• Sunrise Paddle

    Lake Chaminwood Preserve 24251 W. Shepley Rd., Minooka, IL, United States

    Calling all early birds to start the day on the water! Enjoy a tour of Lake Chaminwood as the sun rises and the wildlife begin to stir. Join interpretive naturalists to explore the nooks and crannies of Lake Chaminwood to see what we can find. Fee: $20

  • Morning Paddle

    Lake Chaminwood Preserve 24251 W. Shepley Rd., Minooka, IL, United States

    What better way to start the day than with a morning paddle! Join interpretive naturalists as we tour Lake Chaminwood to explore the preserve from the water. Fee: $20 per person. Age: Ages 13 and older. Registration required by Thursday, Sept. 5, by calling 815-727-8700 or online

  • Night Hike: Bats

    Messenger Woods Nature Preserve 13800 W. Bruce Rd., Homer Glen, IL, United States

    Bats have long been the subject of lore and myth. Separate fact from fiction as evening twilight descends upon the woodland then embark on a guided night hike to discover the diversity of bat species in Will County. Bat sounds undetected by human hearing will be revealed

  • Backpacking 101 Part 2: Training Hike

    McKinley Woods - Kerry Sheridan Grove 25055 Walnut Lane, Channahon, IL, United States

    For the second program in our backpacking series, it's time to start training! Learn how to pack your backpack and train with all that weight on your back. Let's get out on the I&M Canal State Trail for a 5-mile training hike on paved and limestone trails.

  • Playing the Past for Junior Girl Scouts

    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Step into the past at Isle a la Cache and experience life in 1750! A costumed interpreter will lead participants in character creation, games, chores and more. How were girls' experiences back then similar to today? How were they different? Experience it for yourself. This program meets

  • Take it Outside Hike: Wauponsee Walk

    Sugar Creek Administration Center 17540 W. Laraway Rd., Joliet, United States

    Join the fun and join the Goosechase! The Take It Outside challenge took Will County by storm in 2023, and all our favorite Goosechasers are welcome back along with new friends for our 2024 challenges! Come out for a seasonal hike for each of this year's campaigns

  • Indige-Facts Traveling Museum

    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Are Native Americans U.S. citizens? How many Indigenous people live in this country? Do all American Indians live on reservations? What are the right words to describe the people who have always lived here? It is common for people to have questions about the lives and experiences

  • Breakfast with the Birds

    Monee Reservoir 27341 S. Ridgeland, Monee, United States

    Start the day with a colorful display of red, yellow, blue and more. Monee Reservoir Visitor Center will open its doors early for bird viewing. A naturalist will offer bird information and identification as you enjoy a light continental breakfast provided for bird lovers. Sit on the

  • Pelican Party

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    The migrating American white pelicans are coming in for a landing here at Four Rivers! Enjoy seeing a pelican close up at one of the 45-minute live-bird presentations, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meet naturalists at each of the pelican hotspots to observe these huge

  • Recycle your Bicycle

    Recycle your Bicycle
    Monee Reservoir 27341 S. Ridgeland, Monee, United States

    Clean out the garage and make a difference by recycling your bicycle! The Forest Preserve District is collecting for Working Bikes, an organization that refurbishes and distributes bikes locally and globally as tools of empowerment. No bike is too old or rusty! Fee: Free! Age: All ages.

  • Recycle Your Bicycle

    Recycle Your Bicycle
    Monee Reservoir 27341 S. Ridgeland, Monee, United States

    Clean out the garage and make a difference by recycling your bicycle! The Forest Preserve District is collecting for Working Bikes, an organization that refurbishes and distributes bikes locally and globally as tools of empowerment. No bike is too old or rusty! Fee: Free! Age: All ages.

  • Franken-Fish Creations

    Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm 475 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook, IL, United States

    Create your own monster fish this spooky season. Visit the Tackle Box bait shop to receive crayons and a fish in need of color and life. Then explore Hidden Lakes Trout Farm to find textures to add as well as challenges that may add a few more

  • Spooky Scavenger Hunt at Four Rivers

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    Wear your favorite costume and search for spooktacular items in the forest with your friends and family or scout group! Some items may be natural, while other items may be SUPER-natural! Can you find them all as you meander through the forest? Stop by Four Rivers Environmental

  • Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Isle a la Cache

    Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Isle a la Cache
    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

  • Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Goodenow Grove

    Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Goodenow Grove
    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

    Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

  • Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Isle a la Cache

    Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Isle a la Cache
    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

  • Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Goodenow Grove

    Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Goodenow Grove
    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

    Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

  • Fall Colors Hike

    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

    Fall in the forest is an experience of the senses. The air feels cool and crisp with hints of earthy smells. The trees are a collage of oranges, yellows and reds until their leaves turn brown, fall and become crunchy under your feet. Embrace these natural wonders

  • BYOB Nature Stories Around the Campfire

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    Do you have memorable, magical moments in nature that have inspired, amazed or surprised you? Come celebrate National Storytelling Day with an evening campfire and the camaraderie of fellow nature lovers. Bring a camping chair, beverages (beer and wine only for alcoholic drinks) and a story to

  • Junior Archeologists

    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Celebrate International Archaeology Day with a naturalist as we dig deeper into the role of an archaeologist. What do they do? Where do they go? What do they find? Participants will have the chance to be archaeologists themselves as we piece together clues about history and humankind.

  • Sensory Sunday

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    Experience the exhibits and trails of Four Rivers on your own terms. This independent program is for guests with sensory-processing needs, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and those who would benefit from a small-group experience. Buddy bags with sensory gadgets and a limited supply of noise-canceling headphones

  • Meet a Beekeeper

    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

    Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.

  • Nature Play Day After Hours: Mushrooms and More

    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

    Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds. The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out the important jobs they do. Fee:

  • Nature Play Day: Mushrooms & More

    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

    Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers to enjoy together! The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out

  • Indige-Facts

    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    This ongoing program runs from Saturday, Sept. 21, to Sunday, Dec. 8. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Are Native Americans U.S. citizens? How many Indigenous people live in this country? Do all American Indians live