Events

First Day Hike

January 1 at 10:00 AM

Kick off 2026 with a little outdoor therapy on a first day hike through the crisp, winter landscape of Boot Lake Nature Preserve. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a stroll in the park as we celebrate the new year together. This hike will last approximately 0ne hour and we will travel through a variety of habitats. Please come dressed for the weather!

Museum Game Day

January 2 at 10:00 AM

School-aged kids are invited to come and play at the Museum! Get up and moving with games like life-size Hungry Hungry Hippos, giant Jenga, obstacle courses, and more!

Elkhart County Christmas Bird Count

January 3 at 7:30 AM

Help count birds today to help bring a brighter future for them tomorrow! Be a hero and join the 30ᵗʰ Annual Elkhart County Christmas Bird Count, part of a nationwide Audubon event centered on the protection and conservation of birds.

How it Works: During the count, volunteers tally all the birds seen and heard within the survey area and help provide a one-day snapshot of bird populations across the county. The valuable data we collect helps fuel research and guide conservation action for birds in the years to come.

How to Participate: Counters who live within the boundaries of the count circle are invited to participate by reporting the birds that visit their feeders and properties. Participants can choose to gather data all day or as little as one hour. Come be a part of this annual event!

How to Sign up: Email – rdecaire@elkhartcounty.com or call 574-535-6458 [Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.]. Register by DEC 1.

Nature Nuts: Feed the Birds

January 6 at 9:30 AM

Preschoolers (ages 3-5) are invited to learn about what birds like to eat, where they find their food and how we can help them. A snack, story, craft, and hike (weather permitting) are included.

Winter Walking Club

January 6 at 4:30 PM

During January and February, join a weekly winter walking group and enjoy the benefits of fresh air, friendly faces and staying active. Each week, we’ll meet and hike at a different park location. Layers are best in winter, so please dress appropriately.

Wed. Bird Walk: Owls

January 7 at 8:00 AM

There’s nothing quite so magical as finding your very first owl. Come take a haunting walk in the woods as we seek out some of the stealthiest birds around and learn ways to detect their presence. During these colder months, Indiana has more owls than any other time of year, so now is a fantastic time to get out and (with luck) find some of our more elusive wintering residents, like the tiny Northern Saw-whet or the cryptic Long-eared Owl. The group will head out at 8 a.m. — please plan travel time accordingly. Meet at Pipewort Pond/Lieber Nature Preserve (Directions Here).

• What to Expect: Come prepared for an easy-paced hike.
• Suggested Gear: Hiking boots & weather-ready layers (binoculars will be available for use).

Nature Nuts: Feed the Birds

January 7 at 9:30 AM

Preschoolers (ages 3-5) are invited to learn about what birds like to eat, where they find their food and how we can help them. A snack, story, craft, and hike (weather permitting) are included.

Books & Boots

January 9 at 1:00 PM

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.

Winter Wildlife Hike

January 9 at 4:30 PM

Join a naturalist on a cool winter hike at Baintertown Dam (Directions Here) in search of wildlife tracks and signs, like river otter and mink.

Winter Astronomy

January 9 at 7:00 PM

Due to ice crystals in the atmosphere, winter constellations are often brilliant and bright. Join a naturalist to learn the art of constellation-hopping to easily find the winter triangle and Orion and his hunting dogs. Marshmallows, hot chocolate, and star charts will be provided.

Winter Walking Club

January 13 at 4:30 PM

During January and February, join a weekly winter walking group and enjoy the benefits of fresh air, friendly faces and staying active. Each week, we’ll meet and hike at a different park location. Layers are best in winter, so please dress appropriately.

Yoga in the Museum

January 15 at 6:00 PM

Flow with history during this all-levels guided yoga class. Certified teacher Amanda of Innate Yoga will lead us through an empowering practice in the Museum’s gallery space. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and water bottles. A limited number of mats will be available for use.

Grain Art

January 16 at 5:00 PM

Bonneyville Mill grinds many types of grain. Attend this fun program and use the various grains to create artistic pictures/designs on posterboard backgrounds. Take your creation home to share with family and friends. All supplies will be provided.

Survival: Finding Kindling

January 17 at 10:00 AM

One of the first things you need, when it comes to fire making, is kindling. But, from spring and summer to fall and winter, kindling can look different. Ignite your curiosity with this deep dive into what fire kindling looks like throughout the seasons.

Beef Canning Workshop

January 17 at 10:00 AM

Practice a centuries-old method for food preservation with this hands-on workshop. Learn about the history of canning and the connection between soil quality and meat quality. Take home your own pint of pressure-canned beef – that you packed yourself! All materials and canners provided.

Winter Walking Club

January 20 at 4:30 PM

During January and February, join a weekly winter walking group and enjoy the benefits of fresh air, friendly faces and staying active. Each week, we’ll meet and hike at a different park location. Layers are best in winter, so please dress appropriately.

Curiosity Club: Winter

January 21 at 10:00 AM

Tap into your preschooler’s natural curiosity as we discover ways to stay warm, safe, and entertained in the wintertime. Join in the fun and learning with a physical activity, story, craft, and snack.
All Curiosity Club classes in 2026 will have a civics component. Let’s learn together about the helpers in our community!

Trail Trekkers: River Otter

January 27 at 1:30 PM

Budding naturalists (ages 6-9) are invited to explore the winter landscape with a naturalist for tracks, slides and scat of river otter. This park is a favorite an active winter location for them!

Meet at Baintertown Dam in River Preserve County Park (Directions Here).

Winter Walking Club

January 27 at 4:30 PM

During January and February, join a weekly winter walking group and enjoy the benefits of fresh air, friendly faces and staying active. Each week, we’ll meet and hike at a different park location. Layers are best in winter, so please dress appropriately.

Waterfowl ID Workshop

January 31 at 9:00 AM

As the waterfowl season kicks in, join bird lovers to discover which dazzling ducks you might see on our waters. Species may include Pintails, Loons, Buffleheads, and Goldeneyes. We’ll gather at Rieth Interpretive Center (Directions Here) to go over waterfowl basics and get our ducks in a row, then carpool to Fidler Pond Park, a local waterfowl hotspot in Goshen. The second half of the program will be outdoors, so plan to bring warm layers. Binoculars will be available for use.

Dutch Oven Dump Cake & Ice Cream

January 31 at 10:00 AM

Reserve a spot and use provided materials to create a Dutch Oven Dump Cake. Ice cream will top it off for a sweet tooth lunch. The dump cakes are made with cake mix (enhanced with Bonneyville flour) and fruit. Everyone in attendance will be given instructions and supplies.