Park programs

First Day of Winter Night Hike, Litzenberg Memorial Woods, Dec. 21 The winter solstice gives us the most darkness of any day during the year, almost 15 hours. Will nocturnal animals who have not gone to sleep for the winter, like raccoons and opossums, be enjoying the night? Bundle up and head to the trails to find out. Meet at the Gatehouse at 6 p.m. All ages are welcome. The event is free with no registration. Holiday Fun: Open House, Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Dec 22 Children should come over to the Discovery Center to celebrate the first day of winter break. There will be hot chocolate by the fireplace and an opportunity to help count winter resident birds, like Downy Woodpecker and Northern Cardinals, as part of Project FeederWatch. Other activities include nature puzzles, puppets, holiday inspired coloring sheets, and a winter animal indoor scavenger hunt (there will be a special prize for those who complete it). Meet at the Discovery Center from 1-4 p.m. The event is for families with children ages 5 and up. The event is free with no registration. History of Santa Claus, Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Dec 23 Ho ho ho! As Christmas quickly approaches, kids are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. Join us and learn about the history of Santa Claus and enjoy the reading of a Santa Claus themed book. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided. Meet at the Discovery Center from 11 a.m. to noon. The event is for ages 6-9 with an adult. No other age siblings may attend. The event is free; but registration is required by Dec. 22 at 1 p.m online at www.hancockparks.com. Adults do not need to register. One adult per child please. The event has a minimum attendance count of three and a maximum of 20. Paper Making, Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Dec. 27 Try your hand at the art of paper making. Learn about the history of paper, how it is made on an industrial scale, what can be turned into paper, and what paper can become. Work together to create our own sheets of paper by turning old unwanted paper into a wet mushy pulp and forming it and drying it into a beautiful sheet of new paper. Look at other examples of items you can make with the art of paper making. Each person will have an opportunity to create a white sheet of paper, a colored sheet of paper, and if we have time, experiment to create another unique piece of paper. Meet at the Discovery Center at 10 a.m. The event is for ages 10-13. The event is free with no registration. Canines, Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Dec. 28 Most people think of their dogs when they hear the word, canine. However, there are many more animals to discuss than just dogs. Explore a variety of different canines that can be found at the various parks throughout Hancock County. Mounts and pelts will be presented to provide educational context regarding canines. Join us for our "paw-some" learning activity. Meet at the Discovery Center at noon. The event is for ages 6-10 with an adult. The event is free with no registration. Sound Exploration, Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Dec. 29 Sounds are everywhere and are heard all the time, but do you really know what sound is? Visit the Discovery Center and explore fun vibrations. Learn what sound is through a series of hands-on experiments, discuss how people and animals use sounds, and play a sound game. Each child will have the opportunity to create a fun sound toy called a bull roarer that can be taken home. Meet at the Discovery Center at 10 a.m. The event if for ages 6-10 with an adult. The event is free with no registration.