Explore nature at the Deer Grove Leisure Center

Park District offers children’s story time, animal care, naturalist and nature craft programs

Bensenville, Ill.— There’s a Nature Nook in the lobby of the Deer Grove Leisure Center (DGLC), 1000 W. Wood Street, in Bensenville, and now there’s more great reasons to explore nature in and around the DGLC. That’s because the park district is offering Story Time at the Nature Nook, Behind the Scenes Animal Care, Backyard Naturalists and Naturally-Crafty Tot programs for children ages 2-5 to explore these interests.

Join the Bensenville Park District at various times and dates, Monday through Friday through November 4, for Story Time at the Nature Nook in the Deer Grove Leisure Center lobby. A naturalist will read children’s stories pertinent to nature and teach fun songs and more. See page 32 of the Fall 2022 Program Guide for days and times. The drop-in fee is $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents.

Children can also learn how the park district keeps its animal friends healthy and content as they assist with the daily tasks of an animal caretaker in Behind the Scenes Animal Care. They’ll see turtles, fish, salamanders, crickets, hermit crabs, snakes and other interesting critters as well as various interactive paw prints and pelts to explore and feel in the Nature Nook. Learn how to feed and provide water to the animals, clean the enclosures and learn about proper lighting, heating and humidity for each. There is a drop-in fee of $2 for residents ($3 for non-residents).

The park district’s Backyard Naturalists program allows children to join a naturalist to explore nature around the Deer Grove Leisure Center. Activities include playing games, hiking through Varble Park and making a project to take home. Check page 33 of the Fall 2022 Program Guide for dates and times. The drop-in fee is $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents.

Naturally Crafty Tots is the park district’s nature crafts workshop. Each class, children will use naturally-collected materials to make a beautiful project to take home. An adult must accompany their children during this program, and it is recommended children dress to get messy! More information, including dates and times, can be found on page 33 of the park district’s Fall 2022 Program Guide. The fee is just $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents.

A link to the Fall 2022 Program Guide may be found on the park district website, BvilleParks.org. Fees may be paid at the Deer Grove Leisure Center at the time the program starts.

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