Indian Creek Nature Center

In-Service Camp: Mammals R Us
2025-01-13 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
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

Project FeederWatch
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, 2025-01-28 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-29 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-04 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-02-05 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

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

Building Closed
2025-01-20 00:00, 2025-01-27 00:00, 2025-02-03 00:00, 2025-02-10 00:00

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

Backcountry Film Fest at Indian Creek Nature Center
2025-01-25 19:00 - 21:30
Spend an evening at the Nature Center 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. Popcorn, 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

Cub Scout Bears: Bear Habitat
2025-02-01 12:30 - 14:30
Pick a path, and go for a one mile hike — rain, snow or shine! — and look for signs of animals and other interesting nature sights along the way. Learn about and then practice principles of Leave No Trace out on the trail.
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

Nature Themed Trivia Night
2025-02-01 18:00 - 20:30
Calling all nature enthusiasts and trivia buffs!
Join us for an exciting evening of nature-themed trivia! Whether you’re a solo adventurer or part of a team, this event is perfect for testing your knowledge of the great outdoors, wildlife, ecosystems, and everything in between.
How it Works:
•Come alone and join a team, or bring your own crew of up to six.
•Answer questions spanning topics like plants, animals, habitats, and conservation.
•Compete for prizes awarded to the top three teams—bragging rights included!
Check in starts at 6:00pm, Trivia Begins at 6:30pm
Ticket includes one free drink (alcoholic and non alcoholic options), feel free to bring snacks/dinner with you!
Fee: $20 per person
Register

Bird Banding
2025-02-02 12:00 - 15:00
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

2025 Beekeeping Series (Registration Closes)
2025-02-05
Join us for Iowa’s premier beekeeping class! This eight-session, year-long series is designed for individuals serious about keeping bees. It will take the participant through the annual cycle of beekeeping from establishing a hive to harvesting and marketing the honey produced. You will gain valuable hands-on experience by working in the Etzel Sugar Grove Farm Educational Apiary, or your own hives!
Participants must register online (no walk-ups will be accepted), and must make a commitment to regular attendance at lectures, field days, and volunteering at maintenance days in the apiary. In addition to the class fee, a textbook and personal protective beekeeping equipment will be required.
Classes fill quickly! For more information (including class dates and the syllabus) and to register by February 5th, please visit the Beginner Beekeeping Series website.
Fee: Participant $155 (members receive $25 off ($130) when logged in to the registration form
Pre-registration is required for this program. We cannot accept walk-in participants. Thank you!
Register

Girl Scout Brownies: Hiker
2025-02-08 12:30 - 14:30
Explore the Nature Center’s trails with an expert hiker to learn to read a map, interpret trail signs, leave no trace and learn what to take on a hike. Make your own snack and enjoy a day in nature! This completes most of the Hiker 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

Watercolor Class: Violets
2025-02-09 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-02-09 14:00 - 16:00
Violets are the birth month flower of February, let’s paint a few! 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

In-Service Camp: Winter Fun Day
2025-02-10 09:00 - 15:00
Make the most out of your child’s day off school!**
Send them to the “Winter Fun Day” In-Service Camp at ICNC. Students will get to play games and enjoy time outdoors in nature.
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
