Birding Team

Kids’ Nature Club

Hosted in partnership by:

Estero Llano Grande State Park & Valley Nature Center

The Kids’ Nature Club is in its third year, and is meant to be both fun and educational. Here’s a great opportunity for kids ages 8 to 12 to have fun and explore nature! In today’s world of electronic devices and fast paced schedules, kids don’t have the opportunities to explore nature, get enough exercise while playing out side, and commune in nature with other children their ages.

Starting Saturday, November 29, 2008, the Nature Club will meet monthly on the listed Saturdays at 8:00 am at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco. This season’s last outing will be on May 2, 2009, with a fun Adios Party on May 29, followed by a camp out night. After dropping off your child we will load up with trained naturalists and head to fun nature destinations in Weslaco and beyond! Some of the destinations will include Edinburg Wetlands & World Birding Center, Bentsen State Park, South Padre Island, and even a Canoe Trip on the Rio Grande! We should be back by 12:00 noon on most adventures.

For each trip, thanks to our sponsors, your child will be loaned a backpack with binoculars, bird book, bug spray, suntan lotion, drinking water and a few snacks. We will explore for any and all creatures we can find including birds, mammals, bugs, and maybe even fish! I am sure we will find some cool lizards and tortoises, and maybe even a friendly snake or two!

The cost for the entire season will be $80 per child. There is a sign-up limit of 15 children so please do so early! Call to sign up or for more information: Susan Hoehne at Valley Nature Center - (956) 969-2475 or shoehne@valleynaturecenter.org

The Quick Facts:

Held on the 1st Saturday of each month. December through May.

Starts on Saturday, November 29, 2008 (This month will include an orientation for parents at the park).

Ends on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

On May 29, 2009 we will host the Nature Club Adios Party, followed by an optional (additional fee) camp out night!!!

8am to 12 noon * On most dates but some return times may vary.

8yrs to 12yrs of age.

15 children max can be registered.

Pre-registration required by dropping off payment at VNC in Weslaco.

$80 fee per child paid in advance.

Children are dropped off each week at 8am at Estero. We leave promptly!

We will use TX Parks & Wildlife van for transportation.

We will loan each child a back-pack each Saturday with birding equipment.
A schedule will be given each parent on a calendar.

Field trips for the 2008-2009 Season:

November 29, 2008: Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, TX
We meet her for an orientation for parents, and then a nature walk to search for birds and alligators! Parents are welcomed to stay or leave after orientation.

January 10, 2009: Edinburg Wetlands and World Birding Center, Edinburg, TX
We meet her for an orientation for parents, and then a nature walk to search for birds and alligators! Parents are welcomed to stay or leave after orientation.
February 7, 2009: Valley Nature Center & Frontera Audubon, Weslaco, TX
Get a chance to hold a Mexican Milksnake! Explore for birds and butterflies, and see water creatures live in our pond water!
March 7, 2009: Bentsen State Park, Mission, TX
Come explore aboard the nature tram! Javelinas, birds, and a tall hawk watch tower!
April 4, 2009: Canoe Trip on the Rio Grande, at Santa Ana NWR, Alamo, TX
The most awesome experience! It is a safe 2 hour canoe ride down river, exploring the river as you have never seen it! Some parents allowed as chaperones as space permits.
May 2, 2009: South Padre Island, SPI, TX
Nature Board Walk, Sea Turtle Rescue, Sea Life Center and more! Parents are invited to tag along! This will be a longer trip not returning until at least 3:00pm.
May 29, 2009: 6:30 pm - Nature Club Adios Party, Estero Llano Grande State Park
Have a hamburger, some cookies, and drinks on the deck! Enjoy a cool slide show with photos galore from this year’s explorations! Following is the camp out!
May 29 – 30, 2009: Camp-Out Night Estero Llano Grande State Park
Optional with additional fee. Join your child for a night of outdoors tent camping, fun around the campfire, night hike, and more at Estero Llano Grande as a close to this season! Saturday, May 29 at the close of the party till morning of the 30th. We furnish the tents! Please call Jennifer Owen at 956-565-3919 or Jennifer.Owen@tpwd.state.tx.us for more info and to register for the Camp Out.