Forest Bathing Ages 18+ Tuesday, December 5, 3-4:30 p.m. Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area, Cary Fee: R $20 / NR $25 Code: 8892 Join certi昀椀ed Forest Therapy Guide Jennifer Boudart on a guided walk through Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area. During this program, you will learn about forest bathing and the Fel-Pro site itself before concluding with tea and water. Welcome Winter Solstice Ages 6+ Thursday, December 21, 2-4 p.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: Free Code: 8909 Welcome winter with traditional indigenous music, dancers, and family-friendly arts and crafts, as well as Candlelight Ski/Hikes All Ages story-telling by Gina Roxas, Executive Director for the Trickster Cultural Center, ethnobotanist, and citizen of Friday and Saturday evenings from 5–9 p.m. the Prairie Band Potawatomi. Learn about indigenous December 15 & 16 Harrison Benwell, Wonder Lake peoples’ connections to the winter solstice in this multi-cultural celebration. January 12 & 13 Marengo Ridge, Marengo Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided, along February 9 & 10 Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake with a camp昀椀re and warming stations on the patio! Depending on snow conditions we will hike or ski on trails lit only by Activities will move indoors in case of bad weather. candlelight! No pets please. Bring your own skis. Trails are groomed when there is 4" of snow or more. Winter Solstice Soiree All Ages Not enough snow? Leave the skis at home and enjoy a candlelight Thursday, December 21, 4-5:30 p.m. hike, a campfire and the allure of the winter woods. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Check Before You Go: Cancellations may occur if trails are icy, hazardous Fee: R $2 / NR $6 Code: 8872 or wind chill drops below -20˚. Alerts are posted at MCCDistrict. org. Experience the longest, darkest night of the year while creating new traditions! Take a 1 mile, star-lit night hike ending at a cozy camp昀椀re. Please leave 昀氀ashlights at home. We will let the stars light our way! 2024, Get Out and Explore: New Year’s Resolution All Ages Saturday, January 6, 7-8:30 a.m. Experience Evergreens! Ages 14+ Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area, Cary Friday, December 29, 1-2:30 p.m. Fee: R $2 / NR $6 Code: 8898 Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, Marengo Happy New Year! Let’s start 2024 with some time outdoors. Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 8874 We will start by heading to the Lake Shelter and toasting to 2024 Join a Certi昀椀ed Arborist on a seasonal hike to view before setting o昀昀 on a short hike around the pond or on the paved evergreens planted at Marengo Ridge by former path. We’ll 昀椀nish with some treats, cheers with sparkling grape juice landowner, Dr. Emerson Kunde. Learn more about and warm up with a 昀椀re. the history of this site while discovering what makes these evergreen species unique. Kicko昀昀 From the Kames: Out with 2023 Ages 14+ Saturday, December 30, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R $2 / NR $6 Code: 8875 Join us for a 1.5–2 mile hike as we venture to the top of the kames. We will count down to noon and symbolically release anything from 2023 that we are ready to let go. The hike will end with a small bon昀椀re and warm beverages on the patio of the Lost Valley Visitor Center. Landscapes | Winter 2023-24 Register online at MCCDistrict.org. 11