​Nature Fun For Little Ones

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• Ages: Geared for kids ages 3 - 5. A parent or guardian must attend.

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Cost: Free

• Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Description: Join us for exciting, hands-on activities designed to connect our youngest explorers and their families with the wonders of the natural world.

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Sessions:

• Frogs: Friday, April 3, 2026

• Spring Flowers and Seeds: Friday, May 1, 2026

• Birds: How They Eat: Friday, June 5, 2026 

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Special Events & Fundraisers

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Rock River Rush 2026

• Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Lowell Park

• Fee: $20.00 Resident / Non-Resident

• Description: Dive into the Rock River at Lowell Park with the Dixon Park District Team and help us make a splash for nature education! The Rock River Rush is a vital fundraiser for the Ruth Edwards Nature Center and our affordable Summer Camp Programs. Every dollar raised goes directly toward providing high-quality outdoor education and recreation for children and adults right here at Lowell Park.

 

Pallets In The Park: Earth Day Celebration

• Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

• Time: 4:00 AM – 7:00 PM

• Location: Lowell Park Pinetum

• Cost: Free

• Description: Celebrate Earth Day at Lowell Park with a day of sustainable art, a farmers market, live music, food trucks and community pride. Wander through the Pinetum to view a unique outdoor gallery of masterpieces painted on reclaimed wooden pallets by local artists. Inspired by the beauty of our planet, these vibrant works remain on display after event to connect visitors with nature through art.

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River Fishing Clinic

• Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026

• Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Location: Lowell Park

• Cost: FREE (Sponsored by the IDNR and U of I Extension)

• Description: Kick off your morning by the Rock River and learn the art of angling! This hands-on clinic is designed to introduce beginners to the joys of river fishing. With the support of experts from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U of I Extension, participants will learn about local fish species, proper casting techniques, and river safety. Whether you’re a first-timer or just looking to "pick the brains" of local experts, this clinic is the perfect way to connect with our local waterways.

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Mother’s Day Garden Art Workshop

• Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM to Noon

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center (Outdoor Event)

• Cost: $10.00 (Sponsored by RP Lumber and DPS Woods)

• Capacity: Limited to 48 participants

• Description: Celebrate Mother’s Day with a morning of outdoor creativity! Join us in the park to paint your very own handcrafted 17-inch wooden tulip garden stake. These beautiful, durable stakes were locally crafted through a collaboration with RP Lumber and DPS Woods, and they are the perfect addition to any spring garden. This tactile workshop is a wonderful opportunity for families to create a lasting memory and a piece of art that will bloom all year long.

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Clay Series

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Sculpting Spring

• Dates: Every Thursday, March 5 through May 28, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Cost: Free

• Description: This ongoing series invites participants to observe and document the awakening of the park. Each week, we explore the subtle changes in the landscape, from the first spring ephemerals to the return of migratory birds, fostering a deep appreciation for the seasonal transition.

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Summer Camp Series

 

Adventure Athletes Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, June 1–5, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Location: Lowell Park

• Ages: 7–14

• Description: Kick off the summer with forest relays and nature-inspired obstacle courses designed to get you moving and exploring the park!

 

Nature's Masterpieces Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, June 8–12, 2026

• Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Ages: 4–8

• Description: Use the park as your studio! Create art from natural materials, including leaf rubbings and twig sculptures.

 

SPARK Camp (Session 1)

• Date: Tuesday & Thursday, June 16 & 18, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: The Meadows

• Ages: 7–14

• Description: A high-energy event featuring a nature-inspired obstacle course in collaboration with the Dixon Park District. No other camps are scheduled this week so we can focus on the fun!

 

Junior Master Naturalist (Session 1)

• Date: Monday & Wednesday, June 22 & 24, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Ages: 7–14

• Description: Partnering with the U of I Extension - Lee County, this certification program trains the next generation of park stewards.

 

Forest Fairies & Woodland Gnomes Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, July 6–10, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Lowell Park

• Ages: 4–8

• Description: A magical week of building tiny houses and creating enchanted nature crafts tucked away in the trees.

 

SPARK Camp (Session 2)

• Date: Tuesday & Thursday, July 14 & 16, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: Lowell Park

• Ages: 7–14

• Description: The second installment of our high-energy obstacle course event with the Dixon Park District!

 

Messy Mud-Goghs Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, July 20–24, 2026

• Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Ages: 4–8

• Description: Get ready for tactile art! Finger painting with mud and splattering berry pigments—getting super messy is a requirement for this camp.

 

Junior Master Naturalist (Session 2)

• Date: Monday & Wednesday, July 20 & 22, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Ages: 7–14

• Description: Our second session for naturalist certification in partnership with the U of I Extension.

 

Nature's Paintbox Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, July 27–31, 2026

• Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Ages: 7–14

• Description: Learn to make your own paints from berries, mud, and charcoal to create unique, eco-friendly masterpieces.

 

Fort Building & Survival Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, August 3–7, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Lowell Park

• Ages: 9–14

• Description: Engineering outdoor shelters and learning the essential basics of "living off the land."

 

Pollinator Party Camp

• Date: Monday – Friday, August 3–7, 2026

• Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Location: Ruth Edwards Nature Center

• Ages: 4–8

• Description: The perfect mix of nature, glitter, and garden magic! We’ll spend the week crafting sparkly butterfly wings and building cozy bee cottages.