Elgin Public Museum, Lords Park Zoo to offer free summer programs

Posted May 11, 2021 11:00 pm

Submitted by Elgin Public Museum

J.G.'s Reptile Road Show will open the "Uncaged in the Zoo" series on Saturdays, June 5 to July 24, at Lords Park Zoo. Courtesy of J.G.'s Reptile Road Show

Summer programs are back for 2021.

The Elgin Public Museum and the Friends of Lords Park Zoo will be offering free family-friendly programs at the zoo. CDC guidelines for masks and social distancing will be observed.

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Learn about ladybugs as Elgin Public Museum educators lead the first storytime "PAWS on the Porch" for the younger set on Friday, June 11. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com

"Adventures in the Zoo" is a drop-in program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, June 8 to Aug. 3, except July 13. The themes will be: "What's Bugging You" on June 8; "Broommates: How Reptiles and Amphibians Hibernate" on June 15; "Goin' Squirrelly!" on June 22; "Indigenous Tech: How Native Americans Made Tools" on June 29; "Follow That Critter: Footprints and Poop!" on July 6; "Birds of Prey" on July 20; "Know Your Dinos" on July 27; and "Rocks Rock!" on Aug. 3.

• Elgin Public Museum educators will lead the storytime "PAWS on the Porch" for the younger set from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays, June 11 to July 30, except July 2. The topics will be: ladybugs on June 11; frogs on June 18; flying squirrels on June 25; raccoons on July 9; sloths on July 16; owls on July 23; and dinosaurs on July 30.

• Get up-close and personal with live animal presentations with "Uncaged in the Zoo" on Saturdays, June 5 to July 24, except June 12 and July 3. All programs except on June 26 will be 1 to 2 p.m.

On June 5, it will be J.G.'s Reptile Road Show, followed by Deb the Frog Lady on June 19. The Chi-Town Exotics presentation will feature flying squirrels from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. June 26. Anderson Humane's Fox Valley Wildlife Center will be bringing Lance the Milk Snake and Toby the Turtle on July 10.

Scales & Tales Traveling Zoo will make a stop at the zoo on July 17. The series will conclude with Wings & Talons Raptors on July 24.

You also can stop by Tefft's Farm Zoo, which will be open June 5 to Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. weekends.

After the "Adventures in the Zoo" drop-in programs on Tuesdays this summer, stop by the new playground in Lords Park. Courtesy of Elgin Parks and Recreation Department

Bring a picnic lunch while the kids check out the new playground at Lords Park. This "Play On!" playground offers a research-based play environment, focused on active play and gathering user data. Elgin families are encouraged to bring children to explore the new play equipment, and then scan the QR code on the posted sign to provide user feedback on their experience.

The new playground in Lords Park overlooks the bison pen at Lords Park Zoo. Courtesy of Elgin Parks and Recreation Department

Located in Lords Park on Elgin's east side, the outdoor fenced areas are home to bison, elk and white tail deer. These animals can be seen all year long. Other animals may include pigs, calves, sheep, donkeys, ponies and turkeys. For information, go to www.cityofelgin.org/zoo.

For more information, contact Sharry Blazier, Elgin Public Museum Education Coordinator, at blazier_s@cityofelgin.org.

For information, visit www.facebook.com/elginpublicmuseum/ or www.facebook.com/lordsparkzoo.

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