- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Year-round Learning and Exploration
Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer—but at Crossroads at Big Creek, learning and exploration continue year-round!
This summer, Crossroads hosted camps for the Boys and Girls Club, programs with the YMCA and PATH, Family Programs with Joan, Treks with Terrie, and Saturday Science. As the school year begins, we remain committed to offering family-friendly programs—in which “family” means learners of all ages are welcome.
The Center for Families, Communities, Schools and Children reminds us: “Children learn best through their everyday experiences with the people they love and trust, and when the learning is fun. And the best place for these experiences is outdoors, in the natural world.”
With that in mind, our Science Saturdays series will continue almost every week this school year. Originally designed for children, these hands-on science experiences increasingly attract adults eager to experience the fun of learning. The same is true for our after-school Environmental Explorationsessions, held Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m., and our Junior Nature Club, a preschool program resuming Wednesdays beginning September 17.
This Saturday’s Science Saturday program will focus on hexagons—six-sided polygons that appear repeatedly in nature. Beekeepers are familiar with the hexagonal structure of honeycombs, and fossil hunters know the beauty of honeycomb coral [and Petoskey stones.]
But hexagons are everywhere: in the arrangement of cells in our eyes, the compound eyes of insects, the shells of turtles, and the segments of pineapples. And wait—there’s more. Even NASA chose a hexagonal design for the mirrors of the Webb Space Telescope. Participants will explore hexagons through videos and engaging activities (including some edible options—please let us know if you have dietary restrictions).
This coming week, our Environmental Exploration program on Tuesday, September 2, at 3:30 p.m. we will explore what different fish eat by examining their mouths. While we won’t be eating fish, we will gain fascinating insights into aquatic life. As always, adults are welcome to join, with the understanding that activities are designed with elementary students in mind.
Collins Learning Center will be closed on Labor Day but our trails are open all day, every day, free of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors. Crossroads at Big Creek invites you to step outside, learn something new, and celebrate the changing season with us.
– 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. 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) organization committed to inspiring stewardship of the environment through education, research, and outdoor experiences. We welcome your support.
Upcoming Activities
