Free Summer Programs
Volo Bog State Natural Area
Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam
Close to home and free - what could be better?!

Donations are happily accepted by the sites’ associated Friends groups. For membership and other information visit www.FriendsofVoloBog.org and www.FriendsofMoraineHillsStatePark.org

Encouraging families to--- Leave No Child Inside!

Reservations are requested for most programs - Phone 815-344-1294

Limited drop-ins welcome but some...

programs may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Due to computer restructuring, some of the programs listed are already past, but I wanted to include them anyway for the record ;0). We appreciate your understanding and patience as we get reorganized!   SI

Guided Tours of Volo Bog

Most Saturdays & Sundays LNCI! 11:00 am & 1:00 pm

Delicate orchids, fragrant milkweeds, golden tickseeds -- summer is a progression of botanical delights in Volo Bog! No reservations are required. Groups of 10 or more, please phone 815-344-1294 for special arrangements. All ages welcome (minimum age 5 recommended). Tours are about one hour.

 

Bird Walks at McHenry Dam    LNCI!    Saturdays & Sundays

June 7, 21; July 5, 19; August 2, 16 8:00 a.m. Meet at south end of McHenry Dam Parking

Enjoy resident ducks, waders, raptors, songbirds and other birds of summer! Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or borrow ours. Walk length and time varies from 1 - 3+ hours with weather & luck in birding! Walks are co-sponsored by McHenry County Audubon and led by its members. Geared to adults (& attentive kids 7 yrs. & up)

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

 

Bird Walks at Volo Bog State Natural Area    LNCI!    Saturdays & Sundays

June 15, 28; July 12, 27; August 23, 31; 8:00 a.m. Meet in the Parking Lot

Enjoy resident nesting birds from a variety of habitats at Volo Bog SNA. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or borrow ours. Walk length and time varies from 1 - 3+ hours with weather & luck in birding! Walks are co-sponsored by McHenry County Audubon and led by its members. Geared to adults (& attentive kids 7 yrs. & up)

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Bird Walks are recurring programs throughout the year.

 

Family Fishing Day with Friends of Moraine Hills State Park at McHenry Dam

Sunday, June 8 12 Noon - 4 p.m.

Introduce your family to the fun of fishing with the Friends of Moraine Hills State Park.

Meet at the north end of McHenry Dam Day Use Area. Program is geared to youngsters up to age 15 with a responsible adult. Everything is FREE - Loaner Rods, Reels & Tackle; Handouts; Instructions provided by experienced FOMHSP anglers! Free Refreshments for kids up to 15 years old! (courtesy FOMHSP) Please Pre-register at 815-344-1294! Group size is limited to 30; Walk-ins taken if space is available. Free Fishing for All- June 6 - 9 is Illinois Free Fishing Days

 

Of Bogs & Books Discussion group meets at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Second Saturdays of each month 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Adults share morning coffee & snacks over a discussion of nature, science & environmental readings.

June 14: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

July 12: Of Prairie, Woods & Water: Two Centuries of Chicago Nature Writing by Joel Greenberg (Hear Joel share some stories on July 27th at International Bog Day)

July's participants will choose autumn's reading selections.

August 9: Coyote - Seeking the Hunter in Our Midst by Catherine Reid

Reservations are requested - Drop-ins welcome.

 

ShutterBugs of Volo Bog - A Photography Club Third Wednesdays

June 18, July 16, Aug. 20 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The ShutterBugs of Volo Bog's meetings include how-to workshops, guest speakers & member competitions. Non-members are invited to attend but membership is required to compete. No reservations needed.

 

Astronomy Nights at Volo Bog with the Lake County Astronomical Society

Third Fridays of each month June 20, July 18, Aug. members only 8:30 a.m. - open

The Lake County Astronomical Society meets at Volo Bog on the 3rd Friday of each month except December. A 7:30 p.m. business meeting is followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear about 9:30 p.m. The public is generally welcome! LCAS memberships are available. No reservations needed.

 

Friends of Volo Bog & ShutterBugs Annual Picnic & Meeting

Sunday, June 22     LNCI!     12 noon - 3:00 p.m.

Join the FOVB & ShutterBugs members at their annual feast! Bring your family, your own eating utensils and some yard toys (optional), and join the fun. The FOVB provides the food - please phone with reservations no later than 3pm June 20. Open to members only.  New Members Welcome - Memberships starting at $5.00 are available at the picnic.

 

Moraine Meanders at Moraine Hills State Park

Fourth Saturdays LNCI! 10 am - 12 Noon

June 28 at Oak Opening Parking

July 26 at Whitetail Prairie Parking (followed by the FOMHSP Members' Picnic)

Moraine Meanders explore nature throughout the seasons in a variety of habitats. The surprise theme each month is based on "What's Happening Now!" Nature Activities are woven into these morning hikes making them ideal for the kids and the Young-at-Heart. All ages are welcome. No Reservations needed.

 

Bog Saunters at Volo Bog

First Saturdays of odd months and First Sundays on even months LNCI! 9:00 am – 10:30 am

July 5 at Visitors Center

August 3 at Visitors Center

Bog Saunters explore nature throughout the seasons in a variety of habitats. The surprise theme each month is based on "What's Happening Now!" Nature Activities are woven into these morning hikes making them ideal for the kids and the Young-at-Heart. All ages are welcome. No Reservations needed.

 

 

Arthropod Adventures at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturday, July 5 LNCI! 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Sweep prairie and old fields in search of our most fascinating little neighbors. Some have six legs, some eight. All will delight! We'll end with a sharing circle. Ages 5 - Adult

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

 

Hummingbird Festival at Volo Bog State Natural Area!

Sunday, July 6 LNCI! 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon Presentation with Vern Kleen

12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Banding Demonstrations

Meet our local Ruby-throated Hummers with licensed bander Vernon Kleen of the Illinois Audubon Society. Vern will begin with an indoor presentation (ages 10 & up) then spend the afternoon capturing & banding. Participants may adopt a hummer for $5.00 and receive email reports if the bird is re-caught! Proceeds go to IAS Land Acquisition fund. All Ages Welcome to the banding. Reservations are requested for the 11 am presentation - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Please see attached for full details!

 

Dragonfly Walk at McHenry Dam

Sunday, July 13 LNCI! 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Dragonfly Monitor Yvette Liautaud leads this two mile leisurely walk around the Black Tern Marsh (Yellow loop trail). Bring your close-focus binoculars or borrow ours. Meet at the south end of the McHenry Dam parking area. Adults & interested youth 9 & older. Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

 

Mid Summer Wetland Botany at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Sunday, July 13 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Discover rose pogonia orchids, skullcaps, arrowhead, boneset, willow herbs and perhaps some smartweeds too. The ever-present carnivorous pitcher plants, poison sumac, ferns and tamarack trees all add interest to this workshop which includes both a classroom and field session. Geared to adults but interested youth are encouraged to attend.  Geared to adults and interested youth ages 12 & up.

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

 

Friends of Moraine Hills State Park Summer Picnic     LNCI!

with Annual Meeting & Membership Invite

Saturday, July 26 12:00 Noon - 3:00 p.m. Whitetail Prairie Picnic & Playground Area

(join us also at 10 am for a Moraine Meander)

Bring your family, your own eating utensils and some yard toys (optional), and join the fun. The FOMHSP provides the food to all paid members so - please phone 815-344-1294 with reservations no later than 3pm July 22. Open to members only. New Memberships starting at $5.00 are available at the picnic. Visit! www.FriendsofMoraineHillsStatePark.org

 

International Bog Day!

Sunday, July 27 Open House Noon - 4 p.m.

IBD is celebrated in Europe and Canada... Now WE'RE bringing it to the U.S.!

First Annual Summer Bog Art Show

Artists’ Reception

12 - 1 pm

 

Stories from the Land

a multi-media presentation featuring Joel Greenberg

with Musicians Chris & Tom Kastle

1 - 2 pm & 3 - 4 pm

 

Bodhran - Fun with Irish Drums

with John Seaton & the "New Students"

2 - 3 pm

(lessons with John from 12 - 1 pm upstairs)

 

Guest Artisans

 

Bog Tours     Kids Bog Crafts     Bog Dogs

OPEN HOUSE!  No Reservations Needed

 

 

Bats in Your Belfry???

Spend a night with bats at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Friday, August 1 & Saturday August 2   LNCI!   7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Advanced Reservations REQUIRED - Phone 815-344-1294.

Come get to know these fascinating mammals! After a slide show intro and discussion, we'll visit Illinois' largest known nursery colony of little brown bats. Part of the program is outside: bring lawn chairs, blankets, binoculars & insect repellent (please don't pre-apply repellent!).  LNCI!   Ages 7 - Adult    Pre-registration is REQUIRED!!!  NO WALKINS!

 

Trail of Twelve Trees at Volo Bog State Natural Area

A Self-Paced Discovery Trail            LNCI!

Sat. Aug 2 & Sun. Aug 3    Free Stuff    10 a.m.-3 p.m.*

Have you always wanted to learn to identify trees? Have you wondered how they function? What they provide for us and other animals? Check in at the Visitor Center for your scavenger hunt instructions then go on a short hike to discover some of the common species that grow at Volo Bog State Natural Area! All ages welcome! Groups too! LNCI!   *Stop by for an hour or so!  NO Reservations needed.

 

Late Summer Wetland Botany at Volo Bog

Saturday, September 6 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Follows 9:00 a.m. Bog Saunter)

Bring along your favorite field guides and a magnifying glass. The workshop includes both a classroom and field session; dress accordingly. Geared to adults but interested youth are encouraged to attend.  Geared to adults and interested youth ages 12 & up.

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

 

 

Stacy L. Iwanicki

Natural Resources (Education) Coordinator

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Volo Bog State Natural Area

28478 W. Brandenburg Road

Ingleside, IL  60041

815-344-1294

dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/interprt/volo/volobog.htm

and

Moraine Hills State Park

1510 South River Road

McHenry, IL  60051

(Contact through VBSNA)

 

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