Nature Packs

All Ages • Haish Gym or Hopkins Community Center

Thanks to grant funds courtesy of the Meta DeKalb Data Center, the DeKalb Park District is excited to offer a new year-round Nature Pack Program! 

Each themed nature pack has hands-on learning items for fun-filled outdoor adventures for families and individuals to enjoy in your local parks. For a refundable $100 CASH deposit or voidable personal check, you can reserve each pack for up to two weeks at select facilities. 

Nature Pack Themes: Trees; Wildflowers; Birds; or Insects 

	Check out each pack for two weeks at a time
	N/A
	Haish Gym or Hopkins Community Center
	FREE with a $100 Refundable Deposit

Hooked on Crochet

Ages 8+ • Thursdays • Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room

Get together with a crochet guild to learn this hobby. You will be given a starter kit that you can take home to continue your projects. This class will guide you on how to start projects and teach different techniques. Ages 15 and under must have an adult present. If you have your own supplies, skip the starter kit and register at a $15 discounted rate in person at the Sports and Rec Center. 

	5/29 6/26 7/24
	5:00 - 7:00 pm
	$28 R/ $35 NR per date
	Register Here

Self-Defense

Ages 13 + • Thursdays • Haish Gym, Large Gym

Calling all women that want to stay safe and learn different techniques to get out of various holds and attacks! Take this self-defense class to learn about methods of safety, what to look for in situations that might cause a woman to be on the alert, how to be prepared in case of a true incident and more. This will be a combination of demonstrations of physical moves and educational information that can help women get away from a dangerous situation.

	4/24 8/7
	6:00 - 8:00 pm
	$22 R/ $28 NR per date
	Register Here

Mechanical Cares

Ages 15 + • Saturday & Sunday • Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room

Do you know how to change your car tire if it goes flat in the middle of the country? Learn how to recognize bald tires, what to keep in your car for emergencies, how to change a tire, check fluids, locate your battery, set up jumper cables and air filter changes and more.

	6/21 -6/22
	1:00 - 3:00 pm
	$29 R/ $36 NR
	Register Here

Guided Forest Therapy Walk

Ages 16+ • Saturdays • Lions Park Shelter, 700 W. Taylor Street

Discover tranquility and renewal through a guided forest therapy walk, inspired by the practice of shinrin-yoku: bathing your senses in the atmosphere of the forest. During this gentle walk you’ll slow down, awaken your senses and reconnect with nature in a meaningful way—not for exercise or plant education, but to reduce stress, lift mood, boost immune function, improve focus, and enhance creativity, among other health benefits. Find peace in nature and join us for a restorative outdoor wellness experience.

	4/19 6/7
	9:30-11:30 am
	$22 R/$28 NR per date
	Register Here

Nature Journaling 

Ages 8+ • Thursdays • Hopkins Park

Discover nature through art, journaling, poetry and getting up-close with local plants and creatures. Each day will begin with laughter yoga to relax and focus and then we'll spend time drawing, wondering and writing about what we notice. We'll end each session with sharing and a laughter yoga cool-down. Each participant will receive a sketchbook, pencil and pen.

	7/10 - 7/31
	5:00 - 6:30 pm
	$100 R/ $125 NR
	Register Here

Intro to Kayaking

Ages 6+  •  Sunday or Tuesday  •  Rotary Park Shelter

Explore what you need to know to enjoy kayaking along the calm waters of Rotary Pond. Discuss equipment recommendations, paddling strokes and techniques, launching maneuvers, potential hazards, and rescue/safety strategies. Land and water practice occurs during each class. All equipment provided. Ages 6-15 need an adult 18+ to register.

	*6/8 7/8
	*10:00 am - 12:30 pm 5:30 - 8:00 pm
	$80 R/ $96 NR
	Register Here

CPR/AED/First Aid for the Workplace

Ages 14+ • Wednesday • Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room

Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide basic care for breathing emergencies, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on victims of sudden cardiac arrest and basic first aid. Participants that pass the course will receive a two-year certification with the American Red Cross. There is a 2-hour online component of this class that will be emailed to you that you must complete before attending the in-person class.

	8/20
	5:00-7:00 pm
	$58 R/ $73 NR
	Register Here

Puzzle Palooza Competition & Puzzle Swap

Ages 6+ • Sunday • Haish Gym, Large Gym

Teams of 2-4 individuals will race against other teams to finish the same 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. The team who is closest to finishing at the end of two hours wins! The 1st and 2nd place teams will receive a winning certificate and prize. Stick around after the competition for our puzzle swap. Puzzle Swap: Bring your own old puzzle(s) that are ready to be rehomed (please make sure all the pieces are present) and leave with a new-to-you puzzle. Please choose one person to register for the competition and enter your team's name and number of players in the special box at registration. Only two people on your team can be 18+.

	8/23
	1:00 - 3:00 pm
	$45 R/ $56 NR
	Register Here

Out & About Trips

Cubs vs. Brewers at Wrigley Field

Ages 5+ • Thursday • Meet at the Sports & Recreation Center

Come watch your Chicago Cubs take on the Wisconsin Brewers at beautiful Wrigley field in Chicago. Game time is 1:20 pm and we will stay the duration of the game. This is a joint trip with the Sycamore and Genoa Park Districts and transportation will be on a coach bus. Seats are located in 400 level infield. We will depart at 9:00 am. Registration Deadline: 6/16!

	6/19
	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
	$105 R/ $110 NR
	Register Here

Lock and Lunch at Starved Rock 

Ages 5+  •  Thursday  •  Meet at Sports & Recreation Center

Experience something new and fun aboard the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat as it passes through the Starved Rock Lock. Lunch in the Main Dining Room of the historic Starved Rock Lodge and transportation included. We will depart at 9:45 am.  Registration Deadline: 8/25!

	8/28
	9:45 am - 4:45 pm
	$128 R/ $160 NR
	Register Here

Cave of the Mounds

Ages 5+ •  Saturday •  Meet at Sports & Rec Center 

Come explore, learn about cave formations, search for stalagmites, stalactites, and become a spelunker with us at Blue Mounds, Wisconsin's "Cave of the Mounds", a 400+ million-year-old natural limestone cave. We will have a tour guide to point out key features and answer any questions. The Cave is a cool 50-degrees year-round. After our tour, explorers will have the opportunity to visit the gift shop. Registration Deadline: 8/9!

	8/30
	9:30 am - 6:00 pm
	$79 R/ $99 NR
	Register Here