Family Programs
Nature's Trading PostThe trading post is open! Trade the one or two objects you have found in nature for points or other nature objects in our collection.
Click here for more information:Nature's Trading Post
Ages: All Ages (Under 13 accompanied by adult)
Dates: Saturdays November 21,December 19, January 16, and February 20
Time: 11:00 a.m.- Noon
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Fee: Free!
Sailing Classes at Sandy Creek ParkJoin certified instructors and learn about sailing at Lake Chapman. A swim test is required for all classes. This program is available for youth and adults.
Instructors will be teach basic sailing principles, tacking and jibing techniques, onland drills, safety considerations, rigging and launching, and (weather dependent) free-sailing time. All participants need to bring a sack lunch.
Class date for youth, ages 8-15 years, is November 21 from 10am-2pm. The fee is $35 for ACC residents and $54 for non-county residents. Scholarships are available for qualifying residents.
Adult classes, for ages 16 years and older, is scheduled for November 21, 10am-3pm. The fee is $46 for ACC residents and $72 Non-ACC residents.
Registration is underway calling (706) 613-3631. A minimum of four participants is required. Space is limited.
Second Saturday StorytimeLearn about the woods, turtles, butterflies and more!
Ages: All Ages (Under 13 accompanied by adult)
Dates: Second Saturday of each month.
Fall Season: November 14
Winter Season: December 12, January 9, Feburary 13
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Naturalist's WalkLook for butterflies in our garden, listen for frogs at the pond and search for salamanders in our woods. Bring your camera and/or binoculars.
Ages: All Ages (Under 13 accompanied by adult)
Dates: Saturdays, November 21, December 19, January 16, Feburary 20
Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Registration: None required
Fee: Free!
Eatin' with the CrittersBring a sack lunch and join us on alternating Wednesday afternoons for an hour of learning about "Past to Present."
Click here to see a special Eatin' with the Critters video
Ages: 3-5 years with adult
Date: Alternate Wednesdays September 2-November 11
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Location: ENSAT, Sandy Creek Nature Center
Registration:
Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3615X 0
Fee:$16/ACC residents (dependent on scholarship eligibility), $25/Non-ACC residents
Full Moon PaddlesPaddle a canoe or kayak on Lake Chapman. Participants can use one of the park's canoes or bring their own. All classes are weather dependent. Pre-registration is required by calling (706) 613-3631
Ages: 12 years and older
Dates and Times: Sunday November 1 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Location: Sandy Creek Park
Fee: $5 for ACC Resident ($3 with own canoe), $8 for Non-ACC Resident ($5 with own canoe)
Tikes, Trikes and Strollers Turkey Ride Bring out the little ones and enjoy fun Thanksgiving themed games and events.
Date:Wednesday November 18
Time: 10:00- 11:30 a.m.
Location: TBA
Registration: Please call (706)613-3615 x242
Fees: $2/ACC Residents, $5/Non-ACC Residents
Please call (706)613-3615 x 242 for location information.
Star WatchJoin the SCP and the Athens Astronomical Association as we check out the rarely seen planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus!
Ages: All Ages
Date: Friday, November 20
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Park
Fee: $2 park entrance fee, per person
Geocaching AdventuresLearn the basics of geocaching, including how to use a GPS unit and no trace ethics before we go geocaching to search for hidden treasure. GPS units will be provided.
Ages:All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: Saturdays, November 21. December 5, Jan 30, or Feb. 20
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Cost: $2 ACC, $5 Non-ACC
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Family Disc Golf DayLearn how to play disc golf. Basic instruction, equipment and guidance provided.
Ages: Families, Ages 8 and older
Date: Saturday, November 28
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Park
Registration: Pre-register at (706)613-3631
Fee: $5 for ACC Resident, $8 for Non-ACC Resident
Athens Farmers Market at Bishop ParkBuy local! The Athens Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - Noon through October 31
Click here for information about Athens Farmers Market
Full Moon HikeA guided night hike by the light of the full moon. We'll see nature in a different light as we try to spot the flora and fauna of the Greenway by moonlight. This hike will be at night on an uneven surface.
Age:All Ages welcome, children must be accompanied with an adult.
Date:Wednesday, December 2 from 6:00-8:30pm; Saturday January 30 from 6:30-9:00p.m.;Sunday February 28 from 6:00-8:30 p.m
Fee:$2 ACC residents, $5 Non-ACC residents
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Starwatch: Geminid Meteor ShowersJoin Sandy Creek Park and the Athens Astronomical Association as they share with you the views of the Geminid Meteor showers and planets Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Neptune. Rain or Shine – if the skies don’t cooperate, join Dr. Snook as he presents a talk on meteor showers and comets. Starlab will be set up inside.
Ages: All Ages
Date: Sunday, December 13
Time:6:00- 9 p.m.
Fee:$2/ACC Resident, $3/Non-ACC Resident
Tikes, Trikes & Strollers- Winter Wonderland Bundle up your toddlers and go for a quick spin down the Greenway. Bring a scooter, stroller, tricycle or bike to decorate, then we'll have hot chocolate, snacks and games.
Age:Preschool years, must be accompanied by an adult.
Date:Thursday, December 17
Time:1:00-2:30pm
Fee:$2 ACC residents, $5 Non-ACC residents
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Wilderness SkillsSandy Creek Park and the Greenway are partnering to teach outdoor survival techniques, wilderness first aid and how to be prepared for an emergency in the great outdoors.
Ages: All ages under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Date: Saturdays, December 19, January 23,and February 6
Time:9:00-11:00
Fee: $2 ACC residents, $5 Non-ACC residents
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Blue Moon HikeExperience this “once in a blue moon” event to see how plants and animals ring in the new year! This hike will be at night on an uneven surface.
Age:All ages welcome, children must be accompanied with an adult.
Date:Thursday, December 31
Time:6:00-8:30pm
Fee:$2 ACC, $5 Non-ACC
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Invasive CraftsLearn to make crafts out of invasive plants harvested from the Greenway! We will also learn why these plants are invasive, the harm they cause and the best way to remove them.
Ages: All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: Thursdays, January 7 and February 11 2010
Time:10:00 - Noon
Fee: $2 ACC residents, $5 Non-ACC residents
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Bike Safety ClassA partner event with BikeAthens to teach kids about bike safety including how to wear a helmet, passing pedestrians, obeying traffic laws, etc. Will begin with a discussion, followed by safety lessons, end with a ride down the Greenway and hot chocolate!
Ages: 8-14 years, who already know how to ride a bike.
Date:Saturday, January 9,
Time:1:00-3:00pm
Fee:Cost: $2 ACC, $5 non-ACC
Log House, Tales from the PastLearn about life in the nineteenth century through stories, games, food and handicrafts.
Ages: For families (children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult)
Date:Saturday, January 23
Time: 2:00- 4 p.m.
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3615, ext. 0
Fee: $6/ACC Resident Families, $9/ Non-ACC Resident Families
Tikes, Trikes & Strollers- Chinese New Year!Bundle up your toddler and join us on the Greenway to ring in the year of the tiger. We’ll have hot chocolate, snacks and games. Bring a scooter, stroller, tricycle or bike to decorate!
Ages:Preschool ages must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: Tuesday, January 26th 2010
Time:1:00pm-2:30pm
Fee:$2 ACC, $5 Non-ACC
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Tikes, Trikes & Strollers- Celebrate Mardi GrasBring a scooter, stroller, tricycle or bike to decorate, then let’s celebrate Mardi Gras with quick spin down the Greenway. We’ll have hot chocolate, festive snacks and games to enjoy!
Age:Preschool ages must be accompanied by an adult.
Date:Tuesday, February 16
Time:1:00-2:30pm
Fee:$2 ACC, $5 Non-ACC
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Greenway Groundhog WatchJoin us on the Greenway as we try to catch a glimpse of some of our resident groundhogs as they emerge from their burrows for groundhog day. Maybe he or she will help us guess if winter is almost over.
Ages: All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: Tuesday, February 2 Time:1:00-2:00pm
Fee: Free!
Call 706.613.3615 x242 for more information and to pre-register.
Groundhog Day CelebrationWill Gus, Bear Hollow's resident groundhog, predict an early spring for Georgia? Find out during our special event covering the history of Groundhog Day. We will have a live feeding demonstration (if he decides to come out of hibernation), crafts, information about woodchucks/
groundhogs and cocoa to keep you warm, Date:Tuesday Febuary 2
Time: 9- 11 a.m.
Location:Woodchuck exhibit in zoo.
Fee: Free
Open House "Paleontology" Discover how fossils can share secrets about pre-historic life. Enjoy a variety of activities, games, crafts and more! Come for a few minutes or stay for a couple of hours!
Ages:For families (children
under 13 must be accompanied by an adult)
Date: Saturday, Feburary 13
Time:1:00 -3 p.m.
Fee: Free
Owl ProwlLearn about these feathered nocturnal animals and search for owls that inhabit our woods during an evening hike.
Ages:For families (children under 13 must be accompanied
by an adult)
Date:Feburary 19
Time:6:30-8p.m.
Registration:Please pre-register by calling (706) 613-3615, ext. 0
Fee: $6/ACC Resident family, $9/Non-ACC Resident family
Starwatch: Winter Night SkiesJoin Sandy Creek Park and the Athens Astronomical Association as they share with you the views of the winter constellations, Mars and the crescent moon.
Ages: All Ages
Date:Friday, Feburary 19
Time:7:00- 9 p.m.
Fee:$2/ACC Resident, $3/Non ACC Resident
Frog Hop 5K Road RaceHelp support the Nature Center by entering the 12th annual 5K run/walk and 1 mile Tadpole Fun Run at Sandy Creek Park.
Ages: For all ages
Date:Sunday, Feburary 21
Time:Fun Run: 2:00 p.m. 5K: 2:30 p.m.
Sandy Creek Park, Entry forms available at Sandy Creek Nature Center or online at sandycreeknaturecenter.
com Register online at www.active.com, $15 per person or $50 per family if pre-registered by Sat, Feb 13. $20 per person after Sat, Feb 13, $10 no t-shirt option. For more information, call (706) 613-3615, ext. 235.