St. Joseph County Parks

Bendix WoodsFerrettie/BaugoPlace Trail MarshLaSalle TrailSpicer LakeSt. Patrick'sAnderson RoadChamberlain Lake
 
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Nature Munchkins
 
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Calendar of Events
February | March

For program information or reservations call 574/654-3155.


February


  • 4              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. Join County Parks staff as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Science Alive! with displays and hands-on activities about winter birds! For more information call 574/282-4613.


  •  9              Thursday
  • Home School Program: Winter Animals
  • Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter
  • 10 to 11:30am
  • Fee: $3/child

Welcome, home school families! Discover the many ways in which animals deal with the weather, investigate the evidence of animal activity around the park, and make animal track guides to take home. Registration is required by February 7.


  • 11           Saturday
  • Introduction to the Mountain Dulcimer
  • St. Patrick’s County Park: White Barn Harvest Room
  • 10am to noon OR 1 to 3pm
  • Fee: $10/person

Join us for a relaxed, informal class with the “Kentucky Woman”. No experience with playing or reading music is necessary. Limited loaner dulcimers available; bring your own dulcimer if possible. 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 8. (Min. 10; max. 20)

Mountain Dulcimer

  • 18           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.

Tapping Day

  • 18        Saturday
  • Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve
  • Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center
  • 9am to noon
  • Fee: $3/person

Calling young birders! Join park staff at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve for the Great Backyard Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Young participants, 3rd through 8th grade, are invited to join us in bird watching from the window as we identify and count species. Parents are welcome to join in as well. Snack and hot cocoa will be provided. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars or borrow a pair from the park. Weather permitting, participants will complete the morning with a hike through the preserve on snowshoes. Registration required by February 13. (Min. 5; max. 10)

Bird Window

March


  • 3              Saturday
  • Maple Chili Lunch
  • Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter
  • 11:30am to 2pm
  • Fee: $6/adult; $3/child ages 6-11; 5 and under FREE.

Join us for a taste of homemade chili, cornbread and desserts made with maple syrup from our own sugar bush. After lunch, we will head to the sugar bush to tap a tree and visit the sugar house to see maple syrup being made (weather permitting). Registration and payment are required by February 24. (Min. 15; max. 50)

Maple Chili Lunch

  • 10           Saturday
  • Geocache Chili Dump
  • St. Patrick’s County Park: Harvest Room
  • GPS coordinates: N 41° 45.473’, W 086° 16.055’
  • Noon to 4pm
  • Fee:  $5/person

Bring some chili to contribute to the lunch pot and learn how to use a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device on a high-tech “treasure hunt” at St. Patrick’s County Park and throughout the world! Bring a GPS unit if possible; limited loaner units are available. A special geocache course will be set up just for this event! Bowls, spoons, fixin’s and drinks provided. Registration is required by March 7. (Min. 4; max. 15)

Geocache Chili Dump

  • 17 & 18 Saturday and Sunday
  • Sugar Camp Days
  • Bendix Woods County Park
  • 8:30am to 3pm
  •  Fee: $7/vehicle
Sugar Camp Days

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! Break the winter blues and stay the day!

Acrobat Reader Advertising Program Rate Agreement- 2012 Acrobat Reader Sponsorship Letter- 2012

Rent-A-Sap Bucket 2012
Support our maple sugaring operations by renting a sap bucket! With your donation of $35, you will receive a maple syrup goody bag. The first 50 participants will have their names placed on the front of collection buckets hung by school children visiting the sugar bush at Bendix Woods. For more information or to request an order form call 574/654-3155 or click here.


Other Park Programs


Nature Munchkins

Parents or grandparents, discover nature with your 3- to 4-year-old. Sessions take place the third Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11am at St. Patrick’s County Park. The fee is $5 per adult/child and $3 for a second child, or register for four sessions for $16. Registration and advance payment are required. (Min. 5; max. 10) Siblings outside of the age bracket are not allowed to attend please.

  • September 15 – Spiders!
  • October 20 – Bats
  • November 17 – Deer
  • December 15 – Winter Birds