Indian Creek Nature Center

Building Closed
2024-12-27 00:00 (America/Chicago)
Amazing Space will be closed.

Building Closed
2024-12-30 00:00, 2025-01-01 00:00, 2025-01-06 00:00, 2025-01-13 00:00, 2025-01-20 00:00

Winter Break Camp: Scales and Slime
2024-12-30 09:00 - 15:00
Description: Explore the Nature Center in winter with hands-on activities, games and experiments both inside Amazing Space and outside on the trails and grounds. Day camps are open to all Kindergarteners through 3rd graders, and we will cover different topics and activities for each day so come for one or multiple days! (Monday’s topic is “Scales & Slime”, Tuesday is “Winter Wonderland”, Thursday is “Feathers and Fur” and Friday is “Winter Fun”.)
Drop Off from 8:45-9:00am, Pick up from 3:00-3:15pm
What to Bring: Lunch and snacks, water bottle, winter outdoor gear and clothing (coat, snowpants, boots, mittens, warm clothes, layers, etc.)
Pre-registration is required for this program. We cannot accept walk-in participants. Thank you!
Register

Winter Break Camp: Winter Wonderland
2024-12-31 09:00 - 15:00

Winter Break Camp: Feathers and Fur
2025-01-02 09:00 - 15:00

Winter Break Camp: Winter Fun
2025-01-03 09:00 - 15:00

Project FeederWatch
2025-01-07 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-14 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-21 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-22 10:00 - 12:00
Project FeederWatch is a winter-long citizen science survey of birds. Join us for just a few minutes or stay for awhile in our Bird Room at Indian Creek Nature Center as we participate in this citizen science project. We’ll send our counts to Project FeederWatch to help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance across North America.
All are welcome! FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels and backgrounds. Free. Registration is welcome but not required.
Register

Preschool Trail Trekkers: Winter Water Wonders
2025-01-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-01-11 10:00 - 11:00
Investigate the wonders of water—snow and ice—in the winter. How does snow actually help plants and animals? Make sure to dress for the weather as we plan to spend time outside enjoying this beautiful season. For preschoolers with adult.
Fees: $5 preschooler (ages 3-5), free for ages 2 and under, adults free.
Registration Deadline: 2 days prior to program date
More information: https://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/trail-trekkers/
Register

Bird Banding
2025-01-11 09:00 - 12:00
Join ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein at Amazing Space for a special bird banding program. Be our guest and drop in 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 importance of banding. You’ll also get an up close look at the birds! Children and families are welcome to join in on the fun. Banding is a weather-dependent activity.
All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey.
This program is free and open to the public with no registration required; free will donations to the Nature Center are welcome.
Register

Girl Scout Juniors: Animal Habitats
2025-01-11 12:30 - 14:30
Who lives in your wild backyard? Discover several animal habitats at the Nature Center. Explore animal homes and create your own bird feeder to help the birds. Investigate endangered prairie habitats. How can we help protect them? Discover who lives in your own backyard habitat. This completes most of the Animal Habitats badge.
Fees: $10 per scout, Scout leaders free (limit 2 per group), $5 per adult
Registration deadline: 2 days prior to program date
More information: https://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/scouts/girl-scout-workshops/
Register

Full Moon Hike
2025-01-11 19:00 - 20:00
Lace up your snow boots 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. Night hikers will explore some of our favorite spots on the property. Encounters with wildlife are sure to occur! Hikers should dress for the weather and wear snow boots. Children are welcome, including babies in carriers. (Strollers not recommended). Friendly dogs on leashes are also welcome.
Fee: $5 Members $10 Nonmembers.
Pre-registration is required (and will end 24 hours before the start of the program). We can no longer accept walk in participants.
Register

In-Service Camp: Mammals R Us
2025-01-13 09:00 - 15:00
Make the most out of your child’s day off school!**
Send them to the “Mammals R Us” In-Service Day Camp at ICNC. Students will get learn about mammals that call Iowa home and maybe even see one or two on a hike.
Please send a sack lunch and snack and dress kids for indoor and outdoor play. This program is available for all K-5th grade students, with a maximum of 12 students.
**Please check your school’s calendar to see if this is an in-service day for your child.
9:00 AM-3:00 PM (drop off: 8:45-9AM, pickup: 3-3:15PM)
M $55; NM $75
Pre-registration is required for this program. We cannot accept walk-in participants. Thank you!
Register

Creekside Forest School Open House
2025-01-14 13:00 - 14:00
Join Director of Education, Marcy Fratzke, for a look at Creekside Forest School. Prospective families, interested community members, current or pre-service educators are welcome to attend.
Register

ONLINE Backyard Chickens Workshop
2025-01-14 17:30 - 19:00
Learn the basic information needed to raise hens in urban and suburban areas during this online class. Following class, registered participants will receive a certificate of completion through the mail, enabling them to get a permit to legally keep chickens in Cedar Rapids and other communities. The purchaser must be logged in and present to receive the certificate. A zoom link will be sent to participants the day before class.
Fee: $15 Members $20 Nonmembers.
Pre-registration is required for this program (and will close 24 hours before the class)
Register

In-Service Camp: Mammals R Us
2025-01-17 09:00 - 15:00
Make the most out of your child’s day off school!**
Send them to the “Mammals R Us” In-Service Day Camp at ICNC. Students will get to learn about mammals that call Iowa home and maybe even see one or two on a hike.
Please send a sack lunch and snack and dress kids for indoor and outdoor play. This program is available for all K-5th grade students, with a maximum of 12 students.
**Please check your school’s calendar to see if this is an in-service day for your child.
9:00 AM-3:00 PM (drop off: 8:45-9AM, pickup: 3-3:15PM)
M $55; NM $75
Pre-registration is required for this program. We cannot accept walk-in participants. Thank you!
Register

Cub Scout Webelos: Earth Rocks
2025-01-18 09:30 - 11:00
Have you ever wanted to know more about rocks? Come to the Nature Center to find out why geology is important to you! We’ll identify rocks, test minerals and learn about Moh’s hardness scale. You’ll find out about Iowa’s geologic past, and get to take home a little souvenir. (You will be responsible for requirement #4 on your own)
Fees: $10 per scout, Scout leaders free (limit 2 per group), $5 per adult
Registration deadline: 2 days prior to program date
More information: https://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/scouts/cub-scout-bsa-workshops/
Register

Cub Scout Wolf: Finding Your Way
2025-01-18 13:00 - 14:30
Learn how to navigate with maps and compasses. Create your own map, and then practice your map & compass navigation skills out on the trails!
Fees: $10 per scout, Scout leaders free (limit 2 per group), $5 per adult
Registration deadline: 2 days prior to program date
More information: https://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/scouts/cub-scout-bsa-workshops/
Register

Watercolor Class: Cardinal in the the snow
2025-01-19 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-01-19 14:00 - 16:00
Let’s paint a bright red cardinal in the snow! This is a beginner level painting class and participants do not need any previous watercolor experience. A template is provided so you can enjoy and focus on the watercolor paint! 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 sleeve to take finished work home*. Recommended ages: 8-100.
Cost: $40 (supplies included*) OR $32 (bring your own supplies**)
**Please bring your own: palette, brush (round 4, or similar size) and your preferred watercolor paint. You will be provided with 140 lb paper, backing board/transparent sleeve will be included to take finished work home.
Pre-registration is required for this program. We cannot accept walk-in participants.
Register

Backcountry Film Fest at Big Grove Brewery
2025-01-24 19:00 - 21:30
Spend an evening at Big Grove Brewery’s Iowa City Taproom as we host the Winter Wildland Alliance Backcountry Film Festival, a compilation of films that celebrate the human-powered experience through winter adventures.
Expect to be inspired to get outdoors! Win raffle prizes, grab a beer and popcorn and watch short films that feature outdoor sports in beautiful places around the world.
Doors open at 6pm and the films start at 7pm. Food, beverages and raffle tickets will be available for purchase.
Cost: $15 per ticket
You can find more information about the films, raffle prizes and more by clicking here.
Get Tickets
