Programs require registration at least three days prior to the program date. Space is limited - don’t miss out!

Call (919) 662-2850 or email crowderdistrictpark@wakegov.com to register or for more information.

Nature Families

Great for families with children of different ages.

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

Three Cheers for Trees

Tuesday, April 7; 11 am–Noon

Trees are important in our daily lives. They not only

beautify our environment but provide homes and

food for wildlife. Learn the important role trees

play in our communities through games and

hands-on activities. Make paper and then discover the

goods we get from our woods!

Flower Fun

Tuesday, May 5; 11 am–Noon

Flowers are very important to the animals in the

park. Learn the life cycle of a plant and which

animals depend on flowers. Discover how flowers

drink water in a fun science experiment and then

paint a flower pot to take home.

Sneaky Snakes

Tuesday, June 2; 11 am–Noon

Did you know there are over 3,000 species of

snakes? Sort through facts about these reptiles in

a fun trivia game. Learn about their neat adaptations

and observe scales and snake skins using hand lenses.

Then meet "Popcorn", our park's corn snake!

April-June 2015 Programs at

Crowder District Park

Crowder By Night

Family programs that explore the park at night.

For all ages; fee: $5/Family.

Preregistration is required.

Alive After Dark Friday, April 24; 7–8 pm

The park comes alive after dark! Let the moon

guide your way as we stroll around the pond in

search of these night time critters. Play fun games

and try to catch some nocturnal animals. Don't

forget a flashlight!

Amazing Amphibians Friday, May 22; 7–8 pm

Rribbit! Listen to the chorus of frogs and toads as

the sun sets at Crowder District Park. Sort through

amazing facts about amphibians, play frog bingo and

make a froggy craft! Then walk down to the pond

and hear our amphibian friends in action.

Firefly Frenzy Friday, June 5; 8–9 pm

How many fireflies can you catch? Sign up for an

evening of summer fun as we catch and release

lightning bugs. Explore what gives them a special

glow through hands-on discovery, games and more!

Family Features

These are great programs for families who are on the go during the week, but don't want to miss out

on the park experience. For all ages; fee: $5/Family, unless otherwise noted. Preregistration is required.

Rocking Around the Park Sunday, April 19

2–3 pm

Rocks are everywhere! Come

explore the rocks of Crowder

through hands-on science.

Conduct scientific tests to

discover the hidden identity of

rocks. Learn the three types

of rocks and play the rock

cycle game.

Buzz on Bees Sunday, May 10

2–3 pm

Celebrate our #1 pollinator by

learning about the busy bees of

Crowder Park. Learn the dances

of bees and how they communicate,

discover how pollination works

and taste different types of honey.

Then plant a flower in our

container garden.

Daddy Day at the Park Sunday, June 21

2–3 pm

Hop, skip and jump over to

Crowder District Park as we

celebrate Father’s Day! Bring the

whole family out for an afternoon

of games related to nature.

Afterwards we’ll cool off

with some refreshments.

Forest Friends

Wednesday, April 8; 11 am–Noon

Big and tall, short and small, trees come in all shapes

and sizes. Learn the different parts of a tree and

which animals call trees home. "Adopt" a tree at the

park and make a leafy craft to take home.

Spring Wildflowers

Wednesday, May 6; 11 am–Noon

Springtime is here and the flowers are blooming!

Discover the many beautiful flowers at Crowder

District Park. Dissect a flower and go on a

scavenger hunt for wildflowers in the park.

Then make a flower craft to take home.

Friendly Snakes

Wednesday, June 3; 11 am–Noon

Did you know snakes do not have eyelids? Learn

all about snakes and their neat adaptations, and

explore how they move. Find out what the common

snakes are of the park and which ones are venomous.

Then meet "Popcorn", our park's corn snake!

To Be a Tree

Wednesday, April 8; 1–2 pm

Even the mightiest of oaks start out as young

seedlings! Explore seeds, cones, leaves and trees

through hand lenses and observation. Read a fun story

and make a tree costume to learn the parts of a trees.

Planting a Rainbow

Wednesday, May 6; 1–2 pm

Flowers are in full bloom at the park! Read "Planting

a Rainbow" by Lois Ehlert and learn what flowers

need to grow. Then search for colorful flowers in

the park and make a fun craft to take home.

Hide and Snake

Wednesday, June 3; 1–2 pm

Snakes are amazing animals once you get to know

them. Read a fun story and learn the life cycle of a

snake in an active game. Create a colorful "snake" to

take home and learn which snake we should stay

away from in the woods! Then meet "Popcorn",

our park's corn snake!

Nature Friends

Explore the natural world through hikes, nature

activities, outdoor exploration, games and crafts.

Meet at the Park Pavilion. For ages 6-9. Fee: $4/Child

or $10 for 3 NF programs. Preregistration is required.

continued Nature Watchers

Preschool children with accompanying adult(s)

discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature

activities, games, crafts and outdoor exploration. Meet at

the Park Pavilion. For ages 3-5. Fee: $4/Child/Program

or $10 for 3 NW programs. Preregistration is required.

Quarter Year Programs at

Crowder District Park

Colors in Nature Monday , April 6

10:30–11 am

Practice your colors by sorting

natural objects found in the park!

Then go on a nature hunt to find

plants and animals of

different colors!

Movement in Nature Monday , May 4

10:30–11 am

Work on your motor skills

through center-based activities.

Practice threading, sorting,

jumping and catching. Then play

with musical instruments.

Animals in Nature Monday , June 1

10:30–11 am

Practice your recognition skills

through sorting, matching and

more! Move like animals in

nature and find park critters

in a fun scavenger hunt.

Tiny Tots

A half-hour weekday program for children ages 18 months to 3 years old,

with an accompanying adult; fee: $2/child. Preregistration is required.

continued Programs require registration at least three days prior to the program date. Space is limited - don’t miss out!

Call (919) 662-2850 or email crowderdistrictpark@wakegov.com to register or for more information.

April-June 2015 Programs at

Crowder District Park

Kids Get Crafty

Beautiful Bugs

Saturday, May 9; 11 am–Noon

Bugs come in a variety of shapes and colors. Join

us for a full hour of crafts using insects as our

inspiration! Make a beautiful butterfly, a dazzling

dragonfly and a spider out of ordinary objects.

Come prepared to get messy and be creative.

Keep up with all of the park’s

events and happenings!

www.facebook.com/crowderpark

www.twitter.com/CrowderPark

Visit www.wakegov.com/parks/crowder

and sign up for our email list to receive

program and volunteer information!

Volunteer at the Park!

Want to do more to help out your community

park? Consider volunteering at Crowder

District Park. Call us or stop by to learn about

the exciting new ways you can lend a hand.

Call (919) 662-2850.

16th Annual Frog Fest

Saturday, April 11; 11 am–3 pm

Hop on down to Crowder District Park 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. For all ages: fee: FREE!

Exhibitors Include:

Wake County Soil and

Water Conservation District

Master Gardeners of

Wake County

Sylvan Heights Bird Center

Neuse Riverkeeper

Foundation

NC Herp Society

NC Partners in Amphibian

and Reptile Conservation

NCSU Herpetology Club

Wake County Solid Waste

Management Division

Performances By:

Victoria Lee and New

Ground Sandbox Family

Fun Band Meet Walipog, Wake

County’s water quality frog

Free off-site parking

and shuttle service

will be available at

Middle Creek

High School

123 Middle Creek

Park Avenue,

Apex, NC 27539

continued

Quarter Year Programs at

Crowder District Park

Polliwogs Summer Camp

This summer, Crowder District Park is offering three drop-off mini camps for preschoolers ages 4-5.

Camps offer your preschooler hands-on nature activities including visits with live animals, hikes, crafts, games,

and more. Each camp 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 capped at 16, so sign up early! Fee: $36/child.

TREES

Tuesday–Thursday, June 23–25; 9 am–Noon

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.

WATER

Tuesday–Thursday, July 21–23; 9 am–Noon

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!

ANIMALS

Tuesday–Thursday, August 11–13; 9 am–Noon

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.

Family Pond Studies

This free drop-in program does not require preregistration. Meet a park naturalist

on the boardwalk to study a different critter each month. For all ages.

April Showers Sunday, April 26; 1–3 pm

When it rains, water soaks the ground and flows down the street. Join park staff on the boardwalk

to learn how water travels through different environments and how each location affects

the water that we use every day.

May Flowers Sunday, May 24; 1–3 pm

Water soaks the ground and helps the plants to grow and the flowers to bloom. Join park staff on the boardwalk to discover a diversity of flower types and how flower shapes, colors and

smells attract different wildlife. Make and take home a paper flower craft!

Crowder’s Critters Saturday, June 13; 1–3 pm

Discover the critters that call the park home! Play a 20 questions game and study pelts, tracks

and skulls of park animals. Then go on a scavenger hunt to search for these animals!