Public Programming

Join ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein for a special bird banding program. Be our guest and drop in at Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd) anytime to watch Dr. Bernstein net, band, and release birds from Nature Center property. You’ll get a chance to see the equipment he uses, observe the banding process, and learn about the...

Parents and their children from birth to school age are invited to join the Cedar Rapids Hike It Baby chapter for a family-friendly hike at the Nature Center! Hike It Baby is a national non-profit organization that offers new parents an opportunity to connect and get into nature with their young children. Dress appropriately for...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. This preschool camp experience is for all children ages 4-5. Campers must be potty independent and able to use restroom with adult assistance Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist.- This preschool camp experience is for all children ages 4-5. Campers must be potty independent and able to use restroom with adult assistance Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist.- This preschool camp experience is for all children ages 4-5. Campers must be potty independent and able to use restroom with adult assistance Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Dinner is provided Camp Description: Join us for a “campout” at the nature center! We’ll start the evening with fun and games, then have our dinners by the campfire before setting...

BinSpire Messy Play is inviting families to come and play. Paint, water, mud, shaving cream, and more will be set up for your little ones to get messy. Child-led, open-ended play encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps children experience new textures and practice social skills. And the best part? The clean up will be taken...

During this program your whole family will participate in a hands-on activity under the guidance of a summer naturalist, like pond dipping, sweep netting for insects, a fossil dig, or a nature hike. Come dressed for the weather, as you’ll have fun outdoors no matter the conditions! This is a family-friendly program for all ages....

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll explore different stories of nature adventures as we play outside, explore different habitats, play games and get dirty along the way. We’ll also...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll explore different stories of nature adventures as we play outside, explore different habitats, play games and get dirty along the way. We’ll also...

Learn the basic information you need to raise hens in urban and suburban areas during class. Participants will receive a certificate of completion, enabling them to get a permit to legally keep chickens in Cedar Rapids and other communities. ​This class is geared towards adults. Please note: If your registration contains multiple participants, a certificate...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll explore different stories of nature adventures as we play outside, explore different habitats, play games and get dirty along the way. We’ll also...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll explore different stories of nature adventures as we play outside, explore different habitats, play games and get dirty along the way. We’ll also...

Step inside Indian Creek Nature Center to view and touch some of our resident animals! A staff member will be present to show visitors the animals up close and help answer your questions. Come and go at your leisure as there will not be a formal program. Fee: $2/person, registration is optional. Register

Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: Sample some of the plant and animal life that make their homes at the Nature Center as we explore some of the habitats and ecosystems found here together. We’ll also learn about some of the different connections between different parts...

Parents and their children from birth to school age are invited to join the Cedar Rapids Hike It Baby chapter for a family-friendly hike at the Nature Center! Hike It Baby is a national non-profit organization that offers new parents an opportunity to connect and get into nature with their young children. Dress appropriately for...

Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: We’ll try our hands at a variety of outdoor skills and recreation activities both individually and working together as a team such as: making fire without matches, orienteering with compasses and maps or foraging for wild edibles. Get ready for...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Camp Description: Water, water everywhere! We’ll explore the wonderful wetlands and other water habitats at the Nature Center. We’ll try to catch water bugs and frogs, play water games, go creek...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. Campers must have completed the grade listed All sessions are drop off only Dinner is provided Camp Description: Join us for a “campout” at the nature center! We’ll start the evening with fun and games, then have our dinners by the campfire before setting...

Lace up your hiking shoes and venture out at dusk to join a small group of adventurers for a guided night hike. The ICNC prairie and woodland trails will be lit by the light of the full moon, but you'll also want to bring a flashlight or headlamp, just in case of cloud cover. Encounters...

Let’s paint a bumble bee! This is a beginner level painting class and participants do not need any previous watercolor experience. Bring a positive attitude ready to learn a new skill. Supplies included in class fee: watercolor palette, brush, coldpress 140lb watercolor paper, Peerless Transparent Watercolors sample pack, as well as backing board and transparent...

Let’s paint a bumble bee! This is a beginner level painting class and participants do not need any previous watercolor experience. Bring a positive attitude ready to learn a new skill. Supplies included in class fee: watercolor palette, brush, coldpress 140lb watercolor paper, Peerless Transparent Watercolors sample pack, as well as backing board and transparent...

During this program your whole family will participate in a hands-on activity under the guidance of a summer naturalist, like pond dipping, sweep netting for insects, a fossil dig, or a nature hike. Come dressed for the weather, as you’ll have fun outdoors no matter the conditions! This is a family-friendly program for all ages....

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. This preschool camp experience is for all children ages 4-5. Campers must be potty independent and able to use restroom with adult assistance Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. This preschool camp experience is for all children ages 4-5 Campers must be potty independent and able to use restroom with adult assistance Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside...

SOLD OUT! All new registrations will be added to the waitlist. This preschool camp experience is for all children ages 4-5. Campers must be potty independent and able to use restroom with adult assistance Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside...

BinSpire Messy Play is inviting families to come and play. Paint, water, mud, shaving cream, and more will be set up for your little ones to get messy. Child-led, open-ended play encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps children experience new textures and practice social skills. And the best part? The clean up will be taken...

Step inside Indian Creek Nature Center to view and touch some of our resident animals! A staff member will be present to show visitors the animals up close and help answer your questions. Come and go at your leisure as there will not be a formal program. Fee: $2/person, registration is optional. Register