All Nature Programs
For Adults and Kids of all Ages
Nature Center Summer Camps
Nature Camps are offered during the summer months at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center. Nature camps are a great way for your child to experience the outdoors. Camps emphasize outdoor exploration, investigation and discovery in small groups (up to 12), with two adult leaders. Activities include hands-on games, crafts, experiments, hikes, stories and more. Camps are held Monday through Thursday and are offered for specific age groups which include 5-6 year olds, 7-8 year olds and 9-10 year olds. Registration begins with the Spring Program Brochure.
Free Nature Discovery Days
These FREE, indoor self-guided activities are designed for families with children aged 4-10 and are offered during the winter and summer months. Activities include hands-on exploration, games, crafts and more. No registration required. Drop in anytime during our open hours. At least one adult must attend per family. Check our current winter or summer program guide (Special Events section) for themes, dates and hours.
Take a Nature Hike
We offer FREE nature hikes for adults and families. Registration required. See more information below.
Adult Nature Programs
From classes on gardening and landscaping to wildflower walks, Hikes with a Naturalist and Forest Therapy Walks, adult nature programs offer more in depth information about a wide range of nature themes, topics of concern and sustainable practices. Many of these programs are offered for free. Collaborative programs with environmentally-based organizations, like The Conservation Foundation, provide expert information and advice. Check each quarterly program guide for class listings (Nature/Adults section).
To schedule a free group tour (minimum of 10), that will highlight the sustainable features of the center, contact the Nature Center Manager at aharshman@napervilleparks.org.
Family Nature Programs
Our autumn Family Campout allows families to try out camping and experience Knoch Knolls Park at night. Family hikes are offered four times a year. Free Nature Discovery Days drop-in programs are offered during the winter (Nov, Jan, Feb, March) and for two weeks each summer (August). Differently themed take-home Nature Discovery Kits are available for purchase each season. Check each quarterly guide for program listings (Nature/Youth section). See additional information for our Nature Discovery Kits below.
Mobile Tours
The Park District now offers six mobile tours - four at Knoch Knolls Park and two at Sindt Woods, part of Riverwalk Park. These tours are free and available anytime our parks are open (sunrise to one hour after sunset). Using your smartphone you can take a leisurely walk along the trails and learn more about nature. Each location offers a Scavenger Hunt for families. Our latest tour is a guided hike to the confluence, where the two branches of the DuPage River meet.
Nature Discovery Kits
Our take-home themed Nature Discovery Kits became available in 2021. Designed for families, homeschool groups, and scouts, these activity kits feature a new theme each season and can be conducted at home or at school. Most kits include an information sheet, coloring sheets and/or scavenger hunts, crafts, a game and more for families with up to four children. Other kits are more craft based with several crafts included per child. Check each season's program guide (Nature/Youth section) for themes and available dates.
School Classroom Visits
Introduce your preschool students to one of our live animals! Designed for ages 3-5 and up to 15 students, our Preschool Nature Programs comes to your classroom and includes a unique storybook, songs, role playing, puppets and other realistic toys plus a live animal (turtle, salamander or snake). Available November through March.
School Field Trips (PreK-5)
Visit us in the spring or fall with your students! Offered for preschool through 5th grade, a field trip to Knoch Knolls Park and the nature center includes naturalist led hikes, hands-on activities, playtime for younger students and more. Preschool and homeschool programs are 1 hour in length, for up to 20 children/adults and are priced per group. Kindergarten through 5th grade programs run 1.5 to 2 hours in length, are based on NGSS and are priced per student. Teachers and chaperones are free.
Self-Guided Group Visits
Self-guided groups are welcome to visit for free. Please let us know when you are planning to visit by calling 630-864-3965 and please keep the number of students inside the indoor exhibit area to 25 students or less at one time.
Scout Badge Programs
Designed for cub and girl scout groups to earn their badges, our nature-based programs cover topics for Lion Cubs through Arrow of Light and Daisies through Juniors. (Our Cub Scout badges are currently being updated and information will be available in early 2025). For the girl scout badge program brochure, and a program request form, click Learn More below.
Special Events
The nature center hosts free onsite special events throughout the year. In July the nature center partners with the DuPage Children's Museum, the Naperville Public Library and the Naper Settlement to host an onsite Naperville Plays day, in the winter/early spring (Jan, Feb, March, Nov) and the month of August we offer Nature Discovery Days programs and in October we host our annual Creepy Critters Month. Offsite special events include the Annual Shred Event at Centennial Beach parking lot in April, Earth Day/Week events in April and May, and the annual Pumpkin Smash each year after Halloween at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots. Check our current program guide (Special Events section) for specific event dates and times.
Youth Nature Programs
Our popular Nature Playtimes are designed for children ages 18 months through 3 years old to explore nature along with a parent or guardian each spring and fall. These themed multi-session programs are facilitated by a naturalist. Also, every spring/earlysummer "How to Fish" programs are offered for children ages 5-11 with an adult. All fishing supplies are provided along with instructions and a chance to catch and release fish from our pond. Check our spring, summer or fall Program Guide (Nature/Youth section) for details.
