Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
July 2
July 3
Wed. Bird Walk: Rainbow Bingo
Start the day off seeking out a spectrum of colorful birds at Cobus Creek. We’re adding some fun to this rainbow tour with a birding bingo challenge. Letโs see how many birds our group can find on a walk through the woodlands, waterways, and meadows of Cobus Creek. A few vibrant birds weโre likely to encounter include Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and Scarlet Tanagers. With an eye for color and a little luck, bird bingo players may just win a little rainbow of their own as a prize! The group will head out at 8 a.m. โ please plan travel time accordingly.
๐ช๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐ข ๐๐ซ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง: Come prepared for a 2-mile hike.
๐ฆ๐จ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ: Water and breathable layers.
July 3
July 5
Books & 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 bookโs environmental themes. Activities could include hikes, live animals, and more. Visit the Elkhart Public Libraryโs website to check out a copy of this monthโs book.
July 5
Pumpkinvine Bike Hike
Pump up your tires and put your helmets on for a bike hike along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. Join a naturalist for a 12-mile ride through the beautiful countryside enjoying the fresh air, the birds and the blooms along the way. Bikers will start at Abshire Park, travel 6 miles to Mooey’s Ice Cream Shop, enjoy a sweet treat and turn around for a 6-mile return, back to Abshire Park. All riders must provide their own bike, helmet, water bottle and cash for ice cream.
July 6
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 โElkhart,โ 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
Adventure Bike Camp 7/8 & 7/9 & 7/10
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!
July 11
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Naturalist Sarah (200RYT) will take cues from nature to guide participants in strengthening and stretching poses. Wear comfortable clothing. Some mats are available, bring your own if you have one.
July 12
July 13
Hydro Hustle Adventure Race
Hustle down to the Historic Benton Hydro Canal at River Preserve County Park on Saturday, July 13th. Take in the beauty and history of the park as you compete to prove your speed on both land and water. Race beneath the tree-canopied canal and wide-open field views of the levy trail with this unique Adventure Race.
We will meet at Benton Spillway Paddle Launch.
July 13
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 โElkhart,โ 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 15
July 16
Hiking Club
Hiking Club meets once per month to hike for health, friends and fun. The hike takes place in a different location each month but is always on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Join us this month for a special out of county hike. We will meet at Pine Knob County Park in LaGrange County. Learn about our parks, meet new people and let the fun begin. This hike has mostly flat terrain and is about 2 miles in length.
July 18
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Naturalist Sarah (200RYT) will take cues from nature to guide participants in strengthening and stretching poses. Wear comfortable clothing. Some mats are available, bring your own if you have one.
July 18
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 18
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 18
P.O.W! – Biking
Meet at Abshire Park with your bike. We will have an informal talk from a local expert, then ride up the Pumpkinvine Trail to Middlebury and back. Parks Outdoor Women (P.O.W) gives women introductory experiences and instruction in various outdoor activities. Each month will focus on a different outdoor activity at an alternating Elkhart County Park. This group promotes friendship, leadership, adventure and enjoyment in the great outdoors.
July 19
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.
July 20
Feature Grain Day
Blue Corn is the feature grain this month. Blue cornmeal has a nuttier flavor than yellow cornmeal and is great for any cornmeal recipe. All feature grain days in 2024 will highlight a grain that is not a normal part of our line-up. The resulting flour/meal will be a LIMITED EDITION, product available for a short time. Make sure to attend to get yours before itโs gone. Grinding demonstrations of Blue Corn will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
July 20
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 โElkhart,โ 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 25
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Naturalist Sarah (200RYT) will take cues from nature to guide participants in strengthening and stretching poses. Wear
comfortable clothing. Some mats are available, bring your own if you have one.
July 25
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. As fireworks light up the night skies in July, another spectacular light show sparks to life in our forests. Walk down a woodland path on one of these nights, and you may feel like a Hollywood star on the red carpet, surrounded by sparkling lights. Come watch these firefly fireworks at Corson Riverwoods. Our group will take our time observing these bioluminescent beings on an easy-paced night hike.
What to Expect: Come prepared for a 1.5-mile hike. This hike is weather-dependent. Please check the event page for updates before heading out.
Suggested Gear: Breathable layers for buggy conditions.
Meet At: Corson Riverwoods County Park, located at 12773 CR 12 in Middlebury (Directions here).
July 27
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 โElkhart,โ 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.
