Public Programs

As part of Crowder Park's environmental education agenda, the park offers a number of scheduled programs open to the public. These programs cover a wide range of topics and take place in an outdoor setting. Many are designed to introduce young children to the natural world around them, but others are appropriate for adults or families with older children. Please contact us if you have any questions about a particular program.

Preregistration is required, to assist us in planning our programs. You may preregister in person at the park office, by calling 919-662-2850, or by e-mail: crowderdistrictpark@co.wake.nc.us. Payment must be received within one week of registration.

Kids' Programs

Nature Watchers

Preschool children with accompanying adult(s) discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature activities, games, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Register early for this popular children’s nature series. Meet at the Park Pavilion
Age: 3-5 years
Fee: $4/child/program or all 3 programs for $10

Super Spiders
Tuesday, October 14, 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
Fall is the perfect time to spot the beautiful yellow and black garden spider. Join us as we search for this spectacular arachnid along with many others and learn what makes spiders so super. Take home a cool spider craft.

Nature’s Recyclers
Wednesday, November 12, 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
Nature has the original recycling center – nothing in nature is wasted. Learn how nature recycles as we meet some friendly decomposers such as the earthworm and millipede. Rich soil is the product we get from all their hard work.

Getting Ready for Winter
Tuesday, December 9; 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10; 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
We bundle up and turn on the heat. What do the animals do to get ready for winter? Listen to a story and play a game as you discover some of nature’s secrets to preparing for winter.

Nature Friends

In these programs, 5-9-year-olds will discover the natural world through hikes, hands-on nature activities, games and crafts. See general descriptions above for each class. Note the new age ranges. Meet at the Park Pavilion
Age: 5-9 years
Fee: $4/child/program or all 3 programs for $10

Super Spiders
Tuesday, October 14, 4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Nature’s Recyclers
Wednesday, November 12, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 13; 4-5 p.m.

Getting Ready for Winter
Tuesday, December 9; 4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Kids' Day Off

Looking for fun, educational activities when the kids are out of school? Bring them to Crowder! Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather with closed toe shoes and a water bottle. Ages and Fees vary with program. Program descriptions below:

Outdoor Survival Skills I
Friday, October 10, 9 a.m.-noon
Age: 6-11 years
Fee: $12/child
The outdoors can be intimidating and frightening – don’t panic if you find yourself alone – learn and practice some basic survival skills to help you feel safe until help arrives. Practice observation skills, build a shelter, start a fire, and learn “Leave no Trace” camping principles. Meet at the Heron Shelter

Outdoor Survival Skills II
Friday, October 10, 1-4 p.m.
Age: 8-11 years
Fee: $12/child
This class is for those who have taken Outdoor Survival Skills I in the morning or last year. Skills will include more advanced observation skills, gathering food and water, preparing food, and using a compass. Meet at the Heron Shelter

Lunch Option: Kids taking both outdoor survival classes are invited to bring a lunch and stay between classes. They must stay in the shelter area and talk, read or play a game. Staff will be with the kids. Lunch will be from noon-1 p.m. Kids taking only one class are welcome to bring a lunch and come early or stay late. Please let us know at registration time if you plan on staying for lunch.

Get ECO-Crafty
Monday, November 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Age: 6-12 years
Fee: $12/child
Learn to be eco-artists by making crafts from reusable and natural materials. Think about how many items we throw away that could be used to make fun and interesting things. Let's be creative and make treasures from trash! Meet at the Heron Shelter. Kids, please bring a lunch.

Nature Games
Monday, December 22, 1-4 p.m.
Age: 6-12 years
Fee: $12/child
Need to do last-minute holiday shopping? Bring your child to Crowder for an afternoon of board games and active games that teach about the natural world. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Meet at the Park Pavilion

Family Activities

Crowder at Night

(themes and dates listed below)
Age: all
Fee: $5/family or $3/person
Experience Crowder District Park after dark as we enjoy a laid-back evening in the park. Possible activities related to the theme may include a campfire, story, skit, music, night hike, game or a snack. Meet at the Heron Shelter

“Quiet Night”
Friday, October 3, 7:30-9 p.m.
Tonight’s program will highlight the sounds of the night after a story around the campfire with s’mores.

“Native Americans”
Friday, November 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
Learn about the Native American peoples who lived in North Carolina in the 1700s. Enjoy a campfire and snack while experiencing Native American storytelling.

“December Sky”
Friday, December 5, 6-7:30 p.m.
View Jupiter, Venus, The Pleiades and The Andromeda Galaxy through telescopes and binoculars. Listen to stories of the stars! Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

One Fish, Two Fish, I Fish, You Fish

Sunday, October 26, 1-4 p.m.
Age: up to 15 years
Fee: $8/child
NCSU students will be leading this program as part of a service learning class!
There’s something fishy going on at Crowder District Park. Crowder no longer allows fishing; however, this new quarterly program will give children the opportunity to fish at Crowder from the observation deck (old fishing pier). Bring your pole or borrow one of ours. Instruction and bait provided. Sign up for a fishing time slot when you arrive (12 participants per slot!). There will be games, crafts and educational exhibits going on throughout the 3-hour event as part of this day at the pond. Meet at the Heron Shelter

Adult/Teen Workshops

Fall Landscaping Workshop

Monday, October 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
(Rain date: Tuesday, October 7, 6-7:30 p.m.)
Age: 16
Fee: Free with registration
Is your landscape and lawn ready for the fall? Want to learn about steps you can take now that will help get your lawn off to a good start next spring? Come get Landscaping tips from local experts at NC State University and learn about free soil testing, irrigation, fertilizer application, rainwater harvesting (rain barrels) and controlling runoff. Register by Sunday, October 5, at 5 p.m., for a chance to win a door prize (rain barrel or cistern). Meet at the Cardinal Shelter

Stormwater Pollution and Solutions Workshop

Sunday, October 19, 1-5 p.m.
Age: 18
Fee: $5/person
Stormwater runoff is a national and local problem impacting our waterways. Experience hands-on lessons to engage students in learning about the urban water cycle and the impact of stormwater runoff on our water resources. Visit a stormwater wetland and a rain garden to learn how they capture, absorb and filter stormwater runoff. Earn hours toward your Environmental Educator's certification. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter

Bird Garden Workday

(Backyard Series – programs of interest to the backyard gardener and wildlife enthusiast)
Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m.-noon
Age: 12
Fee: free
Learn what native trees and shrubs attract birds to your yard as we spruce up the bird garden and add additional plants for the wildlife. Meet at the Park Office

Public programs are updated on a quarterly basis.
Check out the current Quarterly newsletter. For more information regarding public programs, or to sign up for the mailing list, contact the Crowder Park office at 919-662-2850.