Winter & Spring at Reed Creek
Winter & Spring at Reed Creek
Reed Creek Nature Center will be offering free classes during the winter and spring season. These offerings are great for homeschool families and for those looking for some after-school fun. Also, if you have small ones, Tiny Tots Storytime is back! Check out their schedule below.
Interperter-Led Wetland Walks
All Ages
No Registration Required
Saturdays 4:30 pm
(1/14, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18)
Saturdays 5:00 pm
(4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13)
Tiny Tot Storytime
FREE (Pre-registration required – Registration opens one month prior to class)
A fun story, craft, and activity for ages 2-4.
Mondays at 10 am – 11 am
1/9: The Mitten by Jan Brett
1/23: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
2/13: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
3/13: Are You Ready to Play Outside by Mo Willems
3/27: The Thing About Spring by Daniel Kirk
4/17: The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
4/24: Lily the Leopard Gecko by Jessica Sterling-Malek
5/8: Little Otter Learns to Swim by Artie Knapp
5/15: Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
Photo Credit: Columbia County Parks, Recreation and Events
Winter & Spring Science Exploration Classes
Classes with varying topics are designed to educate and inspire participants to explore the world around them.
FREE (Pre-registration required – Registration opens one month prior to class)
Ages 5-15 (Except Where Indicated)
Thursdays 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturdays 10 am – 11 am
Really Cool Reptiles
Come out and meet all our awesome reptiles and learn about what makes them different from other animals. During this hands-on class, you will meet snakes, turtles, & lizards.
Thursday, February 16
Saturday, February 18
Thursday, March 9
Thursday, March 30
Saturday, April 1
Snow Science
Building snowmen, throwing snowballs, skiing, skating, and sledding! Snow can be so much fun and so interesting too! Explore the science of snow with hands-on demonstrations to learn about cloud formations, weather patterns, and how crystals form.
Thursday, January 12
Saturday, January 14
Egg Drop or Bust (ages 5-15)
Experiment with different materials to create an egg drop apparatus to keep your egg safe during our drop experiment. We will drop them from the side of the building to see how well our designs work
Thursday, January 19
Winter Adaptation
Learn about each of the three major categories of winter adaptation: migration, hibernation, and resistance! Learn about what animals are and why these strategies are used during the winter all over the world!
Thursday, January 26
Saturday, January 28
Rocks & Minerals! (ages 8-15)
Learn how to identify and classify rocks and minerals and discover the rock cycle. Enjoy hands-on observation/testing of samples. Each participant is welcome to bring a rock to share. Please limit sharing to one rock/mineral.
Thursday, February 2
Saturday, February 4
Pollution Solution
In this class, you will learn about the different types of pollution and their effects on the ecosystem. Also, we will be going over how the water cycle plays an important role and getting hands-on with our enviroscape model!
Thursday, February 9
Saturday, February 11
Fantastic Fossils (ages 8-15)
Dig into learning about what fossils are and how they are made! This is a hands-on class where we will be interacting with real fossils found in our area! Each participant is welcome to bring any potential fossils they might have to share but please limit sharing to one fossil.
Thursday, March 2
Saturday, March 4
Totally Topographic
Understand the layout of the land with our hands-on topography and watershed class. Here we will learn about reading topographic maps, understanding our local watershed, and watching how water pollution interacts with both.
Thursday, March 16
Saturday, March 18
Creek Exploration
With dip nets in hand, children will explore and learn about the critters that live in the creek or wetland. Be prepared to get wet and muddy. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes, rain boots preferred to protect from leeches and trash.
Thursday, April 13
Thursday, April 20
Earth Day!
Continue your Earth Day celebration and learn about our home and what we can do to protect it! Children will be learning about plant life cycles and why they are important in maintaining a healthy Earth. Also, each child will be making seed bombs to grow their own plants at home!
Saturday, April 22
Wonderful Wetlands
Come explore our wetlands and venture into the science behind their properties that help to keep our planet healthy. We will use a hands-on approach and take a closer look at the plants, soil, and other special features of the wetland.
Thursday, April 27
Saturday, April 29
Snake ID (adults and ages 10+) (1.5 hours long)
People of all ages are welcome to join this class designed to help identify the snakes commonly found in our area. The class will begin with a presentation about the venomous and non-venomous snakes found here and conclude with a walk around the wetland to try and ID some snakes!
Saturday, April 15
Saturday, May 6
Beginner Naturalist Series
This series of classes will teach participants how to identify local flora and fauna using technology and field tools while exploring the park.
Bird is the Word
Have you ever wanted to learn what birds are flying around and singing in your backyard? This class will teach you how to identify some of the local bird species by both appearance and songs/calls. You will also learn how to properly use binoculars, field guides, and other forms of technology to help you identify.
January 23 | 4pm – 5 pm
February 27 | 4pm – 5 pm
March 20 | 4:30pm – 5:30 pm
Hobby Herping
Frogs, lizards, and snakes oh my! Come learn how to identify local reptile and amphibian species throughout the park and our surrounding areas. Learn where, when, and how to safely search for our favorite scaly and slimy friends. You will also learn how to properly use binoculars, field guides, and other forms of technology to help you identify.
February 6 | 4 pm – 5 pm
April 24 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Finding Flora
To the untrained eye trees, shrubs, and even flowers can all look the same. In this class, we will learn how to identify common local plants found within the park. Both native and non-native plants will be explored. You will also learn how to properly use field guides and other forms of technology to help you identify.
January 9 | 4 pm – 5 pm
April 10 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Investigating Insects
Whether they are flying, crawling, or jumping, insects are an important and often misunderstood group of animals that contribute so much to our ecosystems. In this class learn how to identify local insect species found within the park and around your home. You will also learn how to properly use magnifying glasses, field guides, and other forms of technology to help you identify.
March 6 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Homeschool Science & Nature Club
A five-week science program for homeschoolers ages 5-12 that meets on either Tuesday or Thursday from 9 am – 10:30 am. Children will be divided into two age groups (5-8 and 9-12). Parents are NOT required to stay with children.
Choose:
Session 1 (January 10 – February 16)
OR
Session 2 (March 7 – April 20 *will not meet 4/4, 4/6)
**Please note that both sessions will cover the same topics. The goal of different sessions is to allow for more families to participate in the program.
Cost: $25 for the first child and $15 for each additional child
Photo Credit: Columbia County Parks, Recreation and Events
Field Trips/Private Classes/Ambassador Animal Outreach*
Offered on Wednesdays and Fridays.
To Schedule call 706-312-7358 or email reedcreekpark@columbiacountyga.gov
$2/child for school groups (including homeschool co-ops & scouts)
$5/person (private family groups)
*Live Ambassador Animal Outreach Programs are FREE. Our live animals travel to visit school groups and other organizations as often as we can. Call or email for more info.
Wetland Walk & Scavenger hunt
Come and explore the flora and fauna of our beautiful wetland as we take an interpretive stroll to learn about the plants and animals that call it home.
Really Cool Reptiles
Come meet our awesome scaly pals and learn what makes them different from other animals.
Owl Pellet Dissection
Study vertebrate anatomy while discovering what an owl eats.
Creek Exploration
With dip nets in hand, children will explore and learn about the critters that live in the creek or pond. Be prepared to get wet and muddy. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes, rain boots preferred.
Build a Personalized Class
Our environmental educators can teach a variety of science topics. If you are interested in a topic not listed, please call to discuss available options.
How To Register
Registration is required online:
https://secure.rec1.com/GA/columbia-county-ga/catalog
Got Questions?
Feel free to give them a call at 706-312-7358.
