To view the October Program Guide, click HERE or on the image below, or see below.

OCTOBER 2023 PROGRAMS IN ORDER BY DATE

Program Name: MDNP: Adult Trail Trekkers-October 2023
Ages 18+
(FlexReg) #143702
Tues, Oct 3rd 1pm-2:30pm
Tues, Oct 10th 1pm-2:30pm
Tues, Oct 17th 1pm-2:30pm
Tues, Oct 24th 1pm-2:30pm
FREE
Get active in nature with a McDowell Naturalist during this90-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: Backpacking 101
Ages 18+
#143686
Wed, October 4th 6:30pm-8pm
Wed, October 11th 6:30pm-8pm
Wed, October 18th 6:30pm-8pm
Wed, October 25th 6:30pm-8pm
$27 resident/$32 non-resident
Do you like to gaze at the stars and warm up by a fire? Then backpacking is for you! In this 4-session series you will explore the basics of backpacking in a backcountry setting. Each session is a different topic, from food and water, trip planning and risk management, to gear needed.
Pre-registration is required.

Program Name: MDNP: After-Work Hike
Ages 18+
#143664 Thurs, Oct 5th 6pm-7:30pm
FREE
Unwind after work with a 90-minute hike around the preserve. We will start and end at the Waterfront Deck overlooking Lake Wylie.
Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Nature Hike
All Ages
#143695 Fri, Oct 6th 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, strollers are not advised.
Pre-registration required (for child and adult alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Preschool Explorers Series: Spinning Spiders
Ages 4-6
#143661 Fri, Oct 6th 1:30pm-3pm
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
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: Adult Trail Trekkers: Stone Mountain State Park
Ages 18+
#143682 Tues, Oct 10th 8am-5pm
$35 resident/$42 non-resident
Adult Trail Trekkers are adventuring offsite today to explore Stone Mountain State Park. Our moderately strenuous hike will include views from Cedar Rock and Wolf Rock overlooking the beautiful colors of fall. Stone Mountain is located northwest of Winston-Salem in Alleghany and Wilkes counties about 2 hours from McDowell. Participants should expect to hike 3-5 miles at a moderate pace. Transportation, a snack, and a naturalist guide are included.
Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Public Homeschool: Geocaching
Ages 8-11
#143693 Thurs, Oct 12th 1pm-3pm
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
With adequate preparation, you can have fun in the wilderness! The goal of this program is to introduce the audience to the idea of spending time in the woods for fun and gaining skills in geocaching.
No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Explore the Carolinas: Greenway Series
Ages 18+
#143692 Sat, Oct 14th 9am-11am
FREE
Nature is everywhere! Explore what Carolinas have to offer by visiting different greenways each month. This month we are visiting Little Sugar Creek Greenway (Tyvola Rd). These walks will be approximately 2-4 miles over paved greenways.
Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Photography Hike
Ages 18+
#143681 Sat, Oct 14th 2pm-3:30pm
FREE
Enjoy a hike guided by a naturalist from the McDowell Nature Center on one of the preserves scenic trails. This hike will have many opportunities to pause and photograph what the preserve has to offer such as plants, trees, Lake Wylie, and wild animals that call the preserve home.
Pre-registration is required.

Program Name: MDNP: Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet
All Ages
#143671 Sun, Oct 15th 2pm-2:30pm
#143672 Sun, Oct 15th 4pm-4:30pm
#143673 Sun, Oct 29th 2pm-2:30pm
#143675 Sun, Oct 29th 4pm-4:30pm
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 animals' adaptations and everyday life out inthe wild!
Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Nature at Night Week: Book and Look: Nocturnal Animals
All Ages
#143680 Mon, Oct 16th 10am-11am
FREE
Nature Book and Look offers preschoolers and their families an opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature! As we get ready for our Nature at Night festival this Saturday, our topic this Monday is Nocturnal Animals! We will discover different native species that come out at night through a book and hands-on activity.
Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).

Program Name: MDNP: Kids Hiking Club
Ages 8-13
#143694 Fri, Oct 20th 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. Adult participation not required. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: Nature at Night
All Ages
#133814 Sat, Oct 21st 5pm-9pm
$7 resident/non-resident
Celebrate all things nocturnal during McDowell Nature Center’s 13th annual Nature at Night festival. This fun-filled, educational event shines a spotlight on what nature has to offer after the sun goes down. Ticket price includes live animals, crafts, night hikes, wagon rides, s'mores, popcorn, and interactive booths! New this year: Meals are not included in the ticket price. Food Trucks will be onsite for meals to purchase separately. Pre-registration required (2years and under are free). Event is rain or shine. This is not a pet-friendly event.
Search "Nature at Night" to view all the themed activities this week, leading up to the main event at McDowell Nature Center on October 21!

Program Name: MDNP: Public Homeschool: Wetlands
Oct 26th 1:30pm-3pm
#143659 Ages 7-9
#143660 Ages 10-12
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
McDowell is home to various forms of wetlands from ourbeaver cove to ephemeral pools! Soak up wetlandknowledge like a sponge with this hands-on program that isaligned with NC DPI K-12 Standards and Curriculum. Pre-registration required.

Program Name: MDNP: 'Tis the Season: Adventure Buddy Meet-Up
Ages 21+
#143697 Thurs, Oct 26th 6:30pm-8pm
FREE
New to the area? Need an adventure buddy? Seeking an adventurous friend to take off on fun outdoor experiences? Meet us at The Auto Pour (5033 South Blvd Charlotte, NC28217) to get to know other like-minded people who like to experience the outdoors. Whether you want to day hike in the beauty of nature, do multi day backpacking trips, kayak lakes and rivers or climb the highest peaks the Carolinas has to offer this is the place to find your newest adventure buddy. *Friendships not guaranteed. Pre-registration not required. McDowell Swag Bag to the first 5 attendees!

Program Name: MDNP: Preschool Explorers Series: Pumpkin Hunt
Ages 4-6
#143662 Fri, Oct 27th 1:30pm-3pm
$5 resident/$6 non-resident
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.

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