- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Eggs
Crossroads at Big Creek will again offer EGGStravaganza on Saturday, April 4 at 10:00 am. To be clear, this is NOT an Egg Hunt, but rather an educational program that happens to be great fun. With the probable exception of owls, our wild birds are not yet laying this time of year, so we EGGamine and EGGSperiment with the eggs of domestic chickens. This seasonal curiosity is no surprise—eggs are very much on the minds of many of our young visitors, and some observant children (especially those who play with their food) have noticed that eggs have several distinct parts.
Take the yolk (and we will on Saturday). Many folks assume that the yolk grows into baby chicks. After all, hatchlings are yellow, and eggs varying in shades of yellow. But the yolk is not a baby bird-in-progress. Instead, it functions as a kind of lunch box, filled with all the nutrients necessary to nourish a chicken embryo from the time it is a single cell until it hatches 21 days later as a scraggly, wet—but soon-to-be fluffy—little bird. There is no umbilical cord between the hen and the egg, so everything the growing embryo needs must already be inside the egg when it is laid.
Traditionally, the program begins with two short but fascinating videos about chick development. Then the fun begins as participants squeeze, toss, roll, and dissect eggs while discussing the function of each part of this remarkable package of life. And yes… we will still be dropping eggs out the upper-level windows of the Collins Learning Center. Each young person can experiment (within reason) with an egg to determine just how resilient the shell of a raw egg can be. It might be a bit messy. There may be surprises. It will be fun! Families and learners of all ages are encouraged to join us.
In keeping with the avian theme, the Monday Movie Matinee at 1:30 pm on April 6 will feature “Our Birds,” a documentary exploring the more than 2,000 miles of the journey Wisconsin’s migratory birds make each year, highlighting both the perils they face and the ways people in Wisconsin and Latin America are working to understand and support these remarkable travelers. This free screening is open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.
On Wednesday, April 8, the spring session of Junior Nature Club begins. This free preschool six-week class supports Crossroads’ mission by fostering early connections to nature, encouraging curiosity, and building a community grounded in environmental learning and stewardship. Each week features themed stories, hands-on activities, and outdoor excursions and play that inspire families to explore and care for our shared environment. Reservations are not required, but guardians are asked to stay with the group. Siblings are welcome. We meet rain, snow, or shine, so come dressed for outdoor exploration. If the weather is too severe, activities will move indoors.
– by Coggin Heeringa, Interpretive Naturalist
For more information, please check out our Crossroads calendar or stop by the Collins Learning Center and pick up a printed calendar. Programs are free and our trails are open all day every day, free of charge, thanks to donors like you!
Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. Crossroads is a 501(c)(3) non-profit NGO committed to inspiring stewardship of the environment through education, research, and outdoor experiences. We welcome your support.
Upcoming Activities
