June is Leave No Child Inside Month!

Chicago Wilderness and it's member organizations are getting excited for the 2013 Leave No Child Inside month. Our members and partners have organized large collaborative events and individual programs throughout the month of June. Children and adults can participate in the wide array of family-friendly events such as birdwatching from a canoe, catch and release fishing, playing in the mud, and many more activities designed to nurture the children’s sense of wonder and discovery.

This year, our goal is to engage more than 15,000 children and adults and we hope that you will help us reach that goal! Whether you are a Chicago Wilderness member, parent, teacher, caretaker, or community organizer, help us spread the word about LNCI month to your families, friends, neighbors and more! Please share this website or interactive map of all the LNCI Month events.

Village of Homer Glen Earth Day and Arbor Day
Saturday, May 18, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Konow Farm, Homer Glen, IL
Come out for a festival day full of fun featuring Cold Blooded Creatures, Big Run Wolf Ranch, Incredible Bats, pony rides, hay rides, petting zoo, arts & craft vendors and sales, craft demonstrations, falconry, antique cars, green solutions and hands-on children activities. Free admission & free parking. 

Prairie Pedal at Prairie Crossing Charter School
Sunday, May 19, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake, IL
Prairie Pedal is a family-focused bicycle ride and festival that includes multiple bicycle routes to accommodate the abilities and desires of everyone who wants to ride. Nature-based activities are interspersed along the routes, allowing children and adults to enjoy the opportunity to interact with natural open spaces. For more information, visit the Prairie Crossing Charter School website. Children under five can participate for free. Register at http://prairiepedal.eventbrite.com

Outdoor Adventure Day
Sunday, May 19, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Morton Arboretum
Test your adventurousness at slack-lining and rock-wall climbing. Watch stand-up paddle-boarding demonstrations or take part in free, 40-minute classes (first come, first served): Hiking Basics (11:00 AM and 2:00 PM); Map and Compass Basics (12:00 PM). Plus, drop-in presentations throughout the day include bike maintenance, camping set-up, and yoga in the outdoors. Sponsored by REI. Free with Arboretum admission.

Family Field Day at St. James Farm
Saturday, May 25, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at St. James Farm, Warrenville, IL
Enjoy a special celebration at this historic DuPage County Forest Preserve, featuring canine and equestrian performances, tours, nature-based kids' activities, antique tractor displays, a  bluegrass music stage and more.  

Family Adventure Day: Leave No Child Inside Kick-Off
Saturday, June 1, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Northerly Island
Enjoy an adventure with your family at a natural area right on Chicago's lakefront. Chicago Park District's Family Adventure Day will offer families the opportunity to explore the great outdoors on Northerly Island, focusing on nature activities such as fort building, kite flying, nature hikes, fishing, creating nature-inspired crafts, and much more. This day of outdoor fun is targeted towards early childhood aged children, but has activities available for kids of all ages.

What 2 Know B4 U Go!
Saturday, June 1, 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, Benedictine University
Attend a workshop to learn about the practical and philosophical skills necessary to comfortably survive outdoors in any situation. Designed for individuals and families with youngsters with limited experience in the outdoors, the workshop will feature storytelling and hands-on outdoor activities such as shelter building, tool-making, animal-tracking and more. Please register by May 24 to JuricaSuchyMuseum@ben.edu or at 630-829-6531. 

Families Grow Together: Magical Container Gardening
Saturday, June 1, 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, IL
Explore the Children's Garden at the Morton Arboretum and create a magical container garden with your family to take home, perfect for attracting fairies, gnomes and tiny animals! For families with children of all ages. Cost: $10 Morton Arboretum member, $17 nonmember per person including admission. Register at mortonarb.org/education or by calling 630-719-2468.

Urban Bird Celebration
Saturday, June 1, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
Enjoy a variety of hands on activities, projects and games such as gardening for birds, using binoculars and spotting scopes, creating a pinecone bird feeder, and dissecting owl pellets ($2 donation). Each station will have a guide to help you gain a deeper insight into the world of birds. Event is free and open to everyone! Visit www.lakekatherine.org or call 708-361-1873 for additional information.

Life Under a Log
Saturday, June 1, 1:30 PM at the River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, IL
Explore the life forms that live in, on and under a rotting tree. Naturalist Brian Winters will lead the exploration of this habitat. 

Fishin' Buddies Hike-A-Thon!
Saturday, June 1, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Sandhill Ridge Nature Center 
Gather family, friends, and co-workers to participate in this one-of-a-kind fun, recreational and nature-connecting outdoor event.  Register to hike as an individual, create a team of hikers, or join a team to help support the Fishin' Buddies. The event is hosted in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and over 100 local conservation organizations, schools, businesses and clubs support this event as hikers, volunteers and sponsors.

Things That Make You Go...
Saturday, June 1, 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Red Oaks Nature Center, Batavia, IL 
It's time for our favorite topics: things that make you go ewww, ouch and ohh! Join us for all three, two or just one. They are all eye-openers to another side of the natural world. Recommended for children ages 6 to 9. Please register here.

Take a Hike!
Saturday, June 1, 8:30 to 10:00 AM at Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Celebrate National Trails Day and the start of Great Outdoors Week as we search for local wildlife that inhabits Homer Lake Forest Preserve. Our morning hike will begin and end at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center. Free. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or sdonovan@ccfpd.org.

Learn and Preserve Nature
Saturday, June 8, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Skokie Lagoons
Come learn about how the waterways of the Skokie Lagoons were formed while participating in a fun family stewardship restoration project. For safety, any children age 13 and under must be accompanied by a guardian. For more information about this Backyard Nature Center event, contact Katie DeVogelaere at kdevogelaere@backyardnaturecenter.org.

National Get Outdoors Day Picnic and Open House at Dunes Learning Center
Saturday, June 8, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Dunes Learning Center, Chesterton, IN
Located inside Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the Center will host a day of outdoor family fun including trail hikes, river exploration, kayak demonstrations, camp crafts and lunch on the lawn. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.duneslearningcenter.org.

Beaubien Woods Celebration & Environmental Day
Saturday, June 8, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Beaubien Woods Picnic Pavilion, Chicago, IL
Several environmental and conservation organizations are hosting a day-long celebration featuring activities such as guided hikes, canoeing and fishing on the lake, nature and art projects, yoga classes, scavenger hunts, and more. Refreshments will be provided, but everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic lunch. Admission is free and the event is rain or shine. 

Mud Stew: A Play Date for Kids and Their Adults
Saturday, June 8, 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Natural Playscape, Homer Lake Forest Preserve
June 8th is National Get Outdoors Day. Celebrate this unique holiday and the start of June’s “Leave No Child Inside Month.” What were your favorite things to do outside when you were young? Catch bugs; build forts; dig holes; search for treasure; concoct potions, mud pies, and mud stew? Parents and caregivers, bring your kids out to the Homer Lake Natural Playscape as we reconnect kids with the joy of free-play outdoors! Remember to dress to get dirty. Free. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or sdonovan@ccfpd.org.

Family Twilight Adventures
Saturday, June 8, 6:00 to 8:00 PM or Friday, June 14, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
A fun-filled after-hours adventure, designed for families with children under 10. Hike, do activities and roast marshmallows before going on a silent tram ride through the woods after dark. See what animals come out when people go home and go on a nighttime sensory expedition! Note: Children must be accompanied by adult registrant; one adult per five children. Cost: $16 Morton Arboretum member, $19 nonmember including admission. Children under 2 years old free with accompanying adult. Register at mortonarb.org/education or by calling 630-719-2468.

Family Overnights on the Farm
Friday, June 7, 6:00 pm to Saturday, June 8, 10:00 am at McDonald Farm, Naperville, IL
Pitch a tent on our Great Lawn and enjoy an evening full of fun. Bring your own picnic dinner, enjoy a campfire, singing, night hikes and star-gazing. In the morning we will provide a cold breakfast and families can leave at their leisure. Cooperative program hosted by the Green Earth Institute and The Conservation Foundation. Visit www.greenearthinstitute.org for additional information and to register.

Family Fishing Day
Saturday, June 8, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Garden
Fishing, food and fun for the whole family! This annual event is scheduled to coincide with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources “Free Fishing Days." No fishing license is required during this once a year respite. All participants will be included in a free raffle for fun surprises. Join us for a morning, afternoon, or all-day fishing session. Spaces are limited, so register for one of these sessions listed below. Visit www.lakekatherine.org or call 708-361-1873 for additional information.

Morning session (8:00 to 11:00 am): $15
Afternoon session (12:00 to 3:00 pm): $15
All-Day Session (8:00 am to 3:00 pm): $25

Serosun Farms Leave No Child Inside Celebration
Saturday, June 8, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Serosun Farms, Hampshire, IL
Serosun Farms, together with The Conservation Foundation, Pizzo & Associates, and the Fox Valley Wildlife Center, is hosting a fun-filled day of outdoor activities such as nature hikes, invasive plant removal, stream restoration, garden play, and catch the critter! Lunch will be provided in addition to wildlife demonstrations by the Fox Valley Wildlife Center. Please RSVP to RSVP@serosunfarms.com or click here to fill out an online registration form. 

CUAS Starwatch
Saturday, June 8, 8:30 PM to 12:00 AM at Activity Center, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day by spending an evening under the stars. The Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society will bring telescopes and expertise! Meet at the Activity Center at 8:30 p.m. for a short presentation by Staerkel Planetarium Director David Leake. Then drive to the North Waterfowl Management Area to view the stars, planets, and more! Weather-permitting, the program will go until midnight. No cloud date. Free. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or sdonovan@ccfpd.org.

Bat Festival
Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9, 2013 12:00 to 5:00 PM at The Grove, Glenview, IL
Discover the truth about these flying mammals -- they are essential for pollination, seed dispersal, insect control and so much more! Fun for the entire family! Crafts, storytelling, and bat encounters with Scott Heinrichs, director of the “Flying Fox International”. For more information, visit www.thegroveglenview.org

Explore the Forest
Sunday, June 9, 12:00 to 4:00 PM at Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills, IL
Dive in to summer and experience the many ways the Forest Preserve District of Cook County has been fulfilling its mission to preserve, protect and restore our local scenic beauty and biodiversity. Kids will have the opportunity to cast fishing poles, ride bikes, and play in the Explore Nature area while parents can speak with a wildlife biologist, ecologist or police officer, get a free bike tune-up and learn about all our recreation and volunteering opportunities. For more information, visit fpdcc.com/events.

Fermilab Family Outdoor Fair
Sunday, June 9, 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Fermilab Lederman Science Center
Bring your family and explore the outside at Fermilab Natural Area. Enjoy a range of activities such as sweeping for insects, netting pond critters, learing how raptors see, visiting with bison, walking through the prairie, and more. For more information, visit the event website, call 630-840-5588 or email edreg@fnal.org.

Kids Nature FunFest
Sunday, June 9, 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Greenbelt Cultural Center, North Chicago, IL

Kids ages 4 to 12 explore nature with outdoor play and fun activities, including face painting, crafts, games, prizes and refreshments. 

The Un-Buried Treasure Hunt
Sunday, June 16, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, IL
Steal a treasure map and decode the clues along the trails to find the un-buried treasure. Stop by the nature center anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to pick up a map and start exploring the trails!

Sleep Under the Skyscrapers: Outdoor Campout
Friday, June 21 at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
The night begins with pitching tents and having dinner. Then visit some of the zoo animals, enjoy a campfire and s’mores, and learn the basics about spending time in the wilderness. Spend time relaxing at your campsite before you -- and the rest of the zoo -- turn in for the night. Wake up to the calls of gibbons and flamingos and grab some breakfast before taking a leisurely morning hike to Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. For availability and program fees, visit the registration page.

Children's Garden Campout
Friday, June 21, 6:30 PM to Saturday, June 22, 9:30 AM at the Morton Arboretum
Pitch a tent and enjoy hands-on activities, night hikes, and bedtime stories with your family. In the morning, have a light breakfast and explore the garden before it opens. For families with children ages 2 & up. Tents are not provided, please bring your own. Register here.

Summer Solstice Hike
Friday, June 21, 8:00 to 9:00 AM at Red Oaks Nature Center, Batavia, IL 
What better way to begin the season than a morning hike on the first day of summer? Participants will take a stroll to check out early signs of summertime and enjoy a light breakfast. All participants must be registered and children accompanied by an adult. Please register here. 

Get Outside And Grow: Families Together in Nature
Saturday, June 22, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM at Glacial Park’s Lost Valley Visitor Center
Would you like to encourage your child’s curiosity for nature? Or maybe you want to encourage them to put down the TV or game remote and get outside more? Research shows that people who spend time in nature enjoy many emotional and physical benefits. Join us for a day of activities that will help the whole family to get outside and grow together. In the morning, children and parents will be split – parents will learn how to feel more comfortable playing outside with their kids and kids will learn how to overcome some of their fears of the outdoor world. After a picnic lunch and a visit from a local author, everyone comes together to experience fun outdoor activities in the conservation area. Each family will take home an activity backpack and the knowledge to continue outdoor explorations for months and years to come. A continental breakfast will be provided; please bring your own sack lunches. The program is free. To register, visit the McHenry County Conservation District website.

Saturday Morning Families on the Farm
Saturday, June 22, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at McDonald Farm, Naperville, IL
Come and enjoy McDonald Farm with your family. Tour the farm, learn about its history and harvest, clean and eat fresh veggies. Participate in guided and self-guided nature and fun family activities. Cooperative program hosted by the Green Earth Institute and The Conservation Foundation. Visitwww.greenearthinstitute.org for additional information and to register.

Get Out and Go! Family Treasure Hunt
Sunday, June 23, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Registration takes place at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Avenue, Glenview, IL
Have you ever really looked at what’s around you? Discover some hidden secrets as you take part in Glenview's family treasure hunt. Enjoy the natural beauty of Gallery Park and Air Station Prairie as you walk/skate/ride your bike on the hunt for treasure. Search for clues along the banks of Lake Glenview, discover new facts about Gallery Park, and learn why the Tyner Center is so green! Earn points for every clue you solve, and find out what is waiting for those who complete all tasks at the end of the treasure hunt! For more information, visit www.airstationprairie.org

Take Me Fishing
Saturday, June 29, 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Walnut Hill Shelter, Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Did you know that fishing promotes healthy minds and bodies? Bring your family and friends out to the forest preserves for some free fishing fun! There will be kids' awards, activities, and more! Basic fishing instruction will be available to beginners. The Illinois fishing license requirement has been waived for this event; all fishing is catch-and-release. Cane poles and bait are available to use, but you are welcome to bring your own. Adult supervision of children is required. Free. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or sdonovan@ccfpd.org.