 |
St. Joseph County Parks |
Calendar of Events
September |
October |
November |
December
For program information or
reservations call 574/654-3155.
Bring your lawn chairs and shade device to enjoy the Annual Pow Wow at St. Patrick’s County Park. The Native Peoples of North America will host several tribes that display authentic regalia, customs, ceremonies, drumming and dance contests. Participate in demonstrations, dance with Aztec dancers, and check out the Indiana wigwam village and teepees. Vendors will offer Native American food, jewelry, beadwork, leatherwork and other cultural crafts. For more information call 231/271-6661. |
 |
Learn how to use a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device on a high-tech “treasure hunt”! Bring a GPS unit if possible; limited loaner units are available. A special geocache course will be set up just for this event! Bring your food and drinks; charcoal and grill will be provided. Registration and payment are required by September 7. (Min. 4; max. 15) |
 |
See scientists in action at BioBlitz as they identify the plants and animals which call Spicer Lake Nature Preserve home. Help us collect data! Join South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society members for a bird hike (8am) and park staff for pond scooping (11am) or insect sweeping (1pm). |
 |
Become a certified volunteer water monitor! This training introduces you to water quality monitoring utilizing hands-on assessment methods. Learn the use of chemical monitoring kits and aquatic insect collection and identification. Bring a sack lunch. The training is free; materials and class size are limited. Registration is required by September 1. (Min. 4; max. 12) |
 |
Clay Fire Territory will perform a Ringing of the Bell ceremony at the Freedom Memorial, in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001. The Freedom Memorial includes a sculpture entitled “Standing Tall” and a section of a steel beam from Ground Zero in New York City. |
 |
Bike Michiana for Hospice is a public fundraiser benefiting the Bike Michiana Coalition and the Center for Hospice. A family ride and 25-, 40-, 62- and 101.5-mile rides are available. For more information about registration e-mail info@centerforhospice.org, or call the Center for Hospice at 574/ 243-3711. |
 |
Parents and children are invited to attend this beginners’ fishing lesson. Basic fundamentals about rods, reels, hooks, lines and baits will be discussed. Registrants receive a free aquatic theme poster or coloring book! Registration and payment are required by September 10. (Min. 4; max. 12) |
 |
Learn all about water in this hands-on workshop designed for educators! Activities are designed to help teach students of all ages about the importance of water. Each participant receives a K-12 curriculum and activity guide upon completion of the workshop. Bring a sack lunch. Registration and payment are required by September 7. (Min. 10; max. 25) |
 |
Join us for a fun, competitive event! Entrance fee includes: 10% pro shop discounts, door prizes, parking and a daily disc golf pass. The divisions are Novice, Am II, Am III, Open and Junior (under 16 yrs old). Registration will only be available on site at 9am and is limited to the first 72 players. |
 |
Bring your dog to the park for some exercise and show your support for Pet Refuge! Be sure to get your pledge sheets before September 11! For information and pledge sheets visit www.muttmarch.org or call 574/256-0886. Organized and sponsored by Pet Refuge. |
 |
Enjoy a night of live Irish and Scottish music and dancing with the local band Lorica! Participants will learn several simple dances from Ireland, Scotland and Wales with experienced dancers. Bring those dancing feet for an event the whole family will enjoy! Registration and payment are required by September 20. (Min. 8; max. 35) |
 |
- 30 Thursday
- Fall Stroller Walk
- Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center
- 10 to 11:30am
- Fee: $3/child
Bring your baby or toddler (up to three years old) in a stroller or baby carrier, to see, hear, touch and smell the natural world. The program will include songs, stories, snacks and a guided walk. Registration and payment are required by September 28. (Min. 5)
Ages 12 and up. Enjoy a fall evening at the park making your own gourd bird feeder. You’ll create a functional bird feeder for your own backyard. Registration and payment are required by September 20. (Min. 5; max. 15) |
 |
- 2 Saturday
- Badge Blitz for Girl Scouts
Bendix Woods County Park - 10am to 3pm (to earn two badges)
- OR
- 10am-noon or 1-3pm (to earn one badge)
- Fee: $4/scout/badge (includes one lunch ticket)
Park staff will lead activities that will meet the requirements for the Animals, Eco-Explorer, Science Wonders and Water Everywhere badges. (Scout leaders are responsible for acquiring badges). Each scout will also receive one lunch ticket. Additional refreshments will be available for purchase. Program will take place rain or shine. Registration and payment are required by September 24. (Min. 5; max. 15 per badge per time slot)
- 22 Friday
- Hoots & Hayrides
- Bendix Woods County Park
- 6 to 9pm
- Fee: $7/vehicle
Join us for an evening of hayrides and nocturnal exploration. Go on a leisurely hayride, relax by the campfire while enjoying refreshments, meet a live owl, explore our prairie maze and enjoy kids’ crafts. An evening of fun for the entire family. Rain or shine. No registration is necessary.
Join park staff on a tour to Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve in Fremont, Indiana during the Fall Rendezvous. Wild Wind Buffalo Preserve is located an hour and a half from South Bend. Nestled around a lake, trees, and open prairie, the 400- acre preserve is home to a herd of 250 bison. Cameras and all ages are welcome. Registration and payment are required by October 20. (Min. 8; max. 10) |
 |
Join staff from the American Red Cross to learn basic first aid skills for pets. Pet First Aid is designed to protect both pet owners and their pets during emergencies by teaching actions and care to safeguard the life of a sick or injured pet. Learn rescue breathing for pets, response to choking, CPR, treating cuts and injuries to muscles, bones, bandaging and splinting. Bring a lunch. Registration and payment are required by October 15. For more information or to register call the American Red Cross at 574/234-0191. (Min. 6; max. 16) |
 |
- 30 Saturday
- Women Experience the Outdoors: Outdoor Cooking
- Bendix Woods County Park: Studebaker Shelter
- 9am to 12:30pm
- Fee: $15/person
Join other women and learn the art of preparing tasty food outdoors. Discover the trick to cooking with dutch ovens, tin cans, orange peels and broom handles. Finish off the morning with a delicious lunch that you have prepared outdoors! Registration and payment are required by September 25. (Min. 6; max.16)
See the stars and constellations of fall! Make and take home your own planisphere. Park staff will demonstrate the use of the equipment and discuss mythology related to many of the constellations. Viewing aids will be provided and no experience is necessary. |
 |
Bring your dog for a Tail Waggin’ tractor-drawn hayride through the crisp autumn air. Refreshments for dogs and owners are available for purchase. Concession proceeds and hayride fees benefit park improvement projects. Pet-related donation items are accepted for a local animal shelter. Pets must be on a 6-foot leash. Pet costumes are welcome! |
 |
- 6 Saturday
- Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski
- Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area
- 4:30pm: Depart from St. Patrick’s County Park; return: 8:30pm
- Fee: $7/person
Join park staff for a trip to Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area to see the annual Sandhill Crane migration. Bring a sack lunch for an evening dinner. Observe over a thousand birds dancing, eating and preening at dusk and enjoy homemade baked goods provided by park staff. Registration and payment are required by November 2. If there is inclement weather, alternate date is Sunday, November 7. (Min.10; max. 20).
Join park staff and a local pottery craftsperson to learn the “slump” method of pottery making. Make a bowl, pot or cup using self-hardening clay that does not require firing in a kiln. All materials will be provided. Registration and payment are required by November 10. (Min. 6; max. 12) |
 |
Learn how to use a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device on
a high-tech “treasure hunt”. Bring a GPS unit if possible;
limited loaner units are available. Check out www.geocaching.com
to find out more. A special geocache course will be set up just
for this event! Registration and |
|
Come celebrate the holidays and make your own ornaments! Learn how to clean and handle the wheat and weave it into three or four different items that can be used as ornaments or wall hangings. Bring a sack lunch and sturdy scissors (or kitchen scissors). Registration and payment are required by November 22. (Min. 6; max. 15) |
 |