STEELE CREEK NEWS

June Programs at McDowell Nature Center

(May 24, 2023) The McDowell Nature Center and Preserve offers a wide variety of programs for adults, children, and families. Listed below are programs for June 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.

Program Name: MDNP: Nature Hike
All Ages
#140034 Fri, June 2nd 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's strollers are not advised. Pre-registration required (for child and adult alike).

Program Name: MDNP: 1st Friday Evening Kayak
Ages 18+
#139864 Fri, June 2nd 6:30pm-8:30pm
$20 residents/$24 non-residents
On the 1st Friday of the month come experience twilight while paddling the edges of McDowell Nature
Preserve. Get a chance to view the setting sun over Lake Wylie with our experienced instructors. Discover the history of Lake Wylie and meet new people in a fun environment. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Prairie Stroll
Ages 18+
#139851 Sat, June 3rd 9am-10:30am
#139852 Sat, June 10th 9am-10:30am
FREE
Make your way through the piedmont prairie with a McDowell educator and discover animal tracks, flowers, and
birds in this special habitat. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Archery 101 (Youth)
Ages 10-12
#139867 Sat, June 3rd 10am-12pm
$15 residents/$18 non-residents
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, then use their new-found knowledge with a little target practice. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet
All Ages
#139730 Sun, June 4th 3pm-3:30pm
#139731 Sun, June 11th 3pm-3:30pm
#139732 Sun, June 18th 3pm-3:30pm
#139733 Sun, June 25th 3pm-3:30pm
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 animal adaptations and everyday life out in the wild! Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Drop-In Crafting-Watercolor Handprints
All Ages
#139846 Sun, June 4th 1pm-3pm (Watercolor Handprints)
#139847 Sun, June 18th 1pm-3pm (Fish Suncatchers)
FREE
Treat yourself or your young ones to a creative afternoon activity. Drop in on select Sundays from 1 to 3pm for a free craft at the nature center. No pre-registration required. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga on Lake Wylie
Ages 18+
#139857 Sat, June 10th 10am-12pm
#139858 Sat, June 17th 10am-12pm
$30 residents/$36 non-residents
The natural world offers many benefits for the mind, body and soul. Our 'Wellness by Nature' programs focus on these
benefits and our connection to nature. Bring a whole new perspective to your asana practice with yoga on a SUP! Become immersed in nature, gain piece of mind, and challenge your balance and strength. This class includes a
brief paddle basics class along with a gentle vinyasa practice led by an experienced and certified 200 RYT instructor. Prior experience is not necessary. All gear is included. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Lake Wylie Kayak Tour
Ages 5+
#139958 Sat, June 10th 9:30am-11:30am
#139962 Sun, June 11th 2pm-4pm
$20 residents/$24 non-residents (Single)
$25 residents/$30 non-residents (Tandem)
Paddle the edges of McDowell Nature Preserve with our experienced instructors while enjoying nature with your family. Discover the natural history that makes Lake Wylie a great destination for wildlife viewing. All equipment provided. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Intro to Stand Up Paddleboarding
Ages 12+
#139943 Sat, June 10th 2pm-4pm
$25 residents/$30 non-residents
Jump into a new adventure on a Stand-up Paddleboard while exploring the beauty of Lake Wylie! Discover the strokes, maneuvers, and rescue techniques of SUP's with our ACA Certified Instructors. All equipment provided!
No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike). This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.

Program Name: MDNP: Kayaking 101: Beginner Skills
Ages 18+
#139948 Sun, June 11th 9:30am-11:30am
$25 residents/$30 non-residents
Once you feel comfortable getting around in a kayak, you may want to sharpen your flatwater skills. Let our ACA certified instructors teach you the strokes and skills to take your paddling techniques to the next level. This intimate setting will provide you with more time to practice specific maneuvers and give you lots of opportunities for individualized feedback. All equipment provided! Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Yoga and Hiking Amongst the Trees
Ages 18+
#139859 Sun, June11th 2:30pm-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. Enjoy a deep stretch after your hike and meditation in the woods. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Nature Book and Look
All Ages
#139751 Mon, June 12th 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: Outdoor Classroom: World Oceans Day
Ages 5+
#139763 Tues, June 13th 3pm-4pm
$4 residents/$5 non-residents
Adults are free w/child
Come celebrate World Oceans Day at the McDowell Nature Preserve! Dive right in and discover why the health of our ocean is important to the overall health of our planet, and how you can protect it even if you don't live near the beach. We will also discuss the largest and least explored habitat in the world-The Deep Sea! Pre-registration is required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Adult Trail Trekkers-June 2023
Ages 18+
(FlexReg) #140039
Tues, June 13th 10am-11:30am
Tues, June 20th 10am-11:30am
Tues, June 27th 10am-11:30am
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: Evening Kayak
Ages 18+
#139914 Wed, June 14th 6:30pm-8:30pm
#139921 Wed, June 21st 6:30pm-8:30pm
$20 residents/$24 non-residents
Experience twilight while paddling the edges of McDowell Nature Preserve. Get a chance to view the setting sun over
Lake Wylie with our experienced instructors. Discover the history of Lake Wylie and meet new people in a fun environment. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Preschool Explorers Series: Sleepy Summer
Ages 4-6
#139747 Fri, June 16th 1:30pm-3pm
$5 residents/$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: MeckTeen Explorers
Ages 12-14
#140030 Tues, June 20th 9am-12:30pm
$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 our homebase of McDowell Nature Center. 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.

Program Name: MDNP: Kids Hiking Club
Ages 8-13
#139953 Fri, June 23rd 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 with a staff member and 1-2 parent chaperones.
This is a drop off program. Adult participation not required. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Surprise Saturday
All Ages
#139853 Sat, June 24th 10am-12pm
Get a new perspective on the outdoors this summer with the Surprise Saturdays series. On select Saturdays, create new memories through a nature craft, science experiment, or other surprise activity at the nature center. No pre-registration required. This is not a drop off program. Adult participation required.