Summer 2010 Programs

Evanston Ecology Center birthday parties, programs and classes focus on environmental education, natural history and conservation. Please register early! Classes fill quickly; please call us at 847/448-8256 for class status.

The Ecology Center is located at 2024 McCormick Blvd. Scholarships are available to qualified Evanston residents for Evanston Ecology Center classes. All our programs take place at the Ecology Center unless otherwise noted.

Pre-registration required for all classes and programs with a class number. Please call 847/448-8256 to register or for questions.

For the City of Evanston Arts & Recreation link to the same information in .pdf form, please click here.

Birthday Parties

Information and Guidelines
Birds of A Feather
Bug Birthday
Animal Party
Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaur Bones
Space Out
Reptile Romp
Compass Course
Nature Rubber Stamping

Special Events

Centennial Celebration!
June 12 - Backyard Botanics: Local Plant Sale
July 11 - Keep Evanston Beautiful Garden Walk
August 14 Duck Race and Pluck – NEW DATE

Teen and Adult Programs

Green $olutions - Pest Control

Family Ecology Programs

Canoe The Canal
Family Campfires
Leave No Child Inside: Get Lost!
Citizen Science: Be an Urban Bird Monitor
Free Access To Fishing
Fishing Frenzy Sat., July 10
Make A Solar Cooker

 


Birthday Parties

Information and Guidelines

The Evanston Ecology Center offers a 90-minute to 2-hour party program for ages 4 and older (15-child maximum). A staff member leads nature-oriented games and hands-on activities for 45 minutes, then the room is open for treats and activities of your own. You supply decorations and treats. Questions? Please call 847/448-8256 or see below for details.

  • Fee: Birthday party prices are as follows: Resident: $175; Non-resident: $200; EEA member: $150 (so sign up now for membership in the EEA and get lots of other great discounts, too!). This includes the two hour building rental. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required for reservations.
  • .
  • Availability: Parties are available through Memorial Day from 10am to 4:30pm, Monday through Saturday. Reservations are required at least two weeks ahead. Not all dates and times are available due to other Ecology Center Programs.
  • Facility: The Ecology Center classroom is used for the birthday party rental . We have several six-foot tables and chairs. You are welcome to come 1/2 hour early to decorate the room as you wish (please no sequins, confetti, or piñatas). There are washrooms and a drinking fountain, but there are no kitchen facilities available.
  • Guidelines: Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited in the Ecology Center. There is maximum of 15 children in addition to the birthday girl or boy, and a ratio of 1 adult to 5 children is requested. You are responsible for cleaning up after your portion of the birthday party. We will clean up our supplies from the program portion.

Birds of A Feather: Discover some astounding facts about our flying feathered friends, the birds! We will look at local songbirds, feathers, nests, and make an edible bird nest to take home!

Bug Birthday: Get to know the most numerous of the Earth's inhabitants, insects! Learn about their exciting lives and even go on an insect scavenger hunt! Make your own bug to take home.

Animal Party: Learn about some of the wonderful animals that call Evanston home. We'll even take out some of the Ecology Center's critters for a visit. A set of rubber stamps will be used to make a take home project.

Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaur Bones: Explore the secrets from the Earth's past by looking at rocks and fossils and learning about the animals that lived here long ago. Make your own fossil replica to take home.

Space Out: This party is way out there! Learn about what's in our solar system, celestial bodies and other things that are out there. Make your own model comet to take home.

Reptile Romp: Learn about Evanston's reptilian residents, who they are, how they live and where they live. You'll even get to meet some reptiles up close! Make your own reptile to take with you.

Compass Course: (ages 8 & up) Are you a survivor? See if you and your friends can find your way through a compass course in the arboretum. You'll learn how a compass works and how to use it. Each participant gets a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Nature Rubber Stamping: (ages 8 & up) Make amazing artwork with nature-themed rubber stamps. Learn to use different techniques and media to make create a wonderful finished product! Each child will make a set of three cards to take home.

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Special Events

Centennial Celebration!

Come celebrate the 100th anniversary of Evanston’s very own North Shore Channel! Learn to appreciate the wildlife, history and opportunities the canal offers through games, crafts and canal exploration!

Location: Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick
Day/date/time: Sat., June 26, 1-4pm
Admission: Free

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June 12 - Backyard Botanics: Local Plant Sale

Highland Garden Club of Evanston and Four Seasons
Garden Club of Evanston are jointly hosting a plant
sale. Come buy home-grown plants right from club
members’ gardens; the plants should thrive in your
garden, too! Members will give you tips and answer
your questions. Proceeds support beautification
projects these clubs take on throughout Evanston.
Questions? Call the Ecology Center at 847/448-8256.

Sponsor: Highland Garden Club and Four Seasons Garden Club
Day/Date/Time: Sat., June 12, 10am-4pm
Location: Independence Park on Central Street
(2 blocks west of Green Bay Road)
Admission: Free

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July 11 - Keep Evanston Beautiful Garden Walk

The 21st annual Garden Walk features six private gardens and one school garden in Evanston. Meet the gardeners and get ideas for bed design, hardscaping, and plants that do well locally. All proceeds support KEB’s environmental education programs.

Sponsor: Keep Evanston Beautiful (KEB)
Day/Date/Time: Sun., July 11, Noon-5pm
Tickets: Advance-purchase tickets are $10 for KEB members and $15, nonmember. Tickets are available weekdays starting in mid-June at the Ecology Center or by mail order from KEB’s office at the Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick, Evanston, 60201, or by PayPal via KEB's website. Other advance purchase sites in Evanston are Bloom 3, 1503 Chicago; Natural Things Flowers, 2904 Central; and Saville Flowers, 1712 Sherman. 847/448-8256 X 105.

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August 14 Duck Race and Pluck – NEW DATE

This fund raiser for the Evanston Environmental Association is a rubber duck “race” around the Dawes Park lagoon. Ducks travel on waves created by volunteers with paddles. Funds raised from the event go towards the Evanston Ecology Center’s resident critters. Sponsor one duck for $10 or a “Quack Pack” of three for $25. You may take your ducky home after the race. For more info. or to reserve your duck(s), please call 847/448-8256.

Location: Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St.
Day/date/time: Sat., August 14, 3-5pm
Fee: See above for duck sponsorship; free admission

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Teen and Adult Programs



Green $olutions - Pest Control

Ants in your kitchen? Mosquitoes in your yard? Weeds in your sidewalk? Learn some recipes and techniques for controlling these nuisances in a safe way. These treatments are nontoxic to humans and use everyday household items. 847/448-8256.

Location: Evanston Ecology Center
Age Level: 18 yrs. and older
Fee: $15 per person Length: 1 session


Class # Date Day Time
122144A0 June 17 Th 6:30-8pm


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Family Ecology Programs

 

Canoe The Canal

“Canoe the Canal” is back! The view of the canal from a canoe is unique and you might spot all kinds of wildlife. On June 20, paddle with dad for our Father’s Day excursion. Basic canoe instruction and safety is covered before heading out. Please register by phone or in person at the Ecology Center only. Programs will be held unless there is lightning; dress appropriately. 847/448-8256.

Location: Evanston Ecology Center
Age Level: 5 and older
Fee: $17, EEA member; $20 R/$22 NR
Fee, child age 5-11: $6, EEA member; $8 R/NR
Length: 1 session

Class # Date Day Time
113120D0 June 5 Sa 9:30am-Noon
113120E0 June 20 Sa 9:30am-Noon

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Family Campfires

Join the Ecology Center staff for fun-filled campfires with nature themes. Each evening includes stories, songs and, of course, the ever-popular s’mores! The theme in June is Snakes. Space is limited; preregistration is required by phone or in person at the Ecology Center. 847/448-8256.

Location: Council Ring at Grosse Point Lighthouse
Age Level: 2 yrs. and older
Fee: $4 R/NR Length: 1 session

Class # Date Day Time
113119G0 June 4 F 7-8pm
113119H0 June 5 Sa 7-8pm

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Leave No Child Inside: Get Lost!

Take a break from TV reruns and explore the great outdoors! June marks Chicago Wilderness’s “Leave no Child Inside” month. To celebrate, grab your flashlight and join the Ecology Center for a scavenger hunt in the dunes followed by a campfire and s’mores. Space is limited; preregistration is required by phone or in person at the Ecology Center. 847/448-8256.

Location: Council Ring at Grosse Point Lighthouse
Age Level: 2 yrs. and older Fee: $5 per person

Class # Date Day Time
122129A0 June 25 F 6:30-8:30pm

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Citizen Science: Be an Urban Bird Monitor

Citizen science can be fun for the whole family! You can be part of an ongoing national urban bird monitoring program. Learn the most common birds in our area and how to easily identify them. We’ll also do a monitoring session and record our findings with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All of this can be repeated at home as often as you like! Be sure to register all participants. 847/448-8256.

Age: 3 yrs. and older
Fee: $4.50/person Length: 1 session

Class # Date Day Time
122140A0 July 17 Sa 4-5:30pm

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Free Access To Fishing

This popular free program, which is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is a great way to introduce children age 5-15 to the “catch and release” process. Equipment, bait and fishing expertise are provided!

Access to Fishing will be held every Saturday morning at Lovelace Park, Gross Point Road at Thayer St. through September. Note the new time: 9am to noon. No license is needed for those under age 16. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Questions? Please call 847/448-8256.

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Fishing Frenzy Sat., July 10

Bring a young person (age 5-15) for a special fishing day at Lovelace Park from 9am-noon on Sat., July 10. This program piggybacks our Access to Fishing program and is sponsored by the Evanston Playground and Recreation Board. Along with the usual equipment and bait, we’ll have experts on hand, casting workshops, give-aways and snacks.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Once you learn how, you can keep coming to the Access to Fishing every Saturday through September. This program is free!

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Make A Solar Cooker

Learn to harness the power of the sun! You’ll learn about different styles of solar cookers and how they work. We’ll make our own solar cookers and even cook our lunch during class. Fee includes food and drink; please indicate at registration if one or more meals should be vegetarian. 847/448-8256.
Location: Evanston Ecology Center
Age Level: All ages
Fee: $10 per person Length: 1 session

Class # Date Day Time
122109A0 Aug 7 Sa 10am-Noon


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