Take a Hike! Native Animals

November 8, Saturday, 11 AM

Take a hike with park naturalist Rachel Rossiter Smith to look for native animals.

Cedar Creek valley is the perfect place to look since it is in such a natural state. We’ll discuss non-natives, extirpated species and more. Dress for the weather, we’ll go out rain or shine!

Program fee of $2 per person, kids 6 and under are free. Pre-registration is required by November 3; call 449-3777.

Caving Adventure

Pre-caving class Thursday, October 30, 7:30 PM, and cave trip on Saturday, November 8, all day

Go underground with Allen County Parks. Caving instructor and naturalist Bob Dispenza will be leading a trip to the Garrison Chapel Karst area near Bloomington on Saturday, November 8.

We’ll be exploring a wild cave in the area and going off the beaten path, looking for cave wildlife and unusual formations.

Mandatory pre-caving class is Thursday, October 30, 7:30 PM at Metea County Park.

Class fee of $20.00 per person, due on October 30, covers maps and caving instruction. Learn about geology, cave life, needed equipment and cave formation.

This activity is somewhat strenuous, but suitable for beginners. Call 449-3777 or email metea@allencountyparks.org to make reservations.

Fourth Friday Night Hike - Metea NORTH

October 24, 7:30 PM

North Metea on Hursh Road between Puff and Halter Roads

This is a family friendly night hike about some of the creepy creatures in nature and why they may not be so creepy after all.

Explore one of our wildest parks at a wild time of year. Flashlights optional, and will not be used on the hike.

Cost is $2. To register call 449-3777.

Wilderness Women (formerly Girls in Boots) - Fire starters!

October 18, Saturday, 3:00-5:00 PM

Wilderness Women is a program designed for women and young ladies from about 12 years and up to become more self sufficient in the outdoors and develop an environmental consciousness all while gaining skills and knowledge.

This meeting will focus on the art of fire making. We’ll be taking a hike to find fire making materials, making fire starters and cooking a snack on the fire we build! Dress for the weather.

Program fee is $5 per person. Minimum 5 registered 5 days in advance – call 449-3777.

Home School Series

October 16 & November 20, Thursdays, 2-4 PM

Metea County Park is offering a home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups. Participants in this project MUST pre-register by October 10 at 449-3777 or by emailing kharding@allencountyparks.org (preferred method). NO WALK-INS.

The fee for this program is $10.00 per student and $4.00 per parent, 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 your space soon! Each session begins promptly at 2:00 pm! Please bring proper footwear and outerwear for hiking. Topics subject to change without notice.

Session 1: October 16
Beginner (grade 1-3)
Bats! How many mosquitoes can they eat per night? Why are they important to the ecosystem? How did bat myths come to be? Why do they hang upside-down? Come to Metea to learn these facts and more!
Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Raptors! This group will be learning all about raptors! Soarin’ Hawk will be joining us as we learn about birds of prey, their importance in our ecosystem and what we can do to help protect these majestic creatures! Live raptors will be present.
Advanced (grade 7-12)
Native Mammals! We will learn about what makes an animal a mammal. We will explore mammal anatomy, take a hike in search of habitat, and introduce some ecological concepts and much more.

Session 2: November 20
Beginner (grade 1-3)
Owls! We will discover what they eat by dissecting owl pellets, learn about their importance in the environment and learn their calls. We will also be visited from a local screech owl and/or short-eared owl.
Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Bats! This group will be learning all about bats! How many mosquitoes can they eat per night? Why are they important to the ecosystem? How did bat myths come to be? Why do they hang upside-down? Come to Metea to learn these facts and more!
Advanced (grade 7-12)
Raptors! This group will be learning all about raptors! Soarin’ Hawk will be joining us as we learn about birds of prey, their importance in our ecosystem and what we can do to help protect these majestic creatures! Live raptors will be present.

Fall Foliage Hikes

October 11 and 18, Saturdays, 10:00 AM

Meet park naturalist Rachel Rossiter Smith at the Metea Park Nature Center for an enjoyable morning hike to savor the sounds, sights and smells of autumn.

Along the way we’ll talk about trees and how they can turn such beautiful colors. Dress for the weather.

Cost is $2 per person, kids 6 and under are free. Minimum 5 registered 5 days in advance – call 449-3777.

Preschool Morning Adventure – Shades of Fall

October 9, Thursday, 10:00 AM

Come to Metea County Park with your preschooler to learn about fall colors.

We will read a book, make a craft, have a snack and take a short hike.

$3.00 per child, $2.00 per adult partner (partner required). Please pre-register by October 6 by calling 449-3777 or emailing kharding@allencountyparks.org. Minimum of 5 pre-registered.