Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, programs are cancelled for the foreseeable future. We will try to keep this page and social media updated, but please e-mail naturecenter@co.dickinson.ia.us to check the status of any program you are unsure about.

Our

programs

Click here for online registration

2020 program schedule

Special events Storytime with a Naturalist Stories, Songs & Games at Westport Schoolhouse No School Day Camps Summer camps Nature Tots Nature Explorers Family Nature Night Birding on the Green Adult Kayaking

Special events

Earth Day Celebration - Join us on Facebook Live
April 17

Online question-and-answer with our naturalists!

Warbler Walk - CANCELLED
8 a.m. May 9

Part of the regional Wings & Wetlands Weekend, the annual Warbler Walk meets at the Marble Lake boat ramp and goes through Kettleson Hogsback to see migrating warbler species.

Spirit Lake Massacre caravan tour - CANCELLED
10 a.m. June 9 or 13

Visit sites from the Spirit Lake Massacre. Maximum of five cars per tour, so call 712-336-6352 to pre-register.

10-Year Anniversary Celebration - CANCELLED
10 a.m.-noon June 27

The Dickinson County Nature Center opened in June 2010. Celebrate 10 years of success and growth!

Dee's Bee & Butterfly Festival
4-8 p.m. Sept. 4

Dickinson County Conservation's largest event of the year celebrates pollinators with butterfly tagging, crafts, activities, entertainment and more!

Family Glow Walk
6:30 p.m. Oct. 3

A partnership with the Pearson Lakes Art Center and Bedell Family YMCA, the Family Glow Walk takes you on the paved trails outside the nature center and through a glowing room inside.

Run the Bend 5K
11 a.m. Oct. 17

Go on a cross country run through Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area. Register online prior to the event or the day of.

Howlin' Halloween
4 p.m. Oct. 30

Bring the kids to the nature center for holiday fun and trick or treating inside!

Storytime with a Naturalist

Stories, Songs & Games at Westport Schoolhouse

No School Day Camps

Summer camps

Kayaking Adventures camp (Fifth-Eighth grade) - CANCELLED
9:30-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m. June 17-18

Learn the basics of kayaking from a certified instructor. $40 for Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County members, $50 for non-members.

*Maximum five campers per session

Dr. Seuss-themed camps

My Oh My --- a Butterfly! camp (Preschool) - CANCELLED
9 a.m.-noon June 15-16

Explore the world of pollinators at the Dickinson County Nature Center. $40 for CFDC members, $50 for non-members.

*Maximum 15 campers

Fine Feathered Friends camp (TK-Kindergarten) - CANCELLED
9 a.m.-noon June 22-23

Learn all about birds during this youth camp. $40 for CFDC members, $50 for non-members.

*Maximum 15 campers

Oh Say, Can You Say Di-no-saur? camp (First-second grade) - CANCELLED
9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 29-30

Explore a prehistoric world of giants. $50 for CFDC members, $60 for non-members.

*Maximum 15 campers

The Lorax camp (Third-fourth grade) - CANCELLED
9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 13-14

Learn how you can make a difference by advocating for nature. $50 for CFDC members, $60 for non-members

*Maximum 15 campers

Camp registration begins online March 1. Child should be entering grade specified in fall 2020.

Partner camps

Pioneer camp (Third-fifth grade)
9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 1

A partnership camp with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach.

Bee camp (First-third grade)
9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 7

A partnership camp with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach.

Jumping Beans camp (ages 4-5)
9 a.m.-noon July 27-30

Hola! It's time for the best summer adventure ever as we take an interdisciplinary tour of Central America! These 4 and 5 year old children will explore music, art, nature, culture, language, food and so much more from Latin America! Hosted in partnership with the Pearson Lakes Art Center, the Dickinson County Nature Center and Kindermusik at the Lakes. Make this summer one for the books!

Nature Tots

10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month for ages 2-5. Call 712-336-6352 to pre-register for this free program.

Additional 9 a.m. programs added June-August

Jan. 8: If Pluto was a Pea
Feb. 12: Butterflies and Bees
March 11: Songs of Nature
April 8: Peepers and Peekers - Join us on Facebook instead of in person!
May 13: Paws and Claws - Join us on Facebook for this program!
June 10: Floppers and Loppers - Join us on Facebook for this program!
July 8: Snouts and Sniffers - Join us on Facebook for this program!
Aug. 12: Nature's Yucky --- MUD!
Sept. 9: Plants that Never Bloom
Oct. 14: Life-size Dinosaurs
*Nov. 4: Squirrely Squirrels
Dec. 9: Owls

*Maximum of 25 children per program

Nature Explorers

Family Nature Night

7 p.m. the fourth Friday of each month for all ages. Call 712-336-6352 to pre-register your family for this free program.

Jan. 24: Winter Camouflage
Feb. 28: Leap Into Nature
March 27: Rock Kitchen --- CANCELLED
April 24: Arbor Day - Join us on Facebook instead of in person!
May 22: Fire on the Prairie - Join us on Facebook for this program!
June 26: Gone Froggin' - Join us on Facebook for this program!
July 24: Geocaching
Aug. 28: Family Tough Mudder
Sept. 25: Animal Home Construction
Oct. 23: Slimy Swamps
*Nov. 20: Talking Turkeys
*Dec. 18: Evergreen Trees

Birding on the Green

Adult Kayaking

Download a printable 2020 program calendar

2 Comments

Cyndee Dather on May 22, 2017 at 7:29 pm

Please register my grandson Kellen Proctor, who is 2 1/2 for 10:30 AM. The following dates for Nature Tots:
– June 14
– July 12
– Aug 9
– Sept 13
– Oct 11
– Nov 8
– Dec 13
Thanks Cyndee Dather
- kiley on May 23, 2017 at 7:54 am
  
  Please call 712-336-6352 to register. We will put you on the June and July list. The August date is full, so we will need your phone number to put you on the waiting list. As of right now we are only taking reservations through August. Thank you!