STEELE CREEK NEWS

November Programs at McDowell Nature Center

(October 23, 2022) The McDowell Nature Center and Preserve offers a wide variety of programs for adults, children, and families. Listed below are programs for November 2022. To sign up or for more information, go to the Activity Search web page and search by program keyword. Click on the following link for more details about Group Programs and other Environmental Education & Nature Programs.

The McDowell Nature Center is located at 15222 York Road within the McDowell Nature Preserve (off NC Highway 49 across from Palisades High School). Direct questions to the McDowell Nature Center at 980-314-1128.

Program Name: Adult Trail Trekkers
Get active in nature with a McDowell Naturalist during this 90-minute, adult only hike. Discover what is happening seasonally throughout the preserve. Pre-registration required.
Ages 18+ FREE
#133301 Tuesday, November 1; 1:00PM- 2:30PM
#132471 Tuesday, November 29; 1:00PM-2:30PM

Program Name: McDowell Campfire
Fire! S'mores! Fun! Friends! Get all of these at a McDowell Nature Preserve campfire. Spend the evening discovering all things fire. Pre-registration required (for all participants, adult and child alike).
All Ages, FREE
#132515 Wednesday, November 2; 6:30PM-8:00PM
#132517 Wednesday, November 16; 6:30PM-8:00PM
#132518 Wednesday, November 30; 6:30PM-8:00PM

Program Name: Adult Trail Trekkers
Get active in nature with a McDowell Naturalist during this 90-minute, adult only hike. On Thursdays, Adult Trail Trekkers is an extended hike (+) for a full 2 hours accumulating a little extra mileage than Tuesday's 90 min hike. Discover what is happening seasonally throughout the preserve. Pre-registration required.
Ages 18+, FREE
#132447 Thursday, November 3; 9:00AM-11:00AM
#132449 Thursday, November 10; 9:00AM-11:00AM
#132450 Thursday, November 17; 9:00AM-11:00AM

Program Name: Kids Hiking Club
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 with a staff member and 1- 2 parent chaperones. Pre-registration required.
Ages 8-13, FREE
#132512 Fri, November 4; 9:30AM-11:30AM

Program Name: Super Sunday Scavenger Hunt
Grab your friends and family, put on your detective hats, and head over to McDowell Nature Center for an afternoon of nature discovery. Once you complete the hunt, check back in with the nature center for a prize. Pre-registration is NOT required as this is a self-led activity.
All Ages, FREE
#132474 Sunday, November 6; 1:30PM - 4:30PM
#132475 Sunday, November 13; 1:30PM - 4:30PM
#132477 Sunday, November 20; 1:30PM- 4:30PM
#132478 Sunday, November 27; 1:30PM-4:30PM

Program Name: Full Moon Hike
How does the forest change as the sun goes down? See for yourself, hiking approximately 2 miles with a team of McDowell Outdoor Recreation Specialists as the full moon rises to light your way. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Ages 7+, Resident $5/Non-Resident $6
#132511 Wednesday, November 9; 6:30PM-8:00PM

Program Name: Public Homeschool: Outdoor Adventure & Leave No Trace
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 the principals of Leave No Trace. This hands-on program is aligned with NC DPI K-12 Standards and Curriculum. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.
Ages 8-11, Resident $5/ Non-Resident $6
#132601 Thursday, November 10; 1:00PM-3:00PM

Program Name: Trails and Tails
Have a K-9 companion? Want to meet other dog lovers in Mecklenburg County? Together with our "Tails" we will hit the "Trails." Each month we will meet at different parks, preserves or greenways around the Charlotte area. Please call Chad Moore at 980-314- 1565 for more information.
All Ages, FREE
#132519 Saturday, November 12; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Program Name: Nature Book and Look
Journey through a nature BOOK read by a naturalist and interact with biofacts to explore the story further. Then, we will LOOK at nature around us with a hike, hands-on activity, or a craft. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
All Ages, FREE
#133195 Mon, November 14; 10:00AM - 11:00AM
#133196 Mon, November 28; 10:00AM - 11:00AM

Program Name: Adult Trail Trekkers: Congaree National Park
Adult Trail Trekkers are adventuring offsite today to hike one of our local national parks. Congaree National Park consists of 20,000 acres of federal designated forest containing floodplain forest for us to explore. Participants should expect to hike around 5-7 miles. Transportation, a snack, and a naturalist guide are included. Pre-registration required.
Ages 18+, Resident $35/Non-Resident $42
#132442 Tues, November 15; 8:00AM-4:00PM

Program Name: Preschool Explorers Series: Birds & Binoculars
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. This is a drop-off program. Adult participation NOT required.
Ages 4-6, Resident $8/ Non-Resident $10
#132643 Fri, November 18; 1:30PM-3:00PM

Program Name: Trash Trackers
Connect with others and nature while making Nature Hike a positive difference in our Nature Preserves. In this program, participants will help keep Mecklenburg County beautiful by removing trash. This month's location: Evergreen Nature Preserve; 1336 Norland Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205. Please register through Volunteer Connect under "Nature Centers." - https://volunteer.parkandrec.mecklenburgco untync.gov/ No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Ages 12+, FREE
#132432 Fri, November 18, 9:30AM-11:30AM

Program Name: Nature Hike
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's strollers are not advised. Pre-registration required (for child and adult alike).
All Ages, FREE
#130981 Fri November 18, 10:00AM-11:30AM

Program Name: National Camp(fire) Day
Celebrate National Camp Day after lunch and get a s'more dessert with your family along with hot cocoa. Try your hand at lighting a cotton ball with flint and steel, enjoy a campfire story and games. Pre-registration required.
#132456 Kids: Ages under 18
#132454 Adults: Ages 18+
Resident $4/Non-Resident $5
Saturday, November 19; 1:00PM-2:30PM N

Program Name: Yoga and Hiking Amongst the Trees
What better way to relieve stress than take your practice outside in our beautiful nature preserve! Practice grounding and breathe in the fresh air during our asana practice led by a naturalist and certified yoga instructor. This practice includes a trail hike and meditation. Walk-ins not accepted. Pre-registration required.
Ages 18+, Resident $7/ Non-Resident $8
#132467 Sunday, November 20, 2:00PM-4:00PM

Program Name: School Day Out Adventure: Archery and Orienteering
Looking for your next adventure? Immerse yourself in a day of outdoor adventure by participating in both archery and orienteering. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required.
Ages 10-12, Resident $18/ Non-Resident $22
#132606 Wednesday, November 23, 10:00AM-3:00PM

Program Name: Weed Warriors
Wanted: Elaeagnus sp. Also known as Silverberry. Reward: Protection of McDowell Nature Preserve's native species and natural communities. Connect with people and nature all the while making a positive difference in our natural communities by removing invasive plant species. Please register through Volunteer Connect under "Nature Centers." https://volunteer.parkandrec.mecklenburgco untync.gov/ No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Ages 12+, FREE
#132436 Saturday, November 26, 9:30AM-12:00PM

Program Name: Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet
Sunday afternoons are perfect for a live animal encounter. Have a personal and close-up meet and greet with one of the McDowell Animal Ambassadors. Discover the ambassador's life at the nature center and how that animal survives in the natural world. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
All Ages, FREE
#132341 Sunday, November 27; 3PM-3:30PM

Program Name: Outdoor Classroom: Treemendous Trees
Trees are miraculous; how do they change colors and lose their leaves in the fall? How do trees function? Why are trees so important? Find out the answers to your questions through a variety of activities fit for families. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
#132462 Kids: Ages under 18
#132461 Adults: Ages 18+ Residents $4/ Non-Resident $5
Tuesday, November 29, 3:00PM-4:00PM

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