​For a printout of Crowder District Park's upcoming programs and events, please refer to our quarterly program bulletins below.
 
CDP Jan-Mar 2014 wide awake FINAL.pdfJanuary–March 2014 Program Bulletin
 
CDP April-June 2014 wide awake FINAL with reg form.pdfApril–June 2014 Program Bulletin 
 
The following programs are offered at Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten Ten Road, Apex. To register, complete and sign the registration form and return it with payment (made out to Wake County Parks) by mail or bring by the park office.
 
Payment and registration form must be received to confirm your spot in the programs.  Please note that all payments must be made using cash, check or money order – park staff do not have the ability to take credit cards.
 
For more information about the following programs, contact the park at 919-662-2850 or email crowderdistrictpark@wakegov.com.
 

Walipog with Marc Mahan 2013.jpgSpecial Events

For all ages: fee: FREE! Preregistration is not required.
 
15th Annual Frog Fest Event
Saturday, April 5, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
 
Hop on down to Crowder District Park on April 5 to participate in some froggy family fun at this year's Frog Fest!
 
Learn about frogs and the clean water we all need. Enjoy crafts, games, live music and tasty food from local food trucks. Meet and greet with live frogs and reptiles.
  

Family Features

For all ages; fee: $5/family. Preregistration is required.
 
 
Earth Day Extravaganza
Sunday, April 13, 2–3 p.m.
Did you know the tin foil that wraps Hershey Kisses is made from recycled aluminum foil? Celebrate Earth Day early this year while learning fun facts and tips on recycling and how you can reduce waste! Build a trash pizza, make paper and take the Earth Day pledge! Make an eco-craft to take home.
 

Tea-riffic Moms!
Sunday, May 11, 2–3 p.m.
We are having an afternoon tea party to celebrate Mother's Day! Snack on lemonade and cookies and learn which animals make the best moms. Play outdoor games as a family and make a fun craft for your favorite mom.
 
 
Let's Talk Turtles
Sunday, June 15, 2–3 p.m.
Crowder is home to many different types of turtles. Discover the turtles that live here and examine the special adaptations they have in order to survive. Walk down to the pond to play turtle bingo and then meet some of our fascinating turtle residents up close.
 

Family Pond Studies

Meet on the pond boardwalk for a fun and educational study of life in Crowder Pond! Drop-in wayside program. For all ages; FREE! Preregistration is not required.
 
Funny Fish
Saturday, April 12, 1–3 p.m.
Meet park staff on the boardwalk for this free drop-in program to learn the parts of a fish and their adaptations, then make a fun fish craft.
 
 
Turtle Talk
Sunday, May 18, 1–3 p.m.
Meet park staff on the boardwalk for this free drop-in program to learn about the turtles that live at the pond. Touch shells and eggs and discover how you can help turtles survive.
 
 
Duck, Duck, Goose!
Sunday, June 8, 1–3 p.m.
Meet park staff on the boardwalk for this free drop-in program to learn about which waterfowl live at the pond year round and discover why it's a suitable habitat for them, then make a fun craft!
 

Crowder by Night

For all ages; fee: $5/Family or $3/Person. Preregistration is required.

Spring Has Sprung
Friday, March 28, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Shake off the winter blues and welcome the spring season! Join us as we spot the early signs of spring, from songs to smells. Go on a sensory hike around the pond and then make a toad abode for the spring peepers around your home!
 
 
Night-time Explorers
Friday, April 25, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
The park comes alive after dark! Let the moon (and our park naturalist) guide your way as we walk down our new nature path in search of these night-time critters. Play fun games and try to catch some nocturnal bugs. Don't forget a flashlight to spot the spiders!
 
 
Fantastic Frogs
Friday, May 30, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Rribbit! Listen to the chorus of frogs and toads as the sun sets at Crowder District Park. Sort through frog and toad fun facts, play froggy bingo and make a herp hotel! Then walk down to the pond and hear our amphibian friends in action.
 
Summer Fun
Friday, June 27, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Join us for a night of family fun at the park! Play nature games, observe nocturnal animals and roast s'mores around the campfire.
 

Nature Families

A weekday program that is fun for the whole family! For all ages; fee: $5/family. Preregistration required.
 
Super Senses
Tuesday, April 8, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know crickets can hear using their feet or that a rabbit's tongue has 17,000 taste buds! Discover fun facts about your 5 senses through hands on activities and a nature walk.  Explore prickly versus tickle-y objects, take the taste bud test and make a smelly craft.
 
 
Beetle Mania
Tuesday, May 6, 11 a.m.–noon
One in every four animals on Earth is a beetle. Beetles are everywhere! Learn the life cycle of beetles and compare and contrast them to different insects. Go on a bug hunt to discover beetles and use a magnifying glass to look at them up close. Make a beetle craft to take home.
 
 
Ant Antics
Tuesday, June 3, 11 a.m.–noon
Ants can lift and carry more than three times their weight! Hunt for ants in the garden and observe them in action, then play a fun game to discover how they build their colony. Wrap up the day with a fun snack of "ants on a log."
   

Tiny Tots – New Preschool Series!

For ages 18 months to 3 years with an accompanying adult; fee: $2/child. Preregistration is required.
 
Colors in Nature
Monday, June 2, 10:30–11 a.m.
Join us for our new program, Tiny Tots! This 30-minute class is for toddlers age 18 months to 3 years old. Practice your colors by sorting natural objects in found in the park! Then go on a nature hunt to find plants and animals of different colors!
 

Nature Watchers

Preschool children with accompanying adult(s) discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature activities, games, crafts and guided outdoor exploration. Meet at the Park Pavilion. For ages 3–5 with an accompanying adult. Fee: $4 for each program or 3 programs for $10. Preregistration is required.
 
Hear Here
Wednesday, April 9, 1–2 p.m.
Do you hear that? Discover the sounds of nature at the park through games and hands on activities. Read the listening walk and go on a scavenger hunt using just your ears, then make a turtle tambourine! 
 

Billions of Beetles
Wednesday, May 7, 1–2 p.m.
Beetles are one of the coolest groups of insects on Earth. They are known as living jewels because of their shiny colors. Listen to "The Very Clumsy Click" beetle story and make your own flipping beetle. Go on a bug hunt to find beetles and bugs.
 
 
Amazing Ants
Wednesday, June 4, 1–2 p.m.
Ants are amazing creatures and they are always on the go. Learn the parts of an ant using play dough and create an "ant restaurant" to discover their favorite foods, then go on an ant hunt to look at them under a magnifying glass! Make a fun craft to take home.
 
In these programs, kids will discover the natural world through hikes, hands-on nature activities, outdoor exploration, games and crafts. Meet at the Park Pavilion. For ages 6–9. Fee: $4 for each program or 3 programs for $10. Preregistration is required.
 
The Nose Knows
Wednesday, April 9, 11 a.m.–noon
Sweet, Sour and Stinky. Explore your nose and your sense of smell! Join us as we quiz our noses on the different smells of nature around the park. Match similar smells in a fun memory game, learn facts about animal noses and make a smelly craft.
 
 

Ladybeetles and Bugs
Wednesday, May 7, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know ladybugs smell with their feet and antennae? Learn the parts of a beetle and make a ladybug racer to discover how these tiny bugs stay in flight. Go on a bug hunt to try and spot these critters munching on their favorite leaves.
 
 
Ants in Action
Wednesday, June 4, 11 a.m.–noon
Every ant has a job to do to keep the nest running. Learn the jobs of the colony then observe ants in action. Discover the life cycle of an ant and the unique adaptations that help these tiny insects survive.
 

Kids Get Crafty!

Offered once per quarter; for all ages; fee: $4/child. Preregistration is required.
 
Festive Flowers
Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.–noon
The flowers are in full bloom at the park. Join us for a program bursting with color! Create flowers using recyclable materials and make a flower press using a real flower, then paint a flower pot to grow a plant in at home!
 

Track Out Days

Join us for one, two or all three days. Children in Grades K–5 will participate in curriculum-correlated activities, both together and by grade level. This program is great for year-round students and for homeschool students who want to learn science in a hands-on setting. Preregistration is required.
 
Habitat Helpers
Tuesday–Thursday, April 29–May 1, 1–4 p.m.
People can either help or hurt a habitat. Join us this week and learn how to keep nature green and clean. Unearth decomposers and make a compost bin. Make paper and learn the important role trees play in our communities. Then participate in hands-on science experiments to learn about pollution and the dangers facing wildlife today. This program is great for year-round students on Track 3 and for homeschool students who want to learn science in a hands-on setting.
 
 

Aquatic Adventures
Tuesday–Thursday, May 13–15, 1–4 p.m.
Experience hands-on, outdoor science and learn about all about water. This program is great for year-round students on Track 2 and for homeschool students who want to learn science in a hands-on setting.
 
 
 
Please check out the Track Out programs that are also offered at Historic Yates Mill County Park!

Summer Camps for Kids

Crowder's camps offer your child hands-on history and nature activities, including visits with live animals, hikes, crafts, games and more. Each day offers a different theme. There will be two adult staff with the kids at all times. Kids bring their own snacks. Preregistration is required. Camp size is limited, so sign up early!
 
Polliwogs: Trees
June 24–26, 9 a.m.–noon
Drop-off program for ages 4–5; fee: $36/child (Track 1, traditional and homeschool)
Big and tall, short and small, trees come in all shapes and sizes. You will be so amazed at what trees do for our Earth! Discover the parts of the tree and go on a scavenger hunt. Then help us plant a flower to help feed the butterflies and bees of the park!

Polliwogs: Water
July 22–24, 9 a.m.–noon
Drop-off program for ages 4–5; fee: $36/child (Track 4, traditional and homeschool)
Where does our water come from and why is it important? Learn about the water cycle, and explore the critters that live in and around the pond. Prepare to get wet as we splash around and learn about this important resource!

Polliwogs: Animals
August 12–14, 9 a.m.–noon
Drop-off program for ages 4–5; fee: $36/child (Track 3, traditional and homeschool)
Join us this week as we explore the animals that live in the park. Collect bugs, slugs and other slimy critters and learn about their habitat. Then meet "Popcorn," our corn snake, and other reptiles.
 
 

Discovery Boxes

Discovery boxes are packaged lesson plans, intended for use by teachers or parents who wish to educate a group of children without requesting a program through the office. These boxes are available at the office and must be signed out for use. Discovery boxes are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Discovery boxes are a great way to explore the park in a new and exciting way!
 
Identification
  1. Bird Behavior Bingo Box
    Students will learn to identify different bird behaviors and how they help the bird stay safe, find food, locate a mate and stay healthy.
    Number of Participants: 1–11. Recommended Age: 4–12.

  2. Bird ID Bingo Box
    Students will learn to identify different birds that are seen at the park. Individuals will practice their observation skills.
    Number of Participants: 1–11. Recommended Age: 4–12.

  3. ABC Hike
    Students will find items on a nature walk. Individuals will develop observational skills, identify plants and animals and practice the alphabet.
    Number of Participants: 1–28. Recommended Age: 4–8+.

  4. Pondgo
    Students will find items located around the pond area. Individuals will develop observational skills and identify plants and animals.
    Number of Participants: 1–25. Recommended Age: 4–8+.

  5. Crowder’s Critters
    Students will familiarize themselves with animals native to the NC Piedmont. Students will practice their question-asking skills.
    Number of Participants: 2+. Recommended Age: 8+.

Predator/Prey Relationships
  1. Birds and Worms
    Students will simulate how predators use their vision to locate prey. Individuals will describe some of the various ways animals use camouflage for survival.
    Number of Participants: 4+. Recommended Age: 5+.

  2. Fox Hunt
    Students will develop an understanding of carrying capacity as they act as predatory animals in a finite area hunting for food to stay alive.
    Number of Participants: 4+. Recommended Age:  8+.

Senses
  1. The Nose Knows
    Students will learn about the sense of smell and how animals use it to communicate, identify each other and mark their territory.
    Number of Participants: 2–24. Recommended Age: 4+.

  2. Hear Here
    Students will learn about the many ways that animals use sound. Students will learn to distinguish between and match sounds that they create in a group setting.
    Number of Participants: 4–32. Recommended Age: 4–12+.

Other
  1. Little Sprout
    Students will learn about the parts of a seed and their functions.
    Number of Participants: 1+. Recommended Age: 4–12+.