Join us this summer for our series of children's workshops that focuses on books about different birds that you can find at the John James Audubon Center. You will have an opportunity to meet one of our resident birds and complete a craft inspired by the books. These workshops are aimed at children aged 3-6 years old with their families. Admission to the program is free.
Join educator Sarah on a guided walk through our trails to search for spiders and learn what make arachnids special. See the intricate webs they make on our nature trails. Date: Sunday, August 23rd Time: 11 am - 12 pm Cost: FREE (Registration Required)
Join us as we team up with Lower Providence Township for Movie Night at Mill Grove: Hoppers! This fun, family-friendly film from Pixar will be shown on the Township’s BIG screen at the John James Audubon Center. Come early and make an evening of it! Enjoy dinner from Mary’s Mobile Diner (including vegetarian options), explore the trails, make some seed balls to plant at home, play a board game, or paddle the Perkiomen on a Birding by Canoe adventure. Don’t miss these exciting activities and more! Bring your lawn chair or blanket, settle in under the stars, and enjoy a memorable evening of nature, community, and family fun. This event is Rain or Shine! The screening will be in the Barn in the event of rain. Scheduled Experiences: 5:00-7:30 – Museum, Seed Ball-making, Board Games (bring your own or play one of ours) 5:00-5:45 / 6:00-6:45 – Historic House Tours 5:30-6:30 – Meet a Bird Ambassador **Birding by Canoe (three paddles) 5:15-6:00 6:00-6:45 6:45-7:30 Movie begins at dusk (approximately 8:00 PM). Running time: 105 minutes. Admission and all activities are FREE. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Ever go for a hike and see something you didn't know the name of? An unknown perched bird, a mysterious and beautiful flower, or a remarkable but unnamed tree? Hone your identification skills with Berks Nature! On this guided hike, we'll point out common plants and animals found in Angelica Creek Park and highlight the simple ways to recognize and differentiate these species. Get some fresh air and learn something new to impress your hiking buddy on your next excursion! Please note, end times are approximate. Registration closes August 27th
Fun is the target for this basic archery class! First, learn how to safely participate in this sport from Berks Nature's certified instructor the head outside for some real target practice. As a certified archery club, Berks Nature instructors will provide all necessary training and equipment. The adventure is best for children ages 7-13. Please note, end times are approximate. Registration ends Thursday, August 27th.
Join us for Discovery Day, a free, family-friendly event whereyoung explorers (ages 3–12) can discover the history of indigenous tribesthrough hands-on activities and exploration. Children and their caregivers areinvited to learn about the culture, traditions, and games practiced by theLenape Tribe who originally lived on the land at Peace Valley Park. Drop byanytime between 12 and 3pm to join in the fun!
Join us for Discovery Day, a free, family-friendly event whereyoung explorers (ages 3–12) can discover the history of indigenous tribesthrough hands-on activities and exploration. Children and their caregivers areinvited to learn about the culture, traditions, and games practiced by theLenape Tribe who originally lived on the land at Peace Valley Park. Drop byanytime between 12 and 3pm to join in the fun! NO REGISTRATION NEEDED
Butterflies get all the attention, whereas the moths of the night are just as beautiful and whimsical as their daytime cousins! In this after dark adventure, we'll setup a moth observation station to provide a rare chance to meet these nocturnal beauties up close. As the moths gather, we'll take a closer look at the different species and demonstrate how to identify and observe these delicate insects in a safe and respectful way. Throughout the night, join in discussions about light pollution and the impacts our brightly lit homes can impact moth behavior, navigation, and survival. In a world full of artificial light, take a night off to enjoy nature that comes alive in the dark. Please note, end times are approximate. Registration closes September 3rd. Free Event!
Drop in and discover a variety of nature-themed activities the entire family will enjoy. Discovery Day is a family-friendly, free event where young explorers, ages 3 – 12, learn about magnificent migrations though self-guided activities and explorations. Children and guardians are invited go on a self-guided nature scavenger hunt using our monthly-themed check list or simply enjoy the trails. Indoor activities include stations that help you discover the wonders of animal migrations. Donations kindly accepted. No registration is required.
Drop in and discover a variety of nature-themed activities the entire family will enjoy. Discovery Day is a family-friendly, free event where young explorers, ages 3 – 12, learn about magnificent migrations though self-guided activities and explorations. Children and guardians are invited go on a self-guided nature scavenger hunt using our monthly-themed check list or simply enjoy the trails. Indoor activities include stations that help you discover the wonders of animal migrations. Donations kindly accepted. No registration is required.
Join us on Friday, September 18th from 7:30 - 9:30 pm for our Bats Campfire led by educator Chris Egnoto! Look to the skies as bats flutter about finding food in preparation for hibernation. While they enjoy munching on insects, you can enjoy a toasted marshmallow around our campfire. This program is $3 for CNC members and $5 for non-members. Registration is required!
On Sunday, September 20th from 1 - 3pm, join educators Chris and Greg on a nature walk on our trails! Learn all about foraging for edible wild plants, the do's and don'ts of foraging, and what nature has to offer us right here in our area. Admission is $5/person, and pre-registration is required as space is limited. This walk may include moderate terrain and the trail may be over a mile. Please dress for the weather and be ready to walk! Adults and kids ages 12 and up are recommended.
Sunday, September 20th is Community Day at the John James Audubon Center. Everyone is invited to enjoy food, drinks, and music as we celebrate cultural connections to nature, fall migration, and birds’ unique ability to unite us all. Festivities will include traditional Mexican folk dance, classical Indian dance, activities for kids, bird-themed facepainting and henna tattoos, food trucks, local breweries, canoeing, and more! This year’s Community Day will also coincide with our new fall/winter art exhibit. Tree of Life is a solo exhibition by Natessa Amin featuring bird-inspired artworks from her Split Inheritance series. The project considers the "tree of life" as a symbol that appears across cultures, generations, and histories. A selection of Árboles de la Vida (trees of life) sculptures created by local community art circles and Las Artivistas from CCATE - Center of Culture, Art, Training and Education - will also be on view as part of the Tree of Life exhibition. These Mexican clay sculptures were originally created for religious purposes, but many have expanded to explore themes such as the duality of life and death and humanity’s relationship with nature, while still retaining traditional elements like Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. Scheduled Community Day Experiences Include: Audubon Bird Ambassador – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Fabulous Faces Facepainting – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Art Of Henna by Aswini Henna Tattoos - 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Historic House Open (self-guided) – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Includes access to Tree of Life art exhibition and CCATE Árboles de la Vida sculptures) Birding by Canoe (bilingual) – 3:00 pm, 3:45 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:15 pm (Advanced registration is recommended but not required. Email millgrove@audubon.org.) Sri Sai Nataraja Academy of Kuchipudi dance performance – 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Ballet Folklorico Yaretzi Mexican folk dance performance – 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Starting at 3:00, a shuttle will run at 30-minute intervals between CCATE, located at 1246 W. Main Street in Norristown, and the John James Audubon Center. Last departure from the Center will be at 7:00. No reservations are needed. Shuttle, activities, and museum admission are FREE all day. Food and beverages available for purchase. Must be 21 years or older to be served alcohol.
Is your wild child also a budding artist? Free their inspiration in nature! Overlooking Angelica Creek Park's pond, each child will be situated with their own easel and painting supplies to let their creativity soar. Light refreshments will also be available to sustain their artistic endeavors. It's bound to be an afternoon of creativity, color, and natural inspiration! This program will run concurrently with an adults-only Paint by the Pond program, allowing caregivers to enjoy an afternoon of relaxed painting as well! Please note, children may only be dropped off and left under the supervision of Berks Nature staff ONLY if their caregiver is attending the adults-only Paint by the Pond program. Otherwise, a parent or guardian must remain with their child during this creative adventure. Adult Class SEPTEMBER 26TH - Paint by the Pond (Adults) — Berks Nature Please note, end times are approximate. Registration closes September 24th.
Join us for our Spiders Campfire on Friday, October 2nd from 7 - 9 pm! Come appreciate the artistic ability of spiders, who spin elaborate webs of all sizes and designs. Enjoy a toasted marshmallow around the campfire and look for web-spun masterpieces outside on our trails. This campfire program will feature a guided night hike around our trails by educator Chris Egnoto and an educational lesson on spiders and arachnids. The program will begin at our campfire circle. Admission is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. Pre-registration is required!
Drop your kids off at The Nature Place for a full day of exploring Angelica Creek Park, scientific experiments, and other hands-on activities perfect for the curious, adventure-seeker! Best for children aged 6+. Please pack a lunch and prepare your child appropriately for the outdoors and weather. In October, the Nature Explorers will find their muse in nature and get creative with painting, journaling, and nature mandalas! Each activity will challenge the Explorers to look closely at colors, shapes, and patterns found in the natural world while making "leave no trace" art that does not harm the environment. This hands-on day blends creativity, outdoor exploration, and gentle lessons in stewardship, giving kids a chance to express themselves while appreciating the space around them. Scholarships are available! We believe nature should be accessible and welcoming to all. With the support of our donors, Berks Nature is able to offer scholarships to children hoping to participate in the Nature Explorers program that would otherwise be financially unable to. For more information and to apply, please contact Michael Griffith (michael.griffith@berksnature.org). Please note, end times are approximate. Registration closes October 1st
It's a nature-inspired treasure hunt for the whole family! Search for hidden clues and spy nature signs on a guided walk through Angelica Creek Park. Along the way, we'll talk about how animals use camouflage to survive in their wild world. Please note, end times are approximate. Registration ends on October 8th.
You've heard of pumpkin carving, but what about pumpkin SCIENCE? The whole family is invited to engage in some hands-on (and at times messy) science exploration focused on your favorite fall gourd: the pumpkin! Each family will work with their own pumpkin though a series of activities including scientific observation, a guided pumpkin dissection, and a pumpkin seed investigation! And yes, you'll get the chance to carve your pumpkin at the end of our experiments. This lab program is filled with testing, inquiry, and messy fun for everyone! The cost of registration is per pumpkin for a family of up to four people, making this a fun, shared experience for siblings and caregivers! Please note, end times are approximate. Registration closes October 22nd.
Drop your kids off at The Nature Place for a full day of exploring Angelica Creek Park, scientific experiments, and other hands-on activities perfect for the curious, adventure-seeker! Best for children aged 6+. Please pack a lunch and prepare your child appropriately for the outdoors and weather. The Nature Explorers will close out the year with a fun and cozy Winter Party! Cuddle up with some popcorn and hot cocoa for some seasonal, nature-friendly movie watching. If the weather allows, we'll breathe in the crisp air on a short winter hike and play games in the Nature Play Zone (including sleddnig if the conditions are right!). The year's end celebration provides a space of rest and play for Nature Explorers, and a child-free day for parents looking to get a headstart on holiday preparations! Scholarships are available! We believe nature should be accessible and welcoming to all. With the support of our donors, Berks Nature is able to offer scholarships to children hoping to participate in the Nature Explorers program that would otherwise be financially unable to. For more information and to apply, please contact Michael Griffith (michael.griffith@berksnature.org). Please note, end times are approximate. Registration closes December 3rd