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Environmental Activities
and Events for Kids
Explore Your World!
February
Monday, February 8, 2010
- Newport State Park, Ellison Bay, (920) 854-2500 or e-mail - Snowshoe Clinic. Join us at the Nature Center for an introduction to snowshoeing and a guided walk along the Upland Trail. Bring your own snowshoes. A limited number of snowshoes will be available free of charge. Sponsored by the Newport Wilderness Society and Bayshore Outdoor Store. Meet at the Nature Center in the Park Entrance Building. 10 a..m. - Noon.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
- Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Preschool Storytime: Turtle Time. Can you imagine carrying your house everywhere you go? Meet some turtles and watch them eat and move. This program is for preschoolers ages 3 - 5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult. It is not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
- Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 or e-mail - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents. Then a short activity will reinforce the story's nature-related theme. Nature Storytime generally lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Ice Age Center. 10 a.m.
- Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - An Evening with Nature: Wind Energy - Wildlife Interactions — What We Know and Don't Know. How many birds and bats does a modern wind turbine kill in a year? Noel Cutright of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology will answer this question and more, plus he will examine what goes into constructing a wind farm in Wisconsin. This program is most appropriate for adults and youth over the age of 10 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-high Naturalist. Bring your 3- to 5-year old to this fun and involving program. A new topic every month! Dress to be outside. Please call to pre-register. Program will go on regardless of weather but topic may change. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the visitor center and be prepared to drive. 10-11:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
- Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail -
Discovery Saturdays: Indoor Campout. Winter is a great time to go camping - indoors! Come inside to play and explore our indoor campsite. These activities are for everyone! Just drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and noon to participate in the fun. No admission sticker required.
- Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Learn to Ice Fish. Learn the tricks of winter fishing with some experienced ice anglers. We will start inside the warmed Mauthe Lake picnic shelter for a presentation on safety tips and appropriate gear and tackle. Then it's off to Mauthe Lake to try our best at luring those fish out of the water. Equipment, tackle and bait will be provided. This program is best for people over 6 years old. Call by February 10 to register. Special surprises await all who preregister. 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, 920-451-4080 - Valentine Candlelight Ski and Hike. Celebrate Valentines Day a bit early while enjoying the winter wonderland at night with family and friends. Ski or hike the 2-mile cross-country trail lit by almost 200 tiki torches. Warm up afterwards by the fireplace. Refreshments will be available in the heated shelter building. Please, no pets, snowshoes or sleds allowed. Cross-country ski trail. 6-9 p.m.
- Lake Kegonsa State Park, Stoughton, (608) 873-9695 - Candlelight Ski. Ski along 2 miles of trails lit with hundreds of glowing luminaries. Warm up by the bonfire when you are finished and enjoy refreshments sold by the Lake Kegonsa State Park Friends Group. Sorry, no pets or hikers are allowed on the cross-country ski trails. This event is weather and snow conditions permitting. 6-9 p.m.
- Lapham Peak Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Delafield, (262) 646-3025 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/hike. Enjoy a hike, a heated shelter, bonfire, refreshments, and live music. 6-9 p.m.
- Newport State Park, Ellison Bay, (920) 854-2500 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. Ski, hike or snowshoe an easy, 1-mile trail lit by homemade candles. Bonfire, lit grills, fireplace and refreshments will greet attendees at the end of the trail. Meet at the Fern/Europe Bay trailhead at the picnic area in parking lot #3. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Peshtigo River State Forest, Crivitz, (715) 757-3965 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski and Hike. Ski or hike along the Peshtigo River by candlelight. A two-mile trail will be lit for both classical and skating styles. Non-skiers can try an easy one-mile hiking trail. Warming fires and hot chocolate will be available. Spring Rapids Trailhead. Follow County Road W 5 miles west of Crivitz to Kirby Lake Lane. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Pike Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Hartford, (262) 670-3400 or e-mail - 21st Annual Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe. The lighted trail starts near the beach at the main parking lot. Popcorn and warm beverages will be available in the warming shelter with a big bonfire outside and a fireplace inside. The Northern Cross Science Foundation will set up telescopes to provide star viewing and instructions. The event is free, but a state park vehicle sticker is required for parking. Trail passes for skiing are not required for this event. Sponsored by the Friends of Pike Lake [exit DNR]. 6-9 p.m.
- Rib Mountain State Park, Wausau, (715) 842-2522 or e-mail - Candlelight Snowshoe. Snowshoe the trails at Rib Mountain State Park by candlelight. Snowshoe rentals, hot chocolate and other goodies will be available. For more information, call Nancy at (715) 359-9166. Sponsored by the Friends of Rib Mountain State Park [exit DNR]. 6-8 p.m.
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area , Kansasville -
- Workday. Need a service project or service hours? Want to help the environment and the park? Help at our workday! You may come for the whole time, for several hours, for one workday or for all of them. Most suitable for ages 10 and up. Please stop at the office when you arrive and you will get a free daily pass for your vehicle. Make sure you dress to be outside working. 9-11 a.m. (262) 878-5607 or e-mail
- Return to Romance. Warm someone's heart this Valentine's Day with a visit to the park. Enjoy a
candlelit walk, a bonfire, live music, fine desserts and warm drinks with your special someone(s). Please call to preregister and prepay the $5/adult and $1/child fees. Don't wait; this program fills fast! Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR].
Meet at the visitor center. 7-9 p.m. (262) 878-5600.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
- Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 or e-mail - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents. Then a short activity will reinforce the story's nature-related theme. Nature Storytime generally lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Ice Age Center. 10 a.m.
Friday, February 19, 2010
- Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Whose Tracks are These? Join us as we explore the woods and fields for animal tracks. We'll even discover a few tricks to determine whose tracks they are. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday-Sunday, February 20-21
- Sandhill Wildlife Area, Babcock, (715) 884-6333 or (715) 884-2437 - Timber Wolf Ecology Clinic. Learn about wolves' status, population biology, and field study techniques. Saturday afternoon will be spent outdoors exploring wolf habitat. Register by February 4 by sending $75 per person to Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, PO Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413. You may stay in the center's dorm on Friday night before the course for a donation of $15 per person per night. 9 a.m. Saturday to noon Sunday.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
- Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Winter NatureFest: Mammals - Surviving the Big Chill. How do mammals survive the cold of winter? Find out by participating in nature programs, mammal crafts, nature hikes, snowshoeing, horse-drawn wagon 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ice Age Visitor Center. No admission sticker required.
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Cross-country Ski Clinic. Bring your skis and join instructor John Meyer to learn about waxing and other skiing tips. The diagonal stride technique will be taught and practiced. Please call to preregister. Event is weather dependent. Meet at Shelter 1. 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
- Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Preschool Storytime: Nature's Treat, Something Sweet. Have you ever eaten maple syrup on your pancakes and wondered where the syrup comes from? Learn about maple trees and how we make this natural treat. This program is for preschoolers ages 3-5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult. It is not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
- Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 or e-mail - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents. Then a short activity will reinforce the story's nature-related theme. Nature Storytime generally lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Ice Age Center. 10 a.m.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
- Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area, New Auburn, (715) 967-2800 - Snowshoeing by Moonlight. Join Naturalists Rod Gont and Frank Lowly on 1-hour (2-hour option available) nighttime snowshoe hikes by moonlight. All ages are invited. More than 40 pairs of snowshoes for all ages are available for those without them Please call ahead to reserve. There's no charge, but donations are accepted. The visitor center will be open, with a fire in the fireplace. Cocoa and hot water will be available (but bring your own tea, soup, cups, etc.). Two outside fires for sitting by, roasting hot dogs (bring your own), making smores, etc. Meet at the Visitor Center. 6:30 p.m.
- Governor Thompson State Park, Crivitz, (715) 757-3979 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski and Hike. Enjoy the luminaries along a 1-mile trail groomed for both diagonal striding and skate skiing through the woods. Non-skiers are welcome to hike on another candlelit 1-mile trail with scenic views of Woods Lake. Hikers and pets are not allowed on the ski trail, but are welcome on the hiking trail. Warming fires and hot chocolate available at the shelter building. Woods Lake Shelter, Woods Lake Picnic Area. 6-9 p.m.
- Havenwoods State Forest , Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail -
Havenwoods Open House. Looking for some free activities to do? Come to Havenwoods and we'll have lots of fun nature activities inside and out for you and your family to participate in. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. No admission sticker required.
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Gourd Birdhouses. Turn a dried gourd into a beautiful birdhouse. Learn the process of cleaning, decorating and maintaining these natural homes. All materials supplied. Please call to preregister and prepay the $15 fee. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the visitor center. 9 a.m. - noon.
- Pattison State Park, Superior, (715) 399-3111 - 14th Annual Winter Funfest. Sponsored by the Friends of Pattison and Amnicon Falls state parks. A number of family activities will be offered including a craft activity, sledding, prizes, and a special appearance by Smokey Bear. Snowshoe lessons will be available, so bring your snowshoes. A limited number of snowshoes are available at the park. Visitors may also use the cross-country ski trails or do snowshoeing on their own. A concession stand will be available. Activities are free, but vehicles will need a vehicle admission sticker. 1-3:30 p.m.
Learn a New Skill
The Department of Natural Resources offers several classes to help you learn how to safely participate in many of Wisconsin's favorite sports. Simply click on the title of the sport listed below to find out more about it. These links leave EEK! and go to the main DNR pages.
Beginner Waterfowl Hunting Workshop at Sandhill
This one-day DNR workshop in early September has demonstrations on decoying, duck calling, hunting with dogs and goes through the basics of duck identification. Participants can also practice shot gunning on the range. This class is for kids age 12+ and is co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. A $15 fee includes lunch and refreshments. Please see the Sandhill Wildlife Area Web page for more details on the workshop or call 715-884-2437.
Waterfowl Hunter Education
Want to get started in the fine art of waterfowling? Here's your
chance to get started or brush up on your waterfowl hunting and
identification skills. This course covers waterfowl
identification by looking at bird wings, ecology and
management, hunting ethics, waterfowling history in Wisconsin,
duck and goose calling, decoy and blind use, hunting dogs and
training, boating safety skills, wading and waterfowl clothing,
and field dressing and cooking preparation of the bird. Free
classes are provided by the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association.
They recommend that you be at least 12 years old to participate.
Contact their office for class schedules at 1-800-524-8460.
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