Cary, NC – The Town of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources facility offers some real amazing nature programs in January. Visit classweb.townofcary.org, or call (919) 462-2017 to register for programs. We are told that in the event a program is full, residents are encouraged to get on the wait list, as there are often cancellations.
Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve is designed to complement the natural surroundings of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve . The 3,700-square-foot center is named for Colonel William Walton Stevens and his wife Emily Stevens for their generous contributions and support of the center’s programs. Colonel Stevens was a native of Wake County and worked as a soil scientist and soil conservationist for the State of North Carolina where he was a leader in the conservation field, according to the center web site. The Stevens Nature Center provides information about the natural history of the area and the plants and animals that live in the Nature Preserve. The nature center also offers a variety of nature programs for participants of all ages on a year-round basis.
The Stevens Nature Center features a gift shop, an educational exhibit hall, classroom outdoor education shelter, and a native wildflower garden. Please contact Joy Logan with any questions at joy.logan@townofcary.org or (919) 387-5980.
January Line-up
Junior Naturalist (Age 5-8 w/a parent): Winter is Wonderful
Saturday, January 2 from 2-3 p.m.
Spend time with your child in these programs that encourage participants to develop their naturalist skills and understanding of local nature.
Fees: $8(Cary Residents) $10(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43819
Eco-Explorers (Age 7-9): Nature Detectives
Sunday, January 3 from 2-4 p.m.
Children will expand their knowledge of nature and build their observation skills in these hands-on explorations of nature and ecology.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43802
Discovery Days Mini-Camps (Age 5-7): Wild About Wetlands
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, January 4, 6 & 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Discover all that is wild about streams and pools and find out what animals are hanging out there!
Fees: $67(Cary Residents) $87(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 42156
Nature Fun for 4 & 5’s (Age 4-5): Discovering Dinosaurs
Tuesday & Thursday, January 5 & 7 from 1-3 p.m.
Dive into the world of nature through outdoor explorations, games, stories and crafts, in a safe and nurturing environment. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
Fees: $28(Cary Residents) $36(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44148
Kids Fun-Days (Age 5-8): Super Salamanders
Thursday, January 7 from 10 a.m.-noon
Children will delight in learning through hands-on explorations of nature using their senses and their imagination!
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44508
Curiosity Club (Age 5-6): Leaf Litter Critters
Saturday, January 9 from 10 a.m.-noon
Children will embrace science and nature while developing skills and knowledge to satisfy their curiosity about the natural world.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43793
Family Programs (Age 6 & up w/parents): Learning to Like the Dark!
Saturday, January 9 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Spend some quality time experiencing the fun of nature at Hemlock Bluffs with your family.
Fees: $11(Cary Residents) $14(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43829
Tales and Trails (All ages welcome w/a parent): Cool Coyotes
Sunday, January 10 from 2-3:30 p.m. Experience the world of coyotes with stories and a walk. Did you know there are coyotes are in Wake County?
Fees: $20(Cary Residents) $28(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43834
Discovery Days Mini-Camps (Age 8-12): Salamander Commander
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, January 11, 13 & 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Adventure into the preserve in search of the hiding places of salamanders and frogs.
Fees: $67(Cary Residents) $87(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 42157
Silver Naturalists (Age 55 & up): Birds and Buds
Tuesday, January 12 from 1:30-3 p.m.
We’ll search for winter birds and sharpen plant identification skills.
Fees: $5(Cary Residents) $7(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43325
Curious Creatures (Age 5-8): Backyard Bird Adventures
Thursday, January 14 from 10 a.m.-noon
Children will discover fascinating facts about birds, their habits, and their habitats through hikes, activities and crafts.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44424
Crafty Kids! (Age 7-10): Rock Art
Thursday, January 14 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Discover how ‘crafty’ nature can be in an environment that encourages a sense of wonder and creativity. Some projects may get ‘messy’, so dress to get dirty!
Fees: $17(Cary Residents) $22(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44161
Eco-Explorers (Age 7-9): Dinosaurs Rock!
Saturday, January 16 from 2-4 p.m.
Children will expand their knowledge of nature and build their observation skills in these hands-on explorations of nature and ecology.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43803
Junior Naturalist (Age 5-8 w/a parent): Nature at Night
Saturday, January 16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Spend time with your child in these programs that encourage participants to develop their naturalist skills and understanding of local nature.
Fees: $8(Cary Residents) $10(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43820
Hemlock Nature Quest (Age 13-18): Winter Birding Adventures
Sunday, January 17 from 2-4 p.m.
Join us as we survey the preserve for winter bird residents.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43815
Nature Fun for 4 & 5’s (Age 4-5): Discovering Dinosaurs
Tuesday & Thursday, January 19 & 21 from 10 a.m.-noon
Dive into the world of nature through outdoor explorations, games, stories and crafts, in a safe and nurturing environment. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
Fees: $28(Cary Residents) $36(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44149
Kids Fun-Days (Age 5-8): Looking Under Logs
Tuesday, January 19 from 4-6 p.m.
Children will delight in learning through hands-on explorations of nature using their senses and their imagination!
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44509
Wee Walkers (Age 1 & up w/a parent): Big or Small
Wednesday, January 20 from 10-11 a.m.
Little ones will delight in discoveries of the shapes, colors, textures, sounds, and smells of nature as we focus on specific concepts each class.
Fees: $8(Cary Residents) $10(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44136
Eco-Express (Age 8-12): Amphibian Awareness
Thursday, January 21 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Take the fast track to nature in these hands-on studies of nature and ecology at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44499
Nature Nuts (Age 3-5 w/a parent): Muskrats
Friday, January 22 from 10-11 a.m.
Go nutty for nature as children satisfy some of their curiosity about the world around them and parents share in the joy of discovery!
Fees: $11(Cary Residents) $14(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43846
Night Out in Nature (Age 8-12)
Friday, January 22 from 6-9 p.m.
Kids spend a night out in nature making memories and new friends in this old fashioned camp-style program. Each month is something new!
Fees: $17(Cary Residents) $22(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43788
Nature Nuts (Age 3-5 w/a parent): Muskrats
Saturday, January 23 from 10-11 a.m.
Go nutty for nature as children satisfy some of their curiosity about the world around them and parents share in the joy of discovery!
Fees: $11(Cary Residents) $14(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43847
Adult Nature Programs (Age 16 & up): Winter Birding
Saturday, January 23 from 10:30 a.m.-noon
Continue your lifelong learning through informative and educational nature walks that are focused on seasonal activity. Discover the winter birds of the Bluffs.
Fees: $6(Cary Residents) $8(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43334
Young Ecologists (Age 10-12): Salamander Safari
Sunday, January 24 from 2-4 p.m.
Search the preserve for salamanders.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43811
Discovery Days Mini-Camps (Age 8-12): Salamander Commander
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, January 25, 27 & 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Adventure into the preserve in search of the hiding places of salamanders and frogs.
Fees: $67(Cary Residents) $87(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44177
Kids Fun-Days (Age 5-8): Dynamic Dinosaurs
Tuesday, January 26 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Children will delight in learning through hands-on explorations of nature using their senses and their imagination!
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44510
Curious Creatures (Age 5-8): Rocks at the Bluffs
Thursday, January 28 from 4-6 p.m.
Children will discover fascinating facts about rocks and geology at the bluffs through hikes, activities and crafts.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44425
Wee Walkers (Age 1 & up w/a parent): Big or Small
Friday, January 29 from 10-11 a.m.
Little ones will delight in discoveries of the shapes, colors, textures, sounds, and smells of nature as we focus on specific concepts each class.
Fees: $8(Cary Residents) $10(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 44137
Curiosity Club (Age 5-6): Full Moon Hike!
Saturday, January 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Children will embrace science and nature while developing skills and knowledge to satisfy their curiosity about the natural world.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43794
Eco-Explorers (Age 7-9): Animal Inns
Sunday, January 31 from 2-4 p.m.
Children will expand their knowledge of nature and build their observation skills in these hands-on explorations of nature and ecology.
Fees: $12(Cary Residents) $16(Non-Cary Residents)
Code: 43804
