---

January

---

9          Saturday Cross Country Ski Clinic St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn 10am to noon Fee: $5/person Ages 12 and up

Join members of the Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team for a cross country ski clinic. Topics include equipment selection, waxing, clothing and gear, safety techniques and training. If snow allows, there will also be a ski lesson for skiers of all experience levels. Registration and payment are required by January 6.

---

• 14        Thursday
• Winter Home School Program: Tracks
• Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer
• 2 to 3:30pm
• Fee: $3/person

Welcome, home school families! Mammals are adapted for survival in amazing ways. This month become a detective and solve a winter mystery, track down wild creatures using the clues they leave behind and make your own track guide.
Registration is required by January 12.

---

30        Saturday Women Experience the Outdoors – Archery St. Patrick’s County Park: Harvest Room 9am to noon Fee: $12/ person

Join other women who share your enthusiasm and curiosity for the outdoors. St. Joseph County Parks now offer hands-on classes developed BY women FOR women who are ready to get out and try something new, or to refine a rusty skill! In the morning enjoy a biscuits and gravy breakfast made with Bendix Woods maple syrup and venison. Learn some tips for cooking with venison in your new cook book. Then receive hands-on instruction in an archery lesson. Warm up with some hot cocoa and end the morning by sampling an easy appetizer made with venison. Registration and payment are required by January 25. To print off registration information click here. (Min. 6; max. 18)

---

February

---

• 6          Saturday
• Science Alive!
• St. Joseph County Public Library
• 10am to 4pm

Science Alive! at the St. Joseph County Library gives K- through 8th-graders an opportunity to learn more about science and technology. The County Parks’ staff will be there with a hands-on investigation into the creepy, crawly world of spiders. For more information call 574/282-4613.

---

• 18        Thursday
• Winter Home School Program: Deer
• Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer
• 2 to 3:30pm
• Fee: $3/person

Welcome, home school families! Mammals are adapted for survival in amazing ways. This month become a deer searching for food, water and shelter; explore hooves, hollow hairs and antlers; and discover how deer populations grow and change. Registration is required by February 16.

---

• 20        Saturday
• Tapping Day
• Bendix Woods County Park: Sauk Trail Shelter
• 9:30am to 12:30pm

Grab your braces and bits—it’s time to tap! Volunteers are needed to help tap trees and get the Bendix Woods sugar bush ready for making maple syrup! Please bring a hammer and a brace with a 5/16” bit (if available). This activity is outdoors, so dress for the weather. Volunteers should arrive before 10:30am.

---

27        Saturday Introduction to the Mountain Dulcimer Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Interpretive Center 10am to noon OR 1 to 3pm Fee: $10/person

This workshop is a must for anyone who has ever wanted to experience playing the dulcimer. Join us for a relaxed, informal class with the “Kentucky Woman”. No experience with playing or reading music is necessary. Music will be provided. Limited loaner dulcimers are available; bring your own dulcimer if you have access to one. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The lesson is the same at both time slots. Registration and payment are required by February 24. (Min. 10; max. 20)

---

March

---

6          Saturday Mat Making St. Patrick’s County Park: Harvest Room 10am to noon Fee: $10/person Ages 14 and up

The Ocean Plait is a popular pattern for floor mats, table decoration, stair treads, wall hangings, coasters, hair barrettes and jewelry. Registration and payment are required by March 3. (Min. 4; max. 10)

---

6          Saturday Geocaching: The Great GPS Stash Hunt St. Patrick’s County Park: Harvest Room GPS coordinates: N 41° 45.473’, W 086° 16.055’ 1 to 4pm Fee: $2/person

Learn how to use a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device on a high-tech “treasure hunt” to find caches at St. Patrick’s County Park and throughout the world! Bring a GPS unit if possible; limited loaner units are available. Not sure what Geocaching is all about? Check out www.geocaching.com to find out more about this fun and exciting international sport. A special geocache course will be set up just for this event! Registration is required by March 3. (Min. 4; max. 15)

---

• 13           Saturday
• Springtime Crochet!
• Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Interpretive Center
• 1 to 4pm
• Fee: $10/person

It may be gloomy outside, but with one stitch and a bright color you can beat the winter blues. Learn the basics of crochet! Participants will learn how to hold the hook, and to perform basic stitches for a hat or scarf. You will keep your hook and the alpaca yarn. Registration and payment are required by March 10. (Min. 3; max. 15)

---

• 20 & 21     Saturday & Sunday
• Sugar Camp Days
• Bendix Woods County Park
• 8:30am to 3pm
• Fee: $5/vehicle

Join us in celebration as the end of winter nears! Watch sap cook into syrup, enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast (a New Carlisle Lion’s Club fundraiser), tour the Sugar Bush, purchase home-made baked goods made with pure maple syrup, enjoy family music and much more! Stay the day!

Sugar Camp Days Sponsorship Letter

Sugar Camp Days Advertising Program Rate Agreement

  Rent-a-Sap-Bucket Program