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February 2012 Events at ENC
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Programs for Children
Programs for Families
Programs for Adults
Click here for upcoming 2012 events.
Programs for Children
Teachers, check out the School Programs we offer!
Register now for Presidents' Week Nature Camp! February 20 - 23, 2012
Become a Naturalist: An After School Workhop with Naturalist Alex Lane
Wednesdays in February, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM (no class on 2/22)
In this four week class, children will earn their ENC Naturologist degree. They will study everything from zoology (without being restricted to a zoo) to botany (and what the plants can be used for) to geology (and why we care about it). And much more! Come share (or “grow”) a love of nature and being outdoors through participating in this hands-on, fun, activity-driven exploration of the natural world around us! This workshop for children ages 5-8 will be limited to 15 students. Fee: $40/child for the 4-week session. For questions, or to sign up, call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen. Pre-payment is required.
Little Naturalists: Leaf Man
Thursday, February 2, 2012; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Reservations required! Little Naturalist programs are outdoor experiential education classes designed for 3 – 5 year olds and their adult guardians. Activities are designed to encourage exploration and discovery and to enrich a child’s emerging physical and cognitive skills. On 2-2-2012 we’ll read the book “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert, go on a leaf hunt, then make a leaf man to take home. Children see and touch different leaves, determine which trees they came from, discuss how they are different and why they fall off. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Songbirds: Snow Day
Tuesday, February 7, 2012; 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Children age 3 – 5 and their adult friends are invited to join Beth Syverson, Artistic Director of Con Brio Studios, to learn about how we all can care for Planet Earth. We will use music as a fun and effective tool to help children remember our inter-connectedness with all things. This is a PARENT PARTICIPATION class. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required. No walk-ins. $8 per child.
Science Nerd Series: Physics Phun
Friday, February 10, 2012; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Nerds age 7-12 are invited to spend an afternoon letting their amazing nerd shine through. Cruise on over to the Environmental Nature Center’s outdoor classroom and discover how physics rule the world around us! Ever wonder why you should wear a seatbelt? PHYSICS! We will play with Newton’s Laws of Motion and perform a famous “magic” trick involving a tablecloth. Did you know that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction? Through a series of experiments, we will discover just that! Isaac Newton would be so proud. Space is limited, RSVP required. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen. No walk-ins. Parents remain with students at all times (unless arrangements have been made with the instructor). $10/student. Pre-payment is required.
Little Naturalists: I Love Nature
Monday, February 13, 2012; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Reservations required! Little Naturalist programs are outdoor experiential education classes designed for 3 – 5 year olds and their adult guardians. Activities are designed to encourage exploration and discovery and to enrich a child’s emerging physical and cognitive skills. On 2-13-12 we’ll read the book “I Love You: A Rebus Poem” by Jean Marzollo, go on a hike to hug some trees, pick up trash to show Mother Nature that we love her, make a seed ball to help flowers grow in the Center and make a Valentine’s Day craft to give to someone we love! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Songbirds: Flower Bouquet for Valentine's Day
Tuesday, February 14, 2012; 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Children age 3 – 5 and their adult friends are invited to join Beth Syverson, Artistic Director of Con Brio Studios, to learn about how we all can care for Planet Earth. We will use music as a fun and effective tool to help children remember our inter-connectedness with all things. This is a PARENT PARTICIPATION class. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required. No walk-ins. $8 per child.
Little Songbirds: Songs About Our Beloved Companion Animals
Tuesday, February 28, 2012; 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Children age 3 – 5 and their adult friends are invited to join Beth Syverson, Artistic Director of Con Brio Studios, to learn about how we all can care for Planet Earth. We will use music as a fun and effective tool to help children remember our inter-connectedness with all things. This is a PARENT PARTICIPATION class. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required. No walk-ins. $8 per child.
Programs for Families
Family Nature Walk
Wednesday, February 8, 2012; 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Gather the grandkids and join us at the ENC for a casual meander through the Nature Center with Mrs. G! Learn how to tell how old a tree is, observe the layers of the forest, and discover how both people and animals use local, native plants. RSVP is required. Space is limited. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to RSVP. Free.
Full Moon Walk for the Family
Wednesday, February 8, 2012; 6:00 PM
Join ENC Naturalist Leslie Helliwell to learn all about the Full Moon and the mysterious legends associated with it. Coffee and cocoa will be provided, but bring your reusable mug. Flashlights are discouraged. This program is for humans age 7 and up. This event is $6/participant & $5 for members. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Reservations required. No walk-ins.
Hummingbird Walk
Saturday, February 18, 2012; 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Join ENC Naturalist Leslie Helliwell for a walk in the ENC to search for hummingbirds and their nests. Hummingbirds, called “flying jewels” by the early Spanish explorers, hover in space, power dive and fly backwards and sideways! Learn where these tiny bits of non-stop energy get their fuel, discover how they “broadcast” their color, and learn which plants depend on them for pollination. Cost is $6 per guest ($5 for members). Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Reservations required. No walk-ins.
Stories Under the Stars
Monday, February 27, 2012; 6:30 PM
Many cultures tell stories about the stars and their meanings. Join ENC Naturalist Leslie Helliwell on the darkest night of the month under the New Moon to learn to identify some of the major constellations and enjoy the tales that the Greek and Native American storytellers told as we sit under the stars. Coffee and cocoa will be provided, but bring your reusable mug. This program is for humans age 7 and up. This event is $6/participant or $5/member. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Reservations required. No walk-ins.
Programs for Adults
Yoga in Nature
Wednesdays, February 8 & 15, 2012; 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Visit the ENC to relax and strengthen with some basic to intermediate yoga techniques. Yoga works on the body and mind and is suitable for people of all ages and physical abilities. It promotes strength and flexibility as well as good posture. It gives us tools for relaxation and concentration. Some previous yoga experience is helpful. Bring a yoga mat if you have one, otherwise we have some available to borrow. Wear stretchy or loose clothes. Drop in fee: $6 ($5 for members). Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen for information.
How to Draw and Paint Native Plants and Animals
Thursdays, February 9, 16, and 23, 2012; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: $60/session or $25/class
Join Artist and Traveling Naturalist Sama Wareh for a 3-part session on how to Draw and Paint Native Plants and Animals.Learn drawing and painting skills while also learning interesting facts and plants and animals. Each participant will complete one or two paintings, and if they choose, will learn artistic natural methods for framing their art piece. All materials are provided. To RSVP, call 949-645-8489.
Native Plant Sale
Saturday, February 18, 2012; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Are you ready to SAVE MONEY on water and landscape maintenance? Whether your goal is to draw more butterflies or birds to your yard, save water, reduce pesticide use, or showcase color throughout the year, native plants can help! This sale will feature plants especially attractive to hummingbirds! Call 949-645-8489 for more info.