Information provided by Sand Ridge Nature Center
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (September 27, 2022) – As the weather begins to cool, the Sand Ridge Nature Center remains a beautiful place to take in the changing seasons. In addition to its regular nature experiences and programming, the Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland also will host multiple special events to round out 2022, listed below:
Family Fun Day
Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- This event is about getting outside as a family. Originally created to support the Leave No Child Inside/No Child Left Inside movement, the event consists of team building co-op activities and games that invite problem solving as a family while learning about the natural world. The event also offers self-guided activities like artmaking projects and scavenger hunts.
The Great (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Nature center staff decorate tiny pumpkins as woodland creatures and hide them on Sand Ridge’s four miles of trails for families to find. Once kids find all the animal pumpkins they can take home a tiny pumpkin of their own (while supplies last). Costumes are not required but recommended for this event.
Sand Ridge Heritage Day
Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Formally Settlers’ Day, this annual event is nearing its 50th anniversary at Sand Ridge Nature Center (it would’ve hit 50 had it not been for COVID cancelations in past years). With the nature center being only 60 years old, this event is as traditionally Sand Ridge as one can get. The event focuses on the cultural history of the Calumet Region and all the different groups of people who have called this region home and who still call it home. The event features re-enactors, living history demonstrations, interactive displays, an Oregon trail-inspired interactive walk, and much more.
Christmas Past
Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This event highlights Sand Ridge Nature Center’s pioneer-era inspired recreation cabins as the community celebrates early holiday traditions.
Winter Bonfire
Saturday, December 17 from 3:30 – 7 p.m.
While not occurring as Sand Ridge Nature Center, this event will take place at Camp Shabbona Woods, which is part of Sand Ridge Campus. The public is invited to join in to to celebrate the beginning of winter with a large bonfire, art-making, nature walks, and more. Before being engulfed in flame, the wood pile for the bonfire is roughly the size of a pick-up truck.
Sand Ridge Nature Center is located at 15891 Paxton Avenue in South Holland. More information about the center is located at fpdcc.com/places/locations/sand-ridge-nature-center.
Related
- Nine years and counting – Sand Ridge Nature Center continues tradition of Juneteenth celebrations (June 22, 2022)
- Renovated Sand Ridge Nature Center unveiled (August 5, 2021)
