Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in October.
Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
Little Saplings presents Seed Safari on Oct. 2
Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.
The 2024 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of the month, continues Oct. 2 with the theme Seed Safari at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.
Sensory Safari is Oct. 2 at Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Sensory Safari is an event Oct. 2 where visually and sensory impaired guests will have the opportunity to touch, feel, hear, and smell at interpretative stations located throughout the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.
Nature experts from organizations across Nebraska will engage visitors at each station during this special event hosted by the zoo and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Registration is required and can be completed at the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov with any questions.
Learn beginner astronomy at Platter River SP
Join naturalists at Platte River State Park’s RV Campground Shelter for beginner astronomy activities at 4 p.m. on Fridays in October.
Beginning Oct. 4, participants can make a constellation, use a star chart to identify seasonal stars, examine a moon globe and compare it to the moon in the sky. Late at night they can use what they learned as the stars become visible.
Two parks to host They Aren’t That Spooky
Some critters get a bad rap for being spooky. Learn to love things like bats, spiders and snakes for their unique adaptations and positive impact on the ecosystem.
The They Aren’t That Spooky program will meet at 10 a.m. Oct. 4, 5 and 18 Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center. It also will meet at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26 at Platte River State Park’s Nature Center.
Flock to Birds of a Feather on Oct. 8
Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.
On Oct. 8, the topic for this free, bird-related program for all ages will be Fall Migration.
Wise and Wild is Oct. 8 at James Family Conservatory
Wise and Wild is a program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 3 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
On Oct. 8, the topic for this free event will be Dutch Oven Cooking. Gather around the fire and enjoy some delicious cast iron cooking.
Spider Tales Story Time coming to Lincoln
Join Lincoln’s Elleinad Books and Nebraska Game and Parks for Spider Tales Story Time.
At 10 a.m. Oct. 15, educators will read a story using puppets, show spiders preserved in resin, and lead a fun spider craft activity for the kids.
This free event is open to the public of all ages. Elleinad Books is located at 5930 S. 58th St., Suite S.
Wildcat Hills preschool program is Oct. 15
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host its monthly preschool program Oct. 15 with Going Batty.
The program will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.
The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Homeschool Hikes set for Oct. 16-17 at Schramm
Homeschool families for ages 5 and up are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Oct. 16 and 1 p.m. Oct. 17. This month’s theme is Grasses.
During the program, participants may ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. They will have the opportunity to observe local phenomena, plants, and animals while exploring concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function.
Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Wildcat Hills homeschool program is Oct. 17
The Wildcat Hills homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. The theme Oct. 17 is Going Batty. Explore bat adaptations, debunk myths and learn what can be done to help these nocturnal creatures.
Certified staff lead various programs that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations, and habitats found only in western Nebraska. Activities focus hands-on learning and observations, targeted to your students’ learning.
For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.