A Guide for Parents, Teachers, Scout, Youth and Adult Group Leaders, and Organizations

Thorn Creek Nature Center

Thorn Creek Nature Center offers educational programs throughout the year for schools, home school groups, day cares, preschools, scout groups, families and adult groups. These programs plan for groups to experience Thorn Creek Nature Preserve first-hand.

All programs are held outdoors
Participants should dress for outdoor weather and natural terrain trails. Closed toed shoes (no sandals), long pants and a hat or bandana (if necessary) should be worn. If you are concerned about mosquitoes, please bring bug spray.

Minimum group size
Minimum group size for a program is 10; maximum is 20. Larger groups may be accommodated based on staff availability. Registration is required. All programs require a minimum of four weeks notice.

Fees
Fees: groups of 1-10 for $25, groups of 11-20 for $50, and groups of 21-30 for $75. Additional fees for materials may apply for some programs. Programs are typically 1 to 1.5 hours in length, including trail hikes.

Tours
Nature Center tours are available but will require additional time.

For more information
For more information, or to register, call Thorn Creek Nature Center at 708-747-6320 or email us at thorn_creek@att.net.

Programs for All Ages

❖ Wild Animal Tracks
Discover clues to wild animals’ identities and behavior by tracks and trails. Discover how animals survive through the different seasons. Bring home your own track replica.

❖ Birding by Sight and Sound
Learn simple ways to identify and observe birds using binoculars, field guides and bird call tapes. Learn bird behavior with games and crafts!

❖ Creek Walk
Walk the waters of Thorn Creek and discover the world of aquatic insects and metamorphosis. Explore the creek, its bed and the shore to see how this is the perfect ecosystem for these unusual critters. For children ages 6and up. Not available in winter, early spring or after heavy rains.

❖ Trees Big and Small-the Lorax
A reading of the favorite Dr. Seuss tale will help you to identify trees by leaves and bark, find seedlings and young saplings, count the rings to find the oldest trees, measure the width of the trunks. Discover the inner workings of forest ecology.

❖ Insects Abound!
Discover what makes an insect unique. Explore the differences between insects, spiders, and other fascinating arthropods. Search for insects in a meadow, learning their unique sounds and special relationships with flowers. Available July and August.

❖ Spring Wildflower Hike
Come on a hike to see woodland wildflowers blooming. Learn the names of the flowers common in Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve.

❖ Fall Color Walk
Learn why leaves change colors and what trees do to prepare for the long months of winter. Available September and October.

❖ Follow the Fox
You are the fox following your daily routines on Thorn Creek trails! See signs of your mammal, bird and reptile neighbors. Sniff logs, listen to the sounds of the woods, hunt for food and mark your territory.

❖ Soils Hike
Is all soil created equal? Do we find different mineral layers in different places? Come and see, listen, and feel for the answers to these questions. Learn how soil fuels and supports every form of life in the woods.

For more information, or to register, call or email Thorn Creek Nature Center at 708-747-6320 or thorn_creek@att.net

. . . .

Partnership for Programming
Nature Education Programs at Thorn Creek Nature Center are sponsored by the Thorn Creek Audubon Society. This new partnership furthers the Society’s environmental education mission and gives valuable assistance to the Nature Center by providing nature programming for groups of area children and adults.

For information about Thorn Creek Audubon Society membership, events and projects: Thorn Creek Audubon Society, P. O. Box 895, Park Forest, Il 60466, or thorncreekaudubonsociety.org.