| Lost Valley Ventures — Family Exploration Programs! — Ongoing, topics change monthly | ||
| Grand Opening & Dedication: Boone Creek Conservation Area— June 22 |
First Fridays Concert Series— July 5, Aug. 2, Sept. 6 | |
| National Night Out — August 6 | Living History Open Houses — July 14 & Aug. 11 | |
| Grand Opening: Dufield Pond Conservation Area, South Entrance — Aug. 14 |
Cache Your Way Across McHenry County — Aug. 1–Nov. 30 | |
Lost Valley Ventures—Family Exploration Programs!
Saturdays, 2–3:30 p.m.
Are you looking for something the whole family can do for free on a Saturday afternoon? Come to Glacial Park for our Saturday exploration programs. Topics change monthly: May–Nesting time; June–Terrific Turtles; July–Predators and Prey; August–Incredible Insects and include a nature lesson, game, and a hike. Programs are held primarily outdoors, so dress for the weather and walking. No registration required. All ages are welcome.
This program is intended for families and cannot accommodate organized groups. Youth groups are welcome to call to schedule a program for their group. Check out our “Education and Recreation Opportunities for Youth Groups” brochure for more information. [Top]
Living History Events
at Powers-Walker House, Glacial Park
Open Houses:
Sundays, July 14 & August 11.
Drop in 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Come visit this Greek Revival 1854 restored house and learn more about the resident families that called this area home. July’s open house will feature the Schaeffer and Steinmetz families who lived in the area during the World War II era. August will feature the Miller family who resided in the area during the World War I era. Volunteers in historical attire will be on hand to answer your questions.
NEW! Additional Tours of the Powers-Walker House—The house will be opening for additional weekend afternoons for free tours. A sign will be posted on site as to upcoming dates and hours as well as listed here. Learn about the architecture and furnishings of this restored Greek Revival home, as well as about the volunteer efforts to restore it to its original condition. Experience the “feel” of an 1850’s early settlement house and enjoy some peaceful time looking out over the restored marsh and wetlands. [Top]
First Fridays Concert Series
7:00–8:30 p.m. (site closes at 9 p.m.)
Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park
Join us on the first Friday of each month this summer for an evening of music and nature. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy the beautiful view from the Lost Valley Visitor Center patio and stay for a concert from talented regional musicians. (No glass containers. In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors.)
July 5 | Potts & Pans Caribbean Jazz Combo
The Potts & Pans Caribbean Jazz Combo showcases the beauty of the steelpan and features its unique sound alongside two other percussion instruments, the vibraphone and the drum set. Playing an eclectic mix of jazz standards, calypsos, American pop and blues, Potts & Pans Caribbean Jazz Combo juxtaposes Caribbean and American cultures to create an unusual blend of sounds and expressions that deliver a completely unique experience for the listeners. If you are tired of the regular old bands, or traditional jazz combos, Potts & Pans Caribbean Jazz Combo is the remedy.
August 2 | Cassandra Acoustic
A prolific songwriter, Cassandra’s lyrics and extraordinary vocals connect with people straight from the heart. Her original songs deal with love, loss, self-reflection, and dreams. Cassandra’s love of singing and the arts came at an early age while growing up on a farm in Woodstock, IL. She is the owner of A Place to Shine Music, where for the past 18 years she has been teaching, performing, writing and producing music. Most recently Cassandra song “Celebrate Anyway” has been released as a free download.
Sept 6 | Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos
Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos provide a high energy, all request, fully interactive performance that might just get you singing, dancing, and definitely laughing the night away! Dueling pianos are well known as highly entertaining and Felix and Fingers (or Dave and Mike by day, from Crystal Lake) strive towards creating the most interactive show possible. Felix competed on American Idol, finishing in the top 10 males of season 5; Fingers has toured the world playing performing in over 45 countries. [Top]
Grand Opening and Dedication:
Boone Creek Conservation Area
Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m.–Noon
Ribbon Cutting @ 10:15 a.m.
916 Cold Springs Road, Bull Valley
Join us for the Grand Opening and Dedication of the District’s newest site. A brief history of the site and the significance of protecting these natural resources will be shared as well details on continued restoration of the site. Afterward enjoy a self-guided hike along the trail.
Boone Creek Conservation Area, a 572 acre site, helps to protect the valuable natural resources of Boone Creek and its headwater stream system. This picturesque site offers a hiking trail and horseback riding trail, as well as opportunities for picnicking on the observation deck and wildlife watching through viewing scopes. [Top]
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6, 5:30–8 p.m.
Harrison Benwell Conservation Area
McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the Wonder Lake Fire Departments team up to present National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime to promote crime prevention and safety programs, while strengthening police-community partnerships and encouraging neighborhood camaraderie. The evening is action packed with food and fun for the entire family.
Stop by for complimentary food and beverages and enjoy the ongoing activities. Information booths include: Electronic Fingerprinting ID System for Children, Child Passenger Safety Information, Project S.W.E.E.P., as well as various police and fire equipment that will be on display. Check back for event updates.
Special Demonstrations: Extrication (WLFPD) at 5:30 p.m. & 6:50 p.m.; Precision Motorcycle Riding Demo (MCCD) at 5:50 p.m. & 7:10 p.m.; and Police K9 Demo (MCSO) at 6:10 p.m. [Top]
Grand Opening:
Dufield Pond Conservation Area—South Entrance
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 4–6 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting @ 4:15 p.m.
11418 McConnell Rd., Woodstock
New site improvements on the south side of the 78 acre Dufield Pond Conservation Area allows visitors the opportunity to experience the site from a completely different perspective. The new .75 mile nature trail winds under the branches of ancient oaks, traverses the site’s steep topography, and offers beautiful views of the woodland, pond and wetland complex.
Join us to hear a brief history of the site and the significance of it as a natural resource will be presented, as well details on the restoration and development of the site. Then enjoy a hike along the .75 mile nature trail. [Top]
CACHE YOUR WAY ACROSS MCHENRY COUNTY
with
NEW sites & coordinates!!
August 1–November 30 spend your fall geocaching your way through many of the beautiful sites of McHenry County Conservation District.
Caches will be placed in 15 different Conservation District sites. Sign-up to receive a list of coordinates and a questionnaire (Caches are also posted on geocaching.com). Each cache contains an answer to a corresponding question. Enroll online at any time before the end date and explore at your own pace! The first 75 people/families completing 10 or more finds will receive a geocoin (1 coin per group).
Once completed, questionnaires may be mailed to the Main Office, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock or e-mailed back to smichael@mccdistrict.org. Include your name and mailing address. All completed entries will be entered into a drawing to win a free camping weekend at one of the District's six campgrounds! Completed entries must be returned by November 30, 2013. Note: Your own GPS unit is necessary to complete the program.
Geocaching is a great activity for all ages who enjoy hiking and being outdoors. For more information on this popular
“treasure hunting” activity, call (815) 338-6223 or read about it on our Geocaching page. [Top]