October-December 2014 Programs at
Crowder District Park
Programs require registration at least three days prior to the program date. Space is limited - don’t miss out!
Call (919) 662-2850 or email [email protected] to register or for more information.
Crowder By Night
Family programs that explore the park at night.
For all ages; fee: $5/Family.
Preregistration is required.
Going Batty
Friday, October 3; 6:30–7:30 pm
Did you know that NC has 16 species of bats? Learn
how bats live, why they are important members of our
natural community, and sort through bat facts and
fiction. Go on a night hike and look for these
night-time flyers and then play a fun batty game!
Survivor Skills
Friday, November 7; 4:30-5:30 pm
Do you know how to survive in the woods? Learn
tips and tricks on how to live off of the land. Build a
temporary shelter and learn which plants are safe to
eat. Then play a fun orienteering game.
Mysteries of the Moon
Friday, December 19; 5–6 pm
Is the moon made of cheese? Is there a man in the
moon? Listen to some of the stories people have told
about the moon and find out if there is any truth to
them. Look at the moon through a telescope and take a
moonlit walk through the park.
Nature Families
Great for families with children of different ages.
For all ages; fee: $5/Family. Preregistration is required.
Spooky Spiders
Tuesday, October 7; 11 am–12 pm
Did you know there are over 40,000 different species
of spiders! Join us as we explore a few arachnids
found in our park as we search out these 8-legged
creatures. Learn how and why spiders build webs and
then make a fun craft about these creepy critters.
Compost Creatures
Tuesday, November 4; 11 am–12 pm
Do you know that an earthworm can eat the equivalent
of its weight in just one day? That is why they are so
great for compost bins and the forest floor! Learn
about animal decomposers and the important role they
play in the natural food chain. See these critters in
action in a hands-on activity, then eat a wormy snack!
Getting Ready for Winter
Tuesday, December 2; 11 am–12 pm
In winter, we bundle up and turn on the heat. What do
animals do to get ready for winter? Discover nature’s
secrets for staying warm as we play a game about
preparing for winter. Learn about hibernating animals
and sip on hot cocoa. Then take home a fun craft!
Family Features
Great programs for families who are on the go during the week, but don't want to miss
out on the park experience. For all ages; fee: $5/Family. Preregistration is required.
Creepy Crawlies
Sunday, October 5
2–3 pm
Snakes, Spiders, Bugs and
Beetles! You either love em'
or you hate these "scary"
critters. Explore the world of
these squirmy animals and their
roles in their habitat. Prepare
to face your fears and even
meet a few of our own creepy
crawlies here at the park!
Native Americans
Sunday, November 16
2–3 pm
Walk back in time with a
park naturalist to learn about
the original Americans. Along
our journey we will discover
edible and medicinal plants
and practice our quiet walk.
Play games just like Native
American children and
make a fun craft!
Microscope Mania
Sunday, December 7
2–3 pm
Bring it into focus! Have fun
observing living and non-living
natural objects with a magnifying
glass and under the microscope.
Discover what ice and crystals
look like up close, then sketch
what everyday objects look
like under the scope in a
special science journal.
Quarter Year Programs at
Crowder District Park
continued
Nature Watchers
Preschool children with accompanying adult(s)
discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature
activities, games, crafts and outdoor exploration. Meet at
the Park Pavilion. For ages 3-5. Fee: $4/Child/Program
or $10 for 3 NW programs. Preregistration is required.
The Very Busy Spider
Wednesday, October 8; 1–2 pm
Spiders come in all shapes and sizes!
Read "The Very Busy Spider" by Eric Carl
and go on a spider hunt to observe these
cool arachnids up close. Learn fun facts
about webs and then untangle a fun
prize from a giant web!
Nature Friends
Explore the natural world through hikes, nature
activities, outdoor exploration, games and crafts.
Meet at the Park Pavilion. For ages 6-9. Fee: $4/Child
or $10 for 3 NF programs. Preregistration is required.
Spectacular Spiders
Wednesday, October 8; 11 am–12 pm
Spiders can be quite scary to the untrained eye. But
did you know that they are fascinating creatures that
play an important role in natural ecosystems? Come
discover which arachnids call the park home through
crafts, stories and a special spider hunt.
Wiggly Worms
Wednesday, November 5; 1–2 pm
Earthworms have an important job - they help us
make rich soil! Learn all about these natural
recyclers through a fun story and hands-on activity.
Make a wiggly worm craft to take home.
Nature’s Recyclers
Wednesday, November 5; 11 am–12 pm
Nature has the original recycling center. Learn how
nature recycles as we meet some friendly decomposers
like the earthworm and millipede. Rich soil is the
product we get from all their hard work. Observe
these wiggly critters up close in a science experiment,
then make a compost bin to take home.
Time to Sleep
Wednesday, December 3; 1–2 pm
Do you know what raccoons, bats, bears and frogs all
have in common? They all hibernate in the winter!
Read a fun story about a bear settling down for a long
winter nap and make a winter-themed craft. Then learn
which animals in the wild hibernate and how fat keeps
these critters warm in a fun science experiment.
Waiting for Winter
Wednesday, December 3; 11 am–12 pm
Do you know which animals migrate south for the
winter and which animals hibernate? Learn how
animals prepare for winter through fun hands-on
activities and games. Go on a nature walk to search
for a few winter birds and make an insect hotel
to keep the bugs of the park warm.
Tiny Tots - New Series!
Kids Get Crafty
Toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years with accompanying
adult(s) discover the natural world through stories, handson nature activities, games, crafts, and outdoor
exploration. Fee: $2/Child. Preregistration is required.
The ABC’s of Nature
Monday, October 6; 10:30–11 am
Join us for our new Tiny Tots program series!
Practice your ABC's and develop your fine motor
skills through games and hands-on activities. Play
a letter game and go on a scavenger hunt!
T is for Turkey
Saturday, November 15; 11 am–12 pm
Turkeys have very colorful feathers! Celebrate this
Thanksgiving season with crafts all about this
important bird! Use recyclable
materials and feathers to fashion a
rafter of turkeys and make a thankful
bird. For all ages; fee: $4/Child.
Preregistration is required.
October-December 2014 Programs at
Crowder District Park
continued
Programs require registration at least three days prior to the program date. Space is limited - don’t miss out!
Call (919) 662-2850 or email [email protected] to register or for more information.
Family Pond Study
This free drop-in discovery table does not require
preregistration. Meet a park naturalist on the boardwalk
to study a different critter each month. For all ages.
Peek into Ponds
Saturday, October 12; 1–3 pm
Food Drive
Join us during the month of December for our annual
food drive. All proceeds go to the Food Bank of
Central & Eastern North Carolina. Last year the park
collected of over 100 pounds of food! Now in our
3rd year, let’s make our largest contribution yet!
Peek into the water as we explore the critters
that are swimming underneath
the surface of the pond.
What to Donate:
Nutritious, non-perishable food!
Please no glass items.
Listed below are the most needed items:
Volunteer at the Park!
Want to do more to help out your community park?
Consider volunteering at Crowder District Park.
Call us or stop by to learn about the exciting
new ways you can lend a hand.
Call (919) 662-2850.
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Save the Date!
16th Annual Frog Fest
Saturday, April 11; 11 am–3 pm
Free frog fun for the whole family!
Crafts, games, exhibitors, music and food.
Free off-site parking available.
Keep up with all of the park’s
events and happenings!
www.facebook.com/crowderpark
www.twitter.com/CrowderPark
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Canned Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, and Soup
(Pop-top cans and low sodium are a plus!)
Whole Grain Pasta, Brown Rice, Dried Beans,
and Cereal
Peanut Butter
For Infants: Formula, Infant
Cereal, Diapers, and Wipes
For Kids: Fruit Cups, Juice
Boxes, Granola Bars, Crackers,
Popcorn and Sugar-Free
Pudding Cups
Non-Food Essentials: Hygiene
Items, Household Items, and
Paper Products
http://www.foodbankcenc.org/
Visit www.wakegov.com/parks/crowder
and sign up for our email list to receive
program and volunteer information!