Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
June 1
June 2
Books and Boots
The Elkhart Public Library has teamed up with the Elkhart County Parks to offer a book club for kids! Each meeting will include a book discussion followed by a park-led activity exploring one of the book’s environmental themes. Activities could include hikes, live animals, and more.
Visit the Elkhart Public Library’s website to check out a copy of this month’s book, Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson.
June 3
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Trip
What does breakfast cereal and bird research have in common? The answer: a man named W. K. Kellogg, who founded the well-known Kellogg cereal company and created a 180-acre bird sanctuary in Augusta, Michigan. Join us on a road trip to visit the sanctuary home to many wild bird species, including, waterfowl, game birds, and raptors. Hike the trails, visit the Visitor’s Center and stroll the gardens. Binoculars and a camera are strongly encouraged. We will provide transportation for the first 10 participants wanting a ride. All others will need to provide their own transportation.
June 3
Volunteer Day: Cobus Creek Restoration
Learn new skills, care for the environment, meet new friends, and be a part of something big – sign up for a Volunteer Day!
On 6/3, assist park staff with restoration and clean up of the beautiful Cobus Creek. Plan to bring water, work gloves and boots/waders to get into the water. Insect repellant and hats are recommended. Snacks will be provided. Advanced registration required.
Meet at Cobus Creek County Park, located at 30680 C.R. 8 in Elkhart.
June 3
Family Picnic & Tea Party
Summer Reading is here! Calling all kids, families, couples, friends, grandparents, and anyone out for a summery stroll. Pack a picnic, head to the Kum Mol Rie Shelter, and bring a non-perishable item to donate to Middlebury Food Pantry if you are able. We’ll have drinks and snacks while supplies last, but please bring your own lunch and be sure to talk to someone about how to sign up for summer reading at the library.
In partnership with Elkhart County Parks, Middlebury Public Library will offer monthly programs from May-September that focus on spending time (and appreciating the) outdoors, connecting with family and friends, and experiencing the beautiful natural wonder in our county’s parks.
No fee and all ages are welcome.
June 6
June 7
Wednesday Bird Walk: Countryside Nesters
Summer birds are moving into our area and beginning to nest! Stretch your wings and see countryside birds on an easy-paced hike along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. Summer nesting species we may encounter include Savannah Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, and Eastern Meadowlark. Step out to see some of these unique birds setting up summer homes on this special extended bird walk.
Meet at CR 43 Trailhead, located 2 miles NW of Middlebury, off of IN-13, and a 1/2 mile north of C.R. 1 (Directions here).
The group will head out at 8 a.m. – please plan travel time accordingly.
June 7
June 9
Prairie Hike
Join us for a hike through the amazing and diverse prairie developed at Boot Lake Nature Preserve to get an idea of what a prairie would have looked like 200 years ago. There will be a short introduction of the history of the Boot Lake property then a hike into the prairie to discuss the various unique plants, their significance and history.
June 10
Spanish/English Scavenger Hunt
Stop by Ox Bow County Park between 3 and 6 pm to complete a family-friendly scavenger hunt, available in either Spanish or English. This hunt will have you looking, listening, and feeling for some of the unique and natural features in the park. Complete the scavenger hunt by yourself or with a group before 6 pm to collect a prize.
*Finish your scavenger hunt in time for a Sweet Cycle ride to The Chief in Goshen, leaving from Ox Bow Haus at 6 pm.
Pase por Ox Bow County Park entre las 3 y las 6 pm para completar una búsqueda del tesoro familiar, disponible en español o inglés. Esta cacería lo hará mirar, escuchar y sentir algunas de las características únicas y naturales del parque. Complete la búsqueda del tesoro solo o con un grupo antes de las 6:00 p. m. para obtener un premio.
*Termine su búsqueda del tesoro a tiempo para un paseo en Sweet Cycle a The Chief en Goshen, que sale de Ox Bow Haus a las 6 p.m.
June 10
Sweet Cycle Ride
What could be better than a nice summer ride with friends, family, and delicious ice cream? If this sounds tempting, join us for one of our Sweet Cycle rides on the 2nd Saturday of each month this summer. This month’s ride will begin at Ox Bow County Park and will follow the Maple Heart Trail to the Chief Ice Cream shop for a cool, refreshing treat. Cyclists will return to Ox Bow giving riders a total of 10 sweet cycling miles.
Come early and enjoy a family scavenger hunt in the park before your ride. Stop in anytime between 3-6 pm.
June 14
Open House at the Schoolhouse
Grab your schoolbooks and step back a century as you explore the One-room Schoolhouse at Bonneyville Mill County Park. Imagine yourself a student sitting in one of the small wooden desks, practicing your handwriting on the heavy slate boards, while keeping warm next to the wood-burning stove. As you catch a glimpse of what life was like for the average run-of-the-mill student, staff will be on-site to answer any questions you may have during these open hours.
June 15
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga in the parks. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
June 17
Feature Grain Day
Watch Bonneyville Mill produce Scottish Oatmeal. Scottish Oatmeal is one of our most popular products. It is made by setting a larger gap between the millstones thus producing a coarse “chunkier” product. It makes excellent oatmeal and can also be used in cookie recipes. Baked Samples will be available.
June 19
June 20
Hiking Club
Don’t miss the June Hiking Club. Meet at Fisherman’s Camp Shelter to hike another great trail in the Elkhart County Parks system. This trail follows the Elkhart River then crosses into the forest to explore the old riverbed. Ox Bow Park is named after a specific geological feature called an Ox Bow. This feature results when a horseshoe bend in a river is cut off from the main flow pattern of the river. The trail is 1.33 miles long. There are some small hills and steps.
June 20
June 21
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga geared towards teens. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Yoga benefits for teens: physical stamina, emotional regulation, stress reduction and confidence. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
June 21
June 22
Creatures of the Night: Bats
As night falls, the places we spend time outdoors can feel like a very different place. Familiar trails melt into shadows and the daytime soundscape is replaced with things that go bump in the night as nocturnal creatures come out to play. Join the Elkhart County Parks as we lift night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of these creatures of the night, from spiders weaving webs to bats on the wing.
Sunset acts as a dinner alarm to many of Elkhart County’s 8 native bat species. Come out to River Preserve County Park to observe these bats as they feast and learn about their remarkable characteristics. We will also be busting some of the most popular myths on the world’s only flying mammal.
June 25
Volunteer Day: Benton Canal Clean Up
Learn new skills, care for the environment, meet new friends, and be a part of something big – sign up for a Volunteer Day! On 6/25, work with park staff and paddling enthusiasts to clear fallen trees and debris for easier passage through the canal. Please bring a canoe or kayak, handsaw, chainsaw, pruners, loppers, or other tools. Plan to bring water and work gloves. Insect repellant and hats are recommended. Snacks will be provided. Advanced registration required.
Meet at Benton Hydro in River Preserve County Park, located 2 miles west of US-33 on C.R. 127 in Goshen (Directions here).
June 26
Nature Explorer Day Camp
Young nature explorers are invited to experience the forest, wetland, and prairie through games, shelter-building, swamp tromps, and LIVE animals! Each day, campers will explore a different natural habitat with a fun mix of activities centered around that theme.
The Nature Explorer Day Camp runs 6/26-28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m (daily).
