Upcoming Public Programs - Ney Nature Center

Click here to view our Public Programs Cancellation Policy

NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Myths of Native American History

Thursday, November 15th 12-1:30pm

Designed for adults interested in learning more about wildlife, history, and conservation issues. In November, learn about myths of native american history with author, Paul Jentz. Lunch included. Ages 50+. Please indicate any dietary needs when registering.

$10/member or $12/non-member

Reservations required. THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL. Please scroll down to view other upcoming Ney Senior Learning Series programs.

HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Survival Skills

Wednesday, November 21st 1-3pm

Programs designed just for homeschool classes! In Nonmember, learn about outdoor survival and practice life-saving skills including shelter construction and fire building. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 8+.

$5/student

Burn Off the Turkey Hike

Saturday, November 24th 10am-12pm

Burn off those Thanksgiving calories by taking an intermediate hike on the Nature Center trails. Ages 8+.

$3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+

SCOUTS ONLY: Survival Skills

Saturday, November 24th 1-3pm

Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and American Heritage Girls are invited to join us for these exciting adventures! In November, learn about outdoor survival and practice life-saving skills including shelter construction and fire building. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 8+.

$5/scout

Wood ducks

Carving Club

Sunday, November 25th 1-3pm

Participants receive hands on lessons regarding the fundamentals of wood carving from talented instructor, Ollie Heitkamp. Participants are responsible for bringing their own basic supplies. Ages 12+.

$15/member project or $20/non-member project; Contact Josh to register.

Ollie’s Reading Club

Saturday, December 1st 11am-12pm

Read a new nature-themed book each month. Upon completion of the book, discuss your opinions and your insights with founding member, Ollie Heitkamp. All ages.

FREE! Register by calling the office. Reservations required.

Ride the Ney – Mountain Biking

Saturday, December 1st 11am-1:30pm

Fat tires? Skinny tires? All bikes welcome! Meet at the NNC Mountain Bike Trailhead. Beverages and food for sale. Door prize drawing at 1:30pm.

FREE! Pre-registration is not required for this event.

Bird ID Program

Sunday, December 9th 1-3pm

Prepare for the Christmas Bird Count or simply freshen up your bird identification skills. Learn the basics of using a birding field guide, identify local birds, and go over feeding techniques for backyard birds. All ages.

$3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+

Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, December 15th

Help the Ney Nature Center to record resident and migratory bird statistics. Count from home or join us at the Education Building between 8:30am and 4:30pm. All ages. Click here for more details.

FREE! Pre-registration is not required for this event.

NATURAL WONDERS PRESCHOOL SERIES: Way Up in the Sky

Wednesday, December 19th 10-11am

Adults and preschoolers enjoy time together with crafts, stories, and outdoor activities. Ages 3-6 plus an adult.

$5/child

HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Geocaching for S’mores

Wednesday, December 19th 1-2:30pm

Programs designed just for homeschool classes! In December, embark on a technology-based scavenger hunt while searching for a tasty treat. All equipment provided. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 5+.

$5/student

NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Aquatic Invasive Species

Thursday, December 20th 12-1:30pm

Designed for adults interested in learning more about wildlife, history, and conservation issues. In December, learn about aquatic invasive species with DNR Specialist, Allison Gamble. Lunch included. Ages 50+.

$10/member or $12/non-member

Winter Explorers Camp

December 26-28th (Wednesday – Friday) 9am-4pm

Winter break doesn’t have to be a bore! Snowshoeing, snow-forts, and more! Ages 6-13.

$84/member child or $99/non-member child.

Wood ducks

Carving Club

Sunday, December 30th 1-3pm

$15/member project or $20/non-member project; Contact Josh to register.

Ollie’s Reading Club

Saturday, January 5th 11am-12pm

Read a new nature-themed book each month. Upon completion of the book, discuss your opinions and your insights with founding member, Ollie Heitkamp. All ages.

FREE! Register by calling the office. Reservations required.

SCOUTS ONLY: Snowshoeing

Saturday, January 12th 10-11:30am

Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and American Heritage Girls are invited to join us for these exciting adventures! In January, learn about snowshoe history and techniques before embarking on a guided snowshoe hike with a naturalist guide. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 7+.

$5/scout

Family Snowshoeing

Saturday, January 12th 1-2:30pm

Learn about snowshoe history and techniques before embarking on a snowshoe hike with a naturalist guide. Ages 7+.

$3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+.

NATURAL WONDERS PRESCHOOL SERIES: Under the Snow

Tuesday, January 15th 10-11am

Adults and preschoolers enjoy time together with crafts, stories, and outdoor activities. Ages 3-6 plus an adult.

$5/child

HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Snowshoeing

Tuesday, January 15th 1-2:30pm

Programs designed just for homeschool classes! In January, learn about snowshoe history and techniques before embarking on a guided snowshoe hike with a naturalist guide. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 7+.

$5/student

NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Blue Zones

Thursday, January 17th 12-1:30pm

Designed for adults interested in learning more about wildlife, history, and conservation issues. In January, learn about “Blue Zones” and the secrets to living a long, healthy life with Blue Zones Representative, Dave Tsang. Lunch included. Ages 50+.

$10/member or $12/non-member

Beginner Cross-country Skiing

Saturday, January 19th 1-3pm

Learn about cross-country ski equipment and techniques before taking a beginner-rated tour with an instructor. Ages 10+.

$3/member or $5/non-member

Full Moon Snowshoe

Saturday, January 19th 5-6:30pm

Enjoy the park after dark while embarking on a snowshoe hike with a naturalist guide. If the sky is clear, peer through a telescope to view the moon up close! Ages 7+.

$3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+. Reservations required.

Wood ducks

Carving Club

Sunday, January 27th 1-3pm

$15/member project or $20/non-member project; Contact Josh to register.

Ollie’s Reading Club

Saturday, February 2nd 11am-12pm

Read a new nature-themed book each month. Upon completion of the book, discuss your opinions and your insights with founding member, Ollie Heitkamp. All ages.

FREE! Register by calling the office. Reservations required.

Candlelight Event

Saturday, February 16th 6-8:30pm

Luminaries will light your way as you snowshoe, hike, or cross-country ski on the trails. All ages. FREE!

Ski and snowshoe rentals available for $3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+. Ski rentals for ages 10+. Snowshoe rentals for ages 7+.

Pre-registration is not required for this event.

NATURAL WONDERS PRESCHOOL SERIES: Animal Valentine

Tuesday, February 19th 10-11am

Adults and preschoolers enjoy time together with crafts, stories, and outdoor activities. Ages 3-6 plus an adult.

$5/child

HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Cross-country Skiing

Tuesday, February 19th 1-3pm

Programs designed just for homeschool classes! In February, learn about cross-country ski equipment and techniques before embarking on a beginner-rated tour. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 10+.

$5/student

SCOUTS ONLY: Cross-country Skiing

Saturday, February 23rd 10am-12pm

Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and American Heritage Girls are invited to join us for these exciting adventures! In February, learn about cross-country ski equipment and techniques before embarking on a beginner-rated tour. Supervisory adults may attend for free. Ages 10+.

$5/scout

NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Snowshoeing

Thursday, February 21st 12-1:30pm

Designed for adults interested in learning more about wildlife, history, and conservation issues. In February, embark on a snowshoe hike with a naturalist guide. Lunch included. Ages 50+.

$10/member or $12/non-member

Family Snowshoeing

Saturday, February 23rd 1:30-3pm

Learn about snowshoe history and techniques before embarking on a snowshoe hike with a naturalist guide. Ages 7+.

$3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+.

Wood ducks

Carving Club

Sunday, February 24th 1-3pm

$15/member project or $20/non-member project; Contact Josh to register.

Educator’s Workshop: Project WILD

Saturday, April 6th 9am-2:30pm

Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. It provides dozens of fun, hands-on activities for learning about the outdoors. The K-12 Project WILD Activity Guide includes 144 different activities.

$35 per participant (includes Activity Guide, 5 Continuing Education Units, and lunch)

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