Home School Series

Thursdays, February 21 & March 20, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Metea County Park is now offering a home school science enrichment program for all ages.

We will be separating the students into three age groups and will be working on several different topics throughout the school year.

Participants in this project MUST pre-register at 449-3777. At least 5 people per age group must pre-register for the program to run.

The fee for this program includes both month's sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Cost for parents is $4.00.

EACH SESSION BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 2:00 PM AT THE METEA COUNTY PARK NATURE CENTER

PLEASE PLAN TO COME EARLY FOR REGISTRATION.

Beginner group - grades 1-3
TOPIC: Owl Pellets and Microscopes
Price: $10.00 per student

The beginner group will be learning about owls and will have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet to discover what they ate.

During the second session they will be using the dissecting microscopes to discover the world around them. They will be viewing different organisms under the microscopes.

Intermediate group - grades 4-6
TOPIC: Dissection
Price: $20.00 per student

The intermediate group will be dissecting a crayfish during the first session and earthworms during the second session. They will learn both the external and internal anatomy and will learn habitat and mannerisms of the creatures.

We provide most supplies. If you would like to have protective gloves please bring them yourselves.

Advanced group - grades 7-12
TOPIC: Dissection
Price: $20.00 per student

The advanced group will have the opportunity to dissect a frog during the first session and a perch during the second session. They will learn both the external and internal anatomy and learn habitat and mannerisms of these creatures.

We provide most supplies. If you would like to have protective gloves please bring them yourselves.

Volunteer Training for Salamander Research

Saturday, February 16, 2:00 - 3:30 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

We need your help!

We are collaborating with Little River Wetland Project to find out more about these important indicator species. This project will run from the time the ground is workable, late February, until the first of April, depending on weather and we need individuals to check the traps, do some measurements, record info, and take pictures. We will be monitoring Eagle Marsh and Metea County Park.

To volunteer for this project, you MUST have a volunteer application submitted and cleared and you MUST have taken this training course! Cost is free!

Please call 449-3777 to reserve your spot.

Preschool Morning Adventure - Love Bugs

Thursday, February 14, 10:00 AM

February is the month of Love Bugs!

Bring your 'love bug' to the Nature Center at Metea County Park for a fun morning. We will read a book, complete a craft, and have a snack.

$3.00 per child, $2.00 per adult partner (partner required). Call 449-3777 for more information and pre-registration.

Groundhog Day

Saturday, February 2, 10 AM

As the weather continues cold, we all wonder when spring warmth will be arriving.

One of our native animals has a reputation for being able to tell when - the groundhog. We are going to encourage him with a little celebration held in his honor.

Come to the Metea County Park Nature Center to learn about hibernation and the history of woodchuck weathermen, sing some Groundhog Day songs, and go out looking for our own Metea Park Marvin.

Will he see his shadow, or will he be out cross-country skiing?

Call 449-3777 to reserve your space. $2.00 per person.

Winter Trail Guide Training (2008)

Sunday, January 27, 1:00-4:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

We will be hosting a trail guide training session, which is open to any person interested in becoming a trail guide at any Allen County Park - Metea, Fox Island, Payton and Cook's Landing.

We will start with a hike through the Metea nature preserve to learn about what can be seen in the winter. We will talk about different ways to identify trees without leaves, and other interesting facts.

Afterward, we will come into the nature center, warm up by the fire, and participate in a lab session in our basement classroom to show another part of our programming.

Call 449-3777 for more information and registration. Make sure to reserve your space... class size is limited!

Take a Hike! Tracks and Scat

January 19, Saturday, 1:00 PM

What kinds of animals live at Metea County Park? That's a tough question.

It can be really hard to catch a glimpse of a wild animal. However, if you know what to look for, you can tell exactly who has been in the forest.

We'll be hiking in search of animal calling cards with Naturalist Rachel Rossiter Smith. Dress for the weather!

Cost is $2. Call 449-3777 to reserve your spot.

Preschool Morning Adventure - Snowflakes

January 10, Thursday, 10:00 AM

Come to the Metea County Park Nature Center with your preschool children and learn about snowflakes.

Do you know that every snowflake is different? Come and find out about them.

We will read a story, complete a craft, and eat a snack.

$3.00 per child. $2.00 per adult partner (partner required). Call 449-3777 for information and to register.