Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
July 1
Crossroads of Elkhart County Guided Tour
Walk through our Crossroads of Elkhart County exhibit with the museum staff who developed it! Staff will take you through this national award-winning exhibit that examines how our area got the name “Elkhart,” the contributions of the Miami and Potawatomi, the impact of European nations on the region, and influence the railroads have had on the community for over 170 years.
July 5
Wednesday Bird Walk: Rainbow Bingo
Start the day off seeking out a spectrum of vibrant birds at Cobus Creek. We’re adding some fun to this rainbow tour with a birding bingo challenge. Let’s see how many our group can spot on a walk along woodlands, waterways, and meadows seeking out the colorful bird life hidden within. Some vibrant birds we’re likely to encounter include Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, and Yellow Warbler.
The group will head out at 8 a.m. – please plan travel time accordingly.
July 5
July 7
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, The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver by Thornton Burgess.
July 8
Volunteer Day: Ox Bow Trail Maintenance
Learn new skills, care for the environment, meet new friends, and be a part of something big – sign up for a Volunteer Day!
On 7/8, work with park staff to spread mulch, trim edges and remove invasive species along well traveled trails. Plan to bring water and work gloves. Insect repellant, sunscreen and long pants are recommended. Advanced registration required.
Meet at the Cottonwood Shelter in Ox Bow County Park, located at 23033 C.R.45 in Dunlap. Park admission will be waived for all participants.
July 8
Crossroads of Elkhart County Guided Tour
Walk through our Crossroads of Elkhart County exhibit with the museum staff who developed it! Staff will take you through this national award-winning exhibit that examines how our area got the name “Elkhart,” the contributions of the Miami and Potawatomi, the impact of European nations on the region, and influence the railroads have had on the community for over 170 years.
July 8
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 Vanilla Bean Creamery for a cool, refreshing treat. Cyclists will return to Ox Bow giving riders a total of 11 sweet cycling miles.
July 11
Adventure Bike Camp
Embark on an adventure along bike-friendly trails at our cycling camp this summer. Each day will bring new discoveries for cyclists, ages 9-13, as we seek out fun destinations and activities together. Each day will also have different start and end locations where we will swim, eat sweet treats and experience the fun and adventure Elkhart County has to offer. All you need is a bike, helmet, water bottle, backpack, and sense of adventure!
Adventure Bike Camp runs 7/11-13, 12 -4 p.m. (daily).
July 12
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.
July 12
History Detective: House Histories
Become a history detective! Guided by the museum’s Curator of Collections, learn how to research houses and other buildings using the resources available in the Elkhart County Historical Museum’s library and archives. Learn about other research resources around the county as well. Registration is free but space is limited. Us the link below or call (574) 848-4322.
July 12
History Detective: House Histories
Become a history detective! Guided by the museum’s Curator of Collections, learn how to research houses and other buildings using the resources available in the Elkhart County Historical Museum’s library and archives. Learn about other research resources around the county as well. Registration is free but space is limited. Us the link below or call (574) 848-4322.
July 15
Family Foraging Walk
Join us for a family-friendly walk to forage, or gather, the wild and deliciously, edible bounty of the forest.
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.
July 15
Crossroads of Elkhart County Guided Tour
Walk through our Crossroads of Elkhart County exhibit with the museum staff who developed it! Staff will take you through this national award-winning exhibit that examines how our area got the name “Elkhart,” the contributions of the Miami and Potawatomi, the impact of European nations on the region, and influence the railroads have had on the community for over 170 years.
July 17
July 17
Creatures of the Night: Fireflies
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.
Delight in the nostalgic evening bliss of catching and releasing fireflies. Meet at the Benton Spillway to learn about their fun lifecycle, how and why they flash, and why we want more of them around. Participants will also try out their citizen scientist skills as we enter our findings into the Firefly Watch Community Science Project that monitors firefly populations throughout our country.
July 18
Hiking Club
Hiking Club plus a potential ice cream treat is a great way to spend a Tuesday evening. Meet the Hiking Club at the Dairy Queen parking lot in Middlebury. The hike will follow the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail for an out and back adventure. When the hike is finished participants are welcome to treat themselves to an ice cream treat. The hike is 3 miles long. It is all flat and a paved surface.
July 18
July 19
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.
July 20
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.
July 21
Bike Hike
Pump up your tires and put on your helmets for a bike hike along the Maple Heart and Elkhart River Greenway trails from Ox Bow County Park. Families, friend groups or individuals are invited to join a naturalist for a 10-mile ride through the woods and along the river as you experience this urban oasis. Riders must provide their own bike, helmet and water bottle.
July 22
Crossroads of Elkhart County Guided Tour
Walk through our Crossroads of Elkhart County exhibit with the museum staff who developed it! Staff will take you through this national award-winning exhibit that examines how our area got the name “Elkhart,” the contributions of the Miami and Potawatomi, the impact of European nations on the region, and influence the railroads have had on the community for over 170 years.
July 29
July 29
Crossroads of Elkhart County Guided Tour
Walk through our Crossroads of Elkhart County exhibit with the museum staff who developed it! Staff will take you through this national award-winning exhibit that examines how our area got the name “Elkhart,” the contributions of the Miami and Potawatomi, the impact of European nations on the region, and influence the railroads have had on the community for over 170 years.
