Conservation Crew: Garden Management
Ages 12 – 17
We will be doing a general spruce-up on the new garden space at the Grant Park Nature Cabins. Please come prepared for the weather. All Conservation Crew sessions count as service hours.
Registration deadline: Monday, July 27
Glass Fusing: Whimsical Garden Décor
Ages 16 and up
Add more color to your garden with glass décor. Kathy Woodruff from Busy Beaver will lead participants through the basics of glass fusing. Create two small pieces to stake in your garden. All supplies, including stakes, are included.
Registration deadline: Sunday, July 26
Butterfly Survey
Recommended for ages 8 and up
Help contribute to research by joining the naturalist on butterfly surveys. Identify and count butterflies while observing other seasonal wildlife as we stroll. No experience is necessary. Trail is approximately one mile in length on uneven terrain. This is a Tools to Trek program.
Registration deadline: Thursday, July 30
Creek Peek: Fossil Finders (Rescheduled)
All ages
Learn about fossil formation and the main types of fossils found in Holes Creek. Wear clothing that can get wet. Closed-toe shoes are required. This is a Tools to Trek program.
Registration deadline: Thursday, July 30
Movie Party in the Park: UP
All ages
The night will begin with games, crafts and activities designed to spark your imagination. We will even be joined by some real-life “Doug the Dogs”—lovable service dogs in training with 4 Paws For Ability! The movie start time will be approximately 8:45 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner and blanket, or grab a bite from What The Taco and a sweet treat from Sweet P’s Ice Pops at this special event.
This event is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Jeff Probst Group- Keller Williams Community Partners. Be sure to stop by their event and enter their giveaways! Notice: Playground closes after dark.
Pickleball League Any Doubles My Teen & Me B
Ages 12 – 17 plus a family member over 21
Sundays, August 2 – September 6
4:30 p.m. and/or 5:30 p.m.
Join a Park District pickleball league and play pickleball in the parks this fall! All leagues are six weeks long. This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s, or mixed doubles) comprised of a teen and their parent/guardian or other close family member over the age of 21. You may be assigned matches at either start time listed.
Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19
Team Up Camp
Ages 3 – 6 with adult companion
Monday – Thursday, August 3 – 6 (Rain Date: Friday, August 7)
In this camp, we are teaming up with our grown-ups for some nature play and fun. We will create amazing art, learn about our smallest creatures, explore the creek, have a campfire sing-along and more! This year, we will focus on frogs, be totally thrilled about toads and learn about other amphibians that call Grant Park home.
Registration deadline: Monday, July 27
Recreation Day Camp: Week 10, Forest Field
Summer’s Last Splash!
Ages 5 – 11
Monday – Friday, August 3 – August 7
This week is the ‘best of the best’ week! Celebrate the last week of summer with our favorite camp games, including the best water games to cool off! Our crafts this week will focus on preserving our summer memories: tie-dye t-shirts, picture frames and friendship bracelets.
Registration deadline: Monday, July 27
ACtivity Squad Camp Week 10
Camp Battles! Adventure Games in the Great Outdoors
Ages 9 – 13
Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7
We will split into teams to play games outdoors! Activities include laser tag, archery tag, water tag, capture the flag and a Nerf battle! Games like dodgeball will be featured as well. Teams will be mixed up throughout the day.
Registration deadline: Monday, July 27
Sugar Valley Day Camp Week 10
Camp Cryptid
Ages 6 – 12
Monday – Friday, August 3 – 7
We all know about the classic cryptids — Bigfoot, Mothman, and such. But what about the ‘mystical’ creatures that live in our parks and are very much real? From the Unicorn Clubtail Dragonfly, the polka-dotted Northern Flicker and Southern Flying Squirrel, your camper will learn about the cryptids of Bill Yeck Park — both real and imagined.
Registration deadline: Monday, July 27
Pickleball League Any Doubles Intermediate B
Ages 18 and up
Mondays, August 3 – September 7
5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. AND/OR 7:30 p.m.
Join a Park District pickleball league and play pickleball in the parks this summer! This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s or mixed doubles) at the intermediate level. Please note that you may be assigned matches at any of the start times listed due to court availability.
Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19
Crafts with Nature Summer Series
Ages 18 months – 4 years with adult companion
We will complete crafts with nature/sensory themes, read stories, play games and take short hikes in the park — all to spark a love of nature in our youngest community members! The theme for August is ‘Sunshine & Seeds’. This program is limited to one adult companion per registrant. If your child is not walking, backpacks and front carriers are appropriate. Strollers are not recommended for parks with natural terrain.
Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 29
Early Adventures: Forest Walk Park
Ages 0 – 5 years with adult companion
Your leader will point out seasonal changes and other natural points of interest in the parks. Hikes can be on a natural or paved path, depending on the location. This is a Tools to Trek program. Backpacks and front carriers are appropriate if your child is not walking.
Registration deadline: Sunday, August 2
Pickleball League Any Doubles Int/Advanced B
Ages 18 and up
Tuesdays, August 4 – September 8
6:00 p.m. and/or 7:00 p.m.
Join a Park District pickleball league and play pickleball in the parks this summer! This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s, or mixed doubles) at the advanced intermediate to competitive level. Please note, this is a league designed for players with a strong understanding of pickleball rules, and who are at an advanced intermediate to experienced level of competition. This is our highest level league at this time. No instruction/lessons are included in the league.
Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19
Pickleball League Any Doubles Beginner B
Ages 18 and up
Wednesdays, August 5 – September 9
5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. AND/OR 7:30 p.m.
This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s, or mixed doubles) at the beginner level. Please note that you may be assigned matches at any of the start times listed due to court availability. Please note, this is a league designed for players with a basic understanding of pickleball rules, but who are still early in their pickleball skill development. No instruction/lessons are included in the league.
Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19