Wilderness Women: “Wild” Flowers

May 9, Saturday, 3-5pm, Metea County Park

Mother Knows Best! In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re inviting all Moms and Daughters with the wilderness spirit to Metea County Park!

We’ll be discussing the myth of the “Wild Woman” and making a snack. We’ll take a short hike to look at wildflowers and do a cool activity.

This program is designed for women and young ladies about 12 and up. Cost is $5. Please register by May 4. Call 260-449-3777 or email rsmith@allencountyparks.org to register or for more information.

Preschool Adventures – Pond Critters

May 7, Thursday, 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

Join Metea naturalist, Karie Divelbiss Harding as we dip our nets into the pond and try to find the critters that live there. We will read a book, have a craft & snack and try our hand at pond-dipping.

This program will be held outside. Please dress for the weather, and old shoes are recommended.

$3.00 per child, $2.00 per adult partner (partner required). Please pre-register by MAY 4 by calling 449-3777 or emailing kharding@allencountyparks.org. We must have a minimum of 5 participants for the program to run.

Fourth Friday Night Hike

April 24, Friday, 8:30 PM, Metea North off Hursh Road

Our wildest park may have night surprises in store for you.

$2.00 per person, call 449-3777 for reservations, minimum of 5 needed by April 22.

Earth Day Evening

April 22, Wednesday, 7:30 PM, Metea County Park Visitor Center

2 points
You can help the earth around your yard and home. There are things anyone can do to save our resources, reduce pollution and lower your bills.

Join Allen County Parks Education Director Bob Dispenza for our “Earth Day Evening” celebration and find out how to apply those money and environment saving tips and technologies. Meet at Metea Count Park Nature Center, 8401 Union Chapel Rd., at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, April 22, and bring your own ideas to share.

Class fee is $2.00 per person – call 449 3777 to reserve your space. Minimum of 5 registered needed by April 20.

Home School Series

April 23 & May 21, Thursdays, 2:00-4:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

2 points per class
We are offering a home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups. You must pre-register and PREPAY by APRIL 20 at 449-3777 or by emailing Karie Harding at kharding@allencountyparks.org (preferred method). We will NOT accept walk-ins.

The fee for this program is $10.00 per student, $4.00 per adult and includes BOTH month’s sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Classes fill up quickly, so reserve you space.

NOTE: YOUR SPACE WILL NOT BE RESERVED UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID. Classes begin at promptly 2:00 PM! Both sessions will be held both indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather.

Session 1: April 23

Beginner (grade 1-3)
Wildflowers and plants
Join us as we embark on the world of plants in the spring. We will look for wildflowers, learn more about why they are there, and the animals that love them.

Intermediate (grade 4-6) and Advanced (grade 7-12)
Astronomy
Join us as we learn about the world above our heads. We will be doing experiments, demonstrations and learning about the sky above us.

Session 2: May 21

All age groups
Macroinvertebrates
We will be in the river during this session learning about macroinvertebrates and water quality of Cedar Creek. Please wear waders or water shoes for this program.

Wilderness Women: April Showers

April 11, Saturday, 3-5pm, Metea County Park Nature Center

We all know that April Showers bring May flowers, but we’re going to go out and see if there are any poking their heads out yet. After a hike in the woods, we’ll have a snack and do an activity.

This program is designed for women and young ladies about 12 and up. Dress for the weather and don’t forget to register by April 9. Call 260-449-3777 or email rsmith@allencountyparks.org to register or for more information. Five people minimum registered for program to run.

Cost is $5 per person.

Volunteer Day: Taking out Salamander Traps at Metea County Park

April 10, Friday, 10am, Metea County Park

Our research is done and the traps must come out!

We’ll hike out to the trap areas and, on the way, we’ll talk about what we found in our research. Dress for the weather; sturdy or waterproof boots are a good idea. Meet at the nature center.

Email rsmith@allencountyparks.org for more info. Cost is free!

Take a Hike! Nature Babies

April 11, Saturday, 11am, Metea County Park Nature Center

Take a hike with park Naturalist Rachel Rossiter Smith to discover all the new babies out and about at Metea County Park.

We’ll be hiking for about an hour, so dress for the weather.

Cost is $2. Please register by April 9. At least 5 people must register for program to run. Call 260-449-3777 or email rsmith@allencountyparks.org to register or for more information.

Preschool Adventures – Salamanders

April 9, Thursday, 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

Join Metea naturalists, Karie Divelbiss Harding & Rachel Rossiter Smith as they teach preschool-aged children about salamanders.

We will read a book, make a craft and have a snack during this program. We will also be trekking to the salamander traps, so please dress for the weather - play shoes recommended.

$3.00 per child, $2.00 per adult partner (partner required). Please pre-register by APRIL 6 by calling 449-3777 or emailing Karie Harding at kharding@allencountyparks.org. We must have a minimum of 5 participants for the program to run.