this course.
Registration Link: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/activity/search/detail/1490
Friday, October 14
Join us for a guided walk along one of the trails at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. We’ll point out interesting plant species, birds, insects, and more! If there’s a specific topic you’re interested in discussing, let us know! Meet at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center. All ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE. Space is limited; registration required by October 13 at ccfpd.org. All attendees (adults and children) must register in advance.Current public health guidelines will be followed. Program may be canceled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or [email protected]
Registration link: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1597
HARVEST FEST
Saturday, October 15
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 2-5 p.m.
Autumn activities await you! Enjoy the fun traditions of the season, including pumpkin carving and decorating, hay-rack rides, apple peeling, and more! Register by October 12 to reserve a pumpkin. Pumpkins will be $5 each and quantities will be limited. All other program activities will be free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Program may be canceled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or [email protected].
Registration Link: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/activity/search/detail/1600
HALLOWEEN FUN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AT THE MUSEUM
Friday, October 21
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 2-4 p.m.
Halloween is right around the corner! Put on your costume (or not!) and join us at the Museum of the Grand Prairie! We will have various Halloween themed crafts to create, you can participate in a Halloween themed scavenger hunt outside and even learn about the history and culture of this fun holiday! All ages. FREE. No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Program may be canceled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or [email protected].
KIDS AND GERMS: CHILD HEALTH REFORM IN THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY
Thursday, October 27
Help us continue this special exhibit speaker series. In the period between 1880-1930 the new science of bacteriology revolutionized children’s medical care. It also produced a number of diverse and vibrant public health campaigns aimed at reducing high rates of infant and child mortality. Dr. Lynne Curry, Professor Emerita of History at Eastern Illinois University, will present this program examining local child health reform activities in the early twentieth century as a reflection of broader developments in the medical history of childhood. Be sure to visit the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s special exhibit “A History of Healing: Infectious Diseases and Community Responses to Defeat Them” to learn more about the impact of hard-hitting diseases and the effect they had on changing local healthcare systems. This program is supported in part by our friends at Illinois Humanities. FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or [email protected].
SEED SCATTER: PRAIRIE PLANTS AND MARIGOLDS
Saturday, October 29
Buffalo Trace Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join us as we explore Buffalo Trace Prairie and all the seeds ready to be harvested. We will discuss North American Tallgrass Prairie plants and the flower at the heart of Dia de los Muertos: the marigold. Ages 5-14. $3 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; registration required by Oct.ober 25 at ccfpd.org. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Program may be canceled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info:(217) 586-2612 or [email protected]
Registration link: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1601
EXPLORE ARCHAEOLOGY OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, November 5
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 1-4 p.m.
Join museum staff, members of the East Central Illinois Archaeological Society (ECIAS), and the Illinois State Archaeological Survey in exploring the wondrous field of archaeology. Enjoy special displays, dioramas, films, activities, and artifacts of interest to both adults and children. Both historical and prehistoric archaeology will be covered. At 2 p.m., Larry and Marilyn Kinsella, flintknappers and storytellers, will present a program titled "Stories 'N Stone." The presentation will focus on the importance of stone in tribal mythology and the daily lives of past peoples. FREE. All ages. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Program may be altered or canceled due to weather or health related concerns. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or [email protected]