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Programs for Children
Register now for Presidents' Week Nature Camp! February 20 - 23, 2012
Mad Scientist: A Home School Workshop with Naturalist Alex Lane
Thursdays in March, 2012; 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Science can sometimes be mistaken for magic and magic for science. It’s easy to understand how the two can be mixed up with all of the explosions, unbelievable reactions and incredible experiments, but all the magic can be explained through science! In this 5-week class, get your hands dirty with non-Newtonian fluids and goop (that’s the scientific term) and discover all the amazing things water and carbon dioxide can do. Students will be amazed to not only to watch the “impossible” happen but to learn the science behind it, through a variety of hands-on and exciting experiments. Parents remain with students at all times (unless arrangements have been made with the instructor). Ages 5-7, cost is $50. Enrollment begins in early February.
Little Naturalists: Fabulous Flowers
Thursday, March 1, 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 3-1-12 we’ll learn that flowers produce seeds, and provide food for animals. We’ll act out a flower “skit,” use magnifying lenses to look for tiny pollinators on Spring flowers, plant seeds to take home, and make a flower craft! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Songbirds: Dirt Made My Lunch
Tuesday, March 6, 2012; 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Where does all our food come from? The DIRT! We'll sing silly and serious songs about food, glorious food. And we'll get to eat some too! 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: Science Cuisine
Friday, March 9, 2012; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Nerds age 7-12 are invited to spend an afternoon letting their amazing nerd shine through. Become a molecular gastronomist right here in the Environmental Nature Center’s natural kitchen and discover the ways that ingredients transform in physical and chemical ways through the art of cooking. We’ll make real root beer using a microorganism, change the molecular structure of milk to make cheese, make our very own dry-ice cider and break some molecular bonds to create ice cream! Please be aware of any food allergies or intolerances that you or your children may have. 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: Jump, Frog, Jump!
Thursday, March 15, 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 3-15-12 we’ll hop through the Center, play a game of musical lily pads, read, “Jump, Frog, Jump!” and make a frog craft. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Songbirds: The Ants are Marching Two by Two
Tuesday, March 20, 2012; 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
We'll go BUGGY singing songs about our 6-legged friends - ants and other insects. 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: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Tuesday, March 27, 2012; 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
And on that farm he had...lots of farm animals. Prepare for a pig-squealing contest and lots of silly farm songs. Wear your overalls! 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.
Mad Scientist: A Home School Workshop with Naturalist Meghan Lockwood
Wednesdays in April and May, 2012; 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (no class 4/11)
SCIENCE!! From atoms, to xylem, science is what this world is all about. This eight-week class introduces students to the principles of physics, chemistry and more through a variety of exciting, hands-on experiments. We’ll have some fun with Carbon Dioxide, meet some magical molecules, experiment with a guy named Newton, learn the science of colors, dive into some slime and make some safe explosions. Includes a science fair the last week. Parents remain with students at all times (unless arrangements have been made with the instructor). Ages 8-12, Cost is $80. Enrollment begins in early March.
Survival Student: A Home School Workshop with Naturalist Alex Lane
Thursdays in April, 2012; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (no class 4/12)
Think you’ve got what it takes to survive in the wild? Come and find out in this fun, four-week class. We’ll test your limits by learning what it would be like to survive on the moon and in the desert alike. We’ll build water-filtering systems, learn some basic first aid skills, and make our own fires. This knowledge could save your life, but it’s also a ton of fun! As a finale, we’ll test our skills on a real overnight camping trip, right here at the ENC. So come for the survival and stay for the S’mores! Parents remain with students at all times (unless arrangements have been made with the instructor). Ages 7-12, cost is $30 per student plus $100 per family for the overnight. Overnight on Friday, May 4th, 5:00 PM - 10:00 AM. Enrollment begins in early March.
Little Naturalists: Bodacious Beetles
Monday, April 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 4-2-12 we’ll read “Ladybug on the Move,” hike through the Center on an insect “scavenger hunt,” and make a ladybug craft! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Science Nerd Series: Amazing Air Pressure
Friday, April 20, 2012; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Nerds age 7-12 are invited to spend an afternoon letting their amazing nerd shine through. Who cares about air? You can’t see it! You can’t smell it! You can’t taste it! But without it, Earth would not be such a great place to live. Come on over to the Environmental Nature Center and learn about the powerful invisible force that we call air pressure. Through a series of hands-on science experiments, we’ll learn about expansion and contraction, see some unbelievable reactions, save a “president” and launch our very own hot air balloon. 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: Bodacious Beetles
Monday, April 23, 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 4-23-12 we’ll learn about the life of a log! We’ll read “A Log’s Life,” use magnifying lenses to look for tiny mushrooms, plants and creatures living on our fallen trees, and make bark rubbings! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Naturalists: Beautiful Butterflies
Tuesday, May 1, 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 5-1-12 we’ll explore the Nature Center in search of wild butterflies, read “Waiting for Wings, ” make a butterfly craft and visit the butterfly house to see real, live butterflies! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Naturalists: Beautiful Butterflies
Tuesday, May 11, 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 5-11-12 we’ll learn about insects and butterflies. We’ll explore the Nature Center on an insect “hunt,” read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, make caterpillar clips, and visit the butterfly house. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Naturalists: Magical Monarchs
Wednesday, May 16, 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 5-16-12 we’ll explore the Nature Center in search of monarchs and other wild butterflies, read “Gotta Go, Gotta Go!," play a monarch migration game, visit the butterfly house to see real, live monarchs, and plant locally native seed so children can attract butterflies to their own backyard! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Little Naturalists: Amazing Animals
Friday, May 25, 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 5-25-12 we’ll hike through the Nature Center and learn all about animals! Children feel real hawk and owl wings, and meet and touch four live animals: an insect, an amphibian, a reptile and a mammal. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $7 ($6 for members).
Little Naturalists: Celebrate Summer!
Wednesday, June 20, 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 6-20-12 we’ll learn all about the changing seasons, and hike through the Center enjoying the warmth of the sun! We’ll search for wild butterflies and flowers, enjoy the shade of our tall, green trees, listen to the birds sing and the bees buzz, and watch the rabbits play. We’ll stop to read “Fireflies!,” then make a Summery craft to take home. Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to reserve a space for your child. Reservations required! Fee: $6 ($5 for members).
Programs for Families
Getting there, Greener
Thursday, March 1, 2012; 6:00 PM
Join us at the ENC for a very special evening with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)! Learn ways to get off the road, and onto a bus, train, carpool, or bike. Discover ridesharing - a positive force in the community that helps protect the environment and the quality of life in Orange County. Learn how to ride the bus! Getting around Orange County can be easy and inexpensive when you ride the bus. OCTA’s countywide system has 77 bus routes and 6,200 bus stops to get you practically anywhere you want to go in Orange County. Bus riding basics will be provided, including: how to ride, reading a schedule, riding tips, using a bike rack, safety and security. Guests who complete a quick survey will receive a promotional one-day bus pass! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to RSVP. Reservations required. FREE.
Full Moon Walk for the Family
Thursday, March 8, 2012; 6:30 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.
Family Nature Walk
Wednesday, March 14, 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.
Programs for Adults
Getting there, Greener
Thursday, March 1, 2012; 6:00 PM
Join us at the ENC for a very special evening with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)! Learn ways to get off the road, and onto a bus, train, carpool, or bike. Discover ridesharing - a positive force in the community that helps protect the environment and the quality of life in Orange County. Learn how to ride the bus! Getting around Orange County can be easy and inexpensive when you ride the bus. OCTA’s countywide system has 77 bus routes and 6,200 bus stops to get you practically anywhere you want to go in Orange County. Bus riding basics will be provided, including: how to ride, reading a schedule, riding tips, using a bike rack, safety and security. Guests who complete a quick survey will receive a promotional one-day bus pass! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to RSVP. Reservations required. FREE.
Walk with our Founder, Robert House
Saturday, March 3, 2012; 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Take a walk with ENC founder, Robert House and learn about the plant communities of California while enjoying the natural beauty of the ENC. Admission is free and there are no tour fees. Bring a sack lunch to eat after the walk! Call 949-645-8489 or email Lori Whalen to RSVP. Reservations required. No walk-ins.
Yoga in Nature
Wednesdays in March, 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.
Advanced Henna Workshop
Thursday, March 8, 2012; 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Designed for individuals who are already familiar with henna or have taken a henna workshop already at the ENC, this class will focus on really enhancing henna skills, refining lines, developing the henna design book, and getting some good practice on the henna they already are acquainted with. Participants will learn how to draw and apply styles from around the world. To RSVP, call (949) 645-8489.
Yoga in Nature
Wednesdays, Apriil 4, 18 & 25, 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.
Henna Workshop
Thursday, April 26, 2012; 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Eastern Art is rapidly influencing the West. What was once a wedding tradition associated with the application of henna is becoming an everyday treat in America due to its health benefits and temporary attributes. Henna is a temporary dye made from Lawsonia Alba, a plant grown along the Mediterranean. Workshop Participants will learn the history of henna, symbolism attached to the design, along with a solid foundation for creating designs and applying the paste. Participants will not only leave the course with their own henna cone and henna tattoo but will also take home their very own design book built on symmetry, intricacy and simplicity, composition, and balance: the fundamental elements of design. This course is intended for all drawing levels. Enjoy Turkish coffee and sweets while you learn! To RSVP, call (949) 645-8489.
Yoga in Nature
Wednesdays in May, 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.
Upcycled and Beautiful!
Thursday, May 17, 2012; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$15/participant
Make jewelry out of old giftcards and magazines, storage containers out of baby jars, and beautiful journals out of cardboard (all in time for graduation gifts!) This workshop focuses on taking trash and, with a few manipulations here and there, transforming it into a reusable and beautiful new masterpiece. All materials provided. To RSVP, call (949) 645-8489.