To view the December Program Guide, click HERE or on the image below, or see below.

DECEMBER 2023 PROGRAMS IN ORDER BY DATE

Program Name: MDNP: Nature Hike
All Ages
#146735 Fri, Dec 1st 10am-11:30am
#146737 Fri, Dec 15th 10am-11:30am
FREE
Enjoy a morning hike with the family at McDowell Nature Preserve. This hike will be on uneven terrain and will be approximately 2 miles. If bringing small children, strollers are not advised. Pre-registration required (for child and adult alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Preschool Explorers Series
Ages 4-6
Those Nutty Squirrels: #146439 Fri, Dec 1st 1:30pm-3pm
Sitting Stones: #146451 Fri, Dec 22nd 1:30pm-3pm
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
Little ones and an experienced Naturalist will explore nature together starting with a story and then rotating through discovery stations that expand upon the story which may include crafts, games, songs, animal encounters and/or outdoor exploration. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required. This is a drop off program. Adult participation not required.

Program Name: MDNP: Winter Tree ID Hike
Ages 18+
#146722 Sat, Dec 2nd 10am-11:30am
FREE
Want to identify trees after they've lost their leaves? After an introduction on common species in the preserve, we will go for a 1.5-mile hike to identify trees by looking at bark, buds, and fruits. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Archery 101 (Youth)
Ages 10-12
#146728 Sat, Dec 2nd 1pm-3pm
$15 resident/$18 non-resident
Bows and arrows are some of the oldest tools humans have every used, and still use to this day! Participants will start with basic terminology, practice proper form and safety with a recurve bow, then use their new-found knowledge with a little target practice. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Nature Book and Look
All Ages
#146718 Mon, Dec 4th 10am-11am
#146719 Mon, Dec 11th 10am-11am
#146720 Mon, Dec 18th 10am-11am
FREE
On select Mondays, Nature Book and Look offers preschoolers and their families an opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature! Each week, a new fun and educational topic is presented with a nature book followed by a hands-on activity, craft, or exploratory hike! Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Adult Trail Trekkers-December 2023
Ages 18+
(FlexReg) #146751
Tue, Dec 5th 1pm-2:30pm
Tue, Dec 12th 1pm-2:30pm
Tue, Dec 19th 1pm-2:30pm
FREE
Get active in nature with a McDowell Naturalist during this 90-minute, adults-only hike. Discover what is happening seasonally throughout the preserve. Meets on the boardwalk in front of the Nature Center unless e-mailed otherwise day of the event. Pre-registration is required.

Program Name: MDNP: Adult Mindful Coloring
Ages 18+
#146656 Wed, Dec 6th 1pm-3pm
#146657 Wed, Dec 13th 1pm=3pm
FREE
Take time for yourself and focus on peaceful coloring with like-minded people. Slow down with up to two hours of calm coloring at McDowell Nature Center in this weekly series. No registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Winter Night Hike
All Ages
#146746 Wed, Dec 6th 6:30pm-8pm
FREE
Explore the preserve on a crisp winter night as we look for nocturnal animals.
This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Morning Coffee and Campfire
All Ages
#146658 Thu, Dec 7th 9:30am-11:30am
#146659 Thu, Dec 14th 9:30am-11:30am
FREE
Warm up with a cup of coffee and a toasty fire provided by McDowell Nature Center. Get your questions answered by staff and spend time with friends young and old on select Thursdays this fall. No pre-registration required. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Kids Hiking Club
Ages 8-13
#146730 Fri, Dec 8th 9:30am-11:30am
#146731 Fri, Dec 22nd 9:30am-11:30am
FREE
Hey kids, get outside and enjoy your morning with the Kids Hiking Club! This group will meet monthly and explore McDowell Nature Preserve. All kids will receive a trail passport and a 100-mile hike club card to document their trail journeys and collect prizes along the way. This is a drop off program. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Archery 101 (Adult)
Ages 18+
#146727 Fri, Dec 8th 1pm-3pm
$15 resident/$18 non-resident
Bows and arrows are some of the oldest tools humans have ever used, and still use to this day. Get a grip on basic terminology, practice proper form and safety with a recurve bow and compound bow, then use your new-found knowledge with a little target practice. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Explore the Carolinas: Greenway Series
Ages 18+
#146729 Sat, Dec 9th 9am-11am
FREE
Nature is everywhere! Explore what Carolinas have to offer by visiting different greenways each month. This month we are visiting James Boyce Park (300 Boyce Rd). These walks will be approximately 2-4 miles over paved greenways.
Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet
All Ages
#146747 Sun, Dec 10th 2pm-2:30pm
#146748 Sun, Dec 10th 4pm-4:30pm
FREE
Head over to the McDowell Nature Center for a close-up encounter with one of our live animal ambassadors! Discover fun facts about the animals’ adaptations and everyday life out in the wild! Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Public Homeschool: Shelter Building
Ages 8-11
#146739 Thu, Dec 14th 1pm-3pm
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
With adequate preparation, you can have fun in the wilderness! The goal of this program is to introduce the audience to the idea of exploring nature in a new way by doing a deep dive into shelter building. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Soil & Water Conservation Badge
Ages 10-17
#1444340 Sat, Dec 16th 9am-3pm
$15 resident/$18 non-resident
Are you a boy scout interested in conservation? The soil and water conservation badge highlights the importance of using our resources intelligently so they can still be usable for our future. Be part of the solution, register today!
For more information, please contact Catherine Robertson at Catherine.Robertson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Program Name: MDNP: Trails and Tails - James Boyce Park
All Ages
#146745 Sat, Dec 16th 9:30am-11:30am
FREE
Have a K-9 companion? Want to meet other dog lovers in Mecklenburg County? Together with our "Tails" we will hit the "Trails". Each month we will meet at different parks, preserves or greenways around the Charlotte area. Please call Chad Moore at 980-314-1565 for more information.

Program Name: MDNP: MeckTeen Explorers: Snow Tubing
Ages 11-13
#146643 Wed, Dec 20th 8am-5pm
$35 resident/$42 non-resident
Hey MeckTeens! Get outside and explore cool areas around you! Every month we will take a trip to a park in the Carolinas. This month we will be Snow Tubing in the North Carolina Mountains. Please come prepared to be outside for the whole program. Please note some of these trips will take place offsite and will require traveling in a county van.
Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Winter Wonderland: Geocaching Adventure
Ages 6+
#146655 Wed, Dec 20th 10:30am-12:30pm
FREE
Hunt for hidden treasure in the woods with other participants using a GPS. No prior experience or special equipment needed! A naturalist will be there to guide you through this 2–3-mile geocaching experience.
This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Winter Wonderland: Adult Mindful Coloring
Ages 18+
#146723 Wed, Dec 20th 1pm-3pm
FREE
Take time for yourself and focus on peaceful coloring with like-minded people. Slow down with up to two hours of calm coloring at McDowell Nature Center in this weekly series. Pre-registration not required.

Program Name: MDNP: Winter Wonderland: Morning Coffee and Campfire
All Ages
#146724 Thu, Dec 21st 9:30am-11:30am
FREE
Warm up with a cup of coffee and a toasty fire provided by McDowell Nature Center. Get your questions answered by staff and spend time with friends young and old on select Thursdays this fall. No pre-registration required. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Wagon Ride and Campfire
ALL Ages
#146721 Fri, Dec 22nd 6:30pm-8:30pm
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
Take a trip through McDowell Nature Preserve in style! Travel through the McDowell prairie with a naturalist guide then finish at the nature center for a toasty campfire. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Winter Wonderland: Coloring & Cocoa
All Ages
#146435 Sat, Dec 23rd 10am-4pm
FREE
A bit chilly? Enjoy time with your family warming up with hot cocoa and coloring or crafting during this drop-in program from 10am-4pm. No pre-registration required. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Public Homeschool: Migration
Thu, Dec 28th 1:30pm-3pm
#146436 Ages 7-9
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
Animal migration doesn't just happen once a year and isn’t reserved just for the birds! Adapt, migrate or stay with this hands-on program that is aligned with NC DPI K-12Standards and Curriculum. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: MeckTeen Explorers: Stone Mountain
Ages 11-14
#146644 Fri, Dec 29th 9am-4pm
$15 resident/$18 non-resident
Hey MeckTeens! Get outside and explore cool areas around you! Every month we will take a trip to a park in the Carolinas. This month we will be visiting Stone Mountain State Park. Please come prepared to be outside for the whole program. Please note some of these trips will take place offsite and will require traveling in a county van.
This is a drop off program. Adult participation not required. Pre-registration required.

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