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STEELE CREEK NEWS
September Programs at McDowell Nature Center
(August
30, 2023) The
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve offers a
wide variety of programs for adults, children, and families. Listed
below are programs for September 2023. To sign up or for more
information, go to the
Activity Search web page and search by program keyword or
number, or call (980) 314-1128. To request a modification based on
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact staff at
(980) 314-1192 or email
TRInfo@MeckNC.gov.
The McDowell Nature Center is located at 15222 York Road within
the McDowell Nature Preserve (off NC Highway 49 across from
Palisades High School).
Direct questions to the McDowell Nature Center at 980-314-1128
or email
MDNP@mecknc.gov.
See volunteer
opportunities at
Volunteer Connect.
Hello from McDowell Nature Center,
We had fantastic
fun with our Summer camps and programs. Here are more of our cool
activities for you to enjoy in the September Program Guide. These
include archery, kayaking, hiking, yoga, and nature exploration.
Plan to celebrate
all things nocturnal during McDowell Nature Center's 13th annual
Nature at Night festival in October. This fun-filled, educational
event shines a spotlight on what nature has to offer after the sun
goes down. The ticket price includes live animals, crafts, night
hikes, wagon rides, s'mores, popcorn, and interactive booths.
Registration is now open! Get your tickets here:
Nature at Night Tickets.
SEPTEMBER 2023 PROGRAMS IN
ORDER BY DATE
Program Name: MDNP: Archery 101 (Youth) Ages 10-12
#142692 Sat, Sep 2nd 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! Participants will start with basic
terminology, practice proper form and safety with a recurve bow, and
then use their new-found knowledge with a little target practice.
Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Adult Trail Trekkers-August
2023 Ages 18+ (FlexReg) #142611 Tues, Sep 5th 1pm-2:30pm
Tues, Sep 12th 1pm-2:30pm Tues, Sep 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: Mushroom Madness All
Ages 7+ #142493 Wed, Sep 6th 1:30pm-3pm #142494 Wed, Sep 13th
1:30pm-3pm #142497 Thurs, Sep 21st 9:30am-11am #142492 Sat,
Sep 30th 10am-11:30am FREE September is National Mushroom
Month and what better way to celebrate than going on a hike in
search of them! We will look high and low. No leaf will go unturned
in our search for fungi! No walk-ins accepted.
Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP:
Tree Hike Ages 8-10 #142498 Thurs, Sep 7th 10am-11:30am
FREE Explore the world of trees and what makes them unique!
Discover all the different species here at McDowell Nature Preserve.
While on a hike we will practice our identification skills, play
bingo, and earn prizes. This is a drop off program. Adult
participation not required.
Program Name: MDNP: After-Work Hike Ages
18+ #142501 Thurs, Sep 7th 6pm-7:30pm #142502 Thurs, Sep 21st
6pm-7:30pm FREE Unwind after work with a 90-minute hike around
the preserve. We will start and end at the Waterfront Deck
overlooking Lake Wylie. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP:
Nature Hike All Ages #142693 Fri, Sep 8th 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 Under the Pond #142495
Fri, Sep 8th 1:30pm-3pm Nifty Nests #142496 Fri, Sep 22nd
1:30pm-3pm $5residents/$6 non-residents 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.
Program Name: MDNP: Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet All Ages
#142503 Sun, Sep 10th 2pm-2:30pm #142504 Sun, Sep 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: Nature Book and Look All Ages #142506 Mon, Sep 11th
10am-11am #142507 Mon, Sep 18th 10am-11am #142508 Mon, Sep
25th 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: Kids Hiking Club Ages 8-13
#142516 Fri, Sep 15th 9:30am-11:30am #142517 Fri, Sep 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. Adult participation not required. Pre-registration
required.
Program Name: MDNP: Kids in the Woods Weds, Sep 20th-Oct 25th
1pm-4pm #142491 Sprites: Ages 6-8 #142474 Pathfinders: Ages
9-11 $65 residents/$78 non-residents This 6-week child-led
class is held ENTIRELY outdoors! Children are allowed to sprout and
grow at their own pace as they explore, experience, and come to
appreciate the wonder of the natural world. Our more capable and
oldest KitW, venture to new locations within the preserve to stretch
their legs and develop their confidence. They may decide to
investigate a stream, bushwhack off-trail, build a stick fort, or
muck around in the beaver cove - all under the guidance of an
experienced environmental educator. Research has shown that time
spent in nature, especially engaged in play, is critical to a
child's development. Not only does outdoor play lead to increased
physical activity but it can alleviate symptoms of ADHD and asthma
as well as promote creativity, self-discipline, problem-solving
skills, cooperation and confidence. No walk-ins accepted.
Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Hiking Amongst the Trees
Ages 18+ #142499 Sat, Sep 23rd 2:30pm-3:30pm FREE What
better way to relieve stress than to take a hike in our beautiful
nature preserve. Get some fresh air while meeting new people and
gaining new insights from your naturalist guide and the natural
world. Sign-up for Yoga Amongst the Trees directly following the
hike for a well-rounded experience. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Yoga and Hiking Amongst the Trees Ages 18+ #142500
Sat, Sep 23rd 3:30pm-4:30pm $7 residents/$8 non-residents What
better way to relieve stress than to take your practice outside in
our beautiful nature preserve. Practice grounding and breath in the
fresh air during our asana practice led by a naturalist and
certified yoga teacher. The yoga portion will be done inside during
the colder months. Sign-up for the hike beforehand at 2:30pm for a
well-rounded experience. Pre-registration required.
Program Name:
MDNP: Outdoor Classroom: Productive Plankton All Ages (geared
towards late elementary age) #142509 Tues, Sep 26th 3pm-4pm $4
residents/$5 non-residents Plankton are microscopic organisms
that float around in any body of water- fresh or salt, and Lake
Wylie is home to many of these primary producers! Come to the
McDowell Nature Preserve's Waterfront Deck to explore what plankton
is, their adaptations, and why they are important. Everyone will
also make their own plankton tow net to catch and filter plankton
from the water to look at under the microscope! Pre-registration is
required (for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP: Public
Homeschool: Stream Study #142472 Ages 7-9 #142473 Ages 10-12
Thurs, Sep 28th 1:30pm-3pm $5 residents/$6 non-residents
Streams and the organisms living within them can be used as an
indicator for water quality! Get your feet wet with this hands-on
program that is aligned with NC DPI K-12 Standards and Curriculum.
Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Totally Tube Ages 11-13
#142608 Sat, Sep 30th 9:30am-2pm $14 residents/$17 non-residents
Beat the heat on a tubing adventure down a cool local river in the
Charlotte area. Take in the sights and sounds of this unique aquatic
habitat while hanging with friends. Pre-registration required.
To
comment on this story, please click below to visit the Steele Creek Residents Association
Facebook page.
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