Katelyn Kutzner
Meet your volunteer leader Kate!
After living on a rural farm all my life, moving to Kelowna for university was a big change. I began volunteering with NatureKids to get outside and into nature more, and because I love having fun! I have a degree in Biology and Secondary Education. However, I don’t want to teach in a school where I am indoors all day. I currently work at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre as the Assistant Education Coordinator, but I hope to one day open a science center here in Kelowna.
Presently seeking additional volunteer co-leader. Click here for more information.
February 5th
Snowshoeing
Nordic Center
10AM-1PM
Please RSVP by email!
Snowshoes can be rented from Sports Rent in Kelowna for a very affordable price, and they have lots of kids’ sizes. There are other locations in Kelowna to rent from as well. Bring a friend or two! Guest passes are available to print from our club website and you can bring as many as you want. www.ynckelowna.weebly.com
PAST EXPLORER DAYS
Tracks and Trails
1-3PMWhere: Winfield Habitat Preserve, Bottom Wood Lake Rd
What to Bring: Warm clothes, water/snack if desired, camera
We will be exploring the park, searching and identifying tracks of animals and people. We will learn how to tell an animal’s direction, speed, and species from its prints. Then we will make a bunch of tracks of our own!
December 11th [Cancelled; Sorry!]
Christmas is all about TREES!
EECO Center, Mission Creek Park
1-3PM
This year’s holiday crafts will be all about TREES. We will look at the parts of a tree, what makes a plant a tree, and what trees do in nature. We will be making degradable, nature-friendly ornaments for you to decorate a tree in your back yard or neighborhood.
There will also be a snack potluck with nibble and cookies to share around, and hot chocolate too!
November 20th
At-Nature-Creative!
Munson Pond Park
1-3PM
We will be exploring the park and collecting materials to create “flat sculptures” of animals and people. We will then give them speech bubbles and photograph them to put up on our website and Facebook for everyone to see!
October 16th
Hike and Swim?
Kalamoir Regional Park
1-3PM
Let’s hike up the hills at this lakeside park and, if the weather is warm enough, go for a dip/wade afterwards! Bring good shoes for the walk, and a bathing suit/towel just in case.
September 24-25
NatureKids Go Underground!
Camp Arbuckle, Winfield
Our annual camping trip, this year combined with the North Okanagan NatureKids Club! Out theme is “Underground Mysteries” and we will learn about all things below the surface of the earth: burrowing animals, roots and fungi, and soil bacteria!
Camp Silver Lake has indoor, shared cabins that house 12-13 people each, and a kitchen facility. There are showers, and toilets. We are also able to use their basetball court, indoor classroom, and canoes!
August 14th
August 21st (#2)
Hiking Trip
Bear Creek Park, West Kelowna
10AM-12PM
A simple, fun hiking trip for you to enjoy. We will go earlier in the day to avoid the heat.
Bring your binoculars and magnifying glasses so we can look at all the interesting things we may see on the trail.
July 24th
July 10th
1 – 3PM
June 5th
1-3pm
May 8th
April 17th
February 21st, 2016
Nordic Center (just past Big White on Hwy 33)
Microscopic Mysteries
1-3 PM
Location: EECO in Mission Creek Park
We will use a microscope to explore very tiny things. We’ll talk about what makes us sick, as well as helpful bacteria. Parasites, viruses, germs and more!
We will also look at some pond water under the microscope to see if we can spot anything alive.
Snowy Walk in the Park
This park is small, but the trails follow along Mill Creek. The entrance road is next to the Shaw building, behind Home Depot. It may be very cold, so please dress warmly. If it is extremely cold we will not stay out for the full two hours.
December 6th, 1-3 PM
Sunday November 15th
Please RSVP
We will learn about the importance of nuts and seeds to our local ecosystems. Pat Westheuser will be facilitating the walk. Please wear warm clothes appropriate for the weather
October 25th
September 19-20th
NatureKids Get Bugged Out!
Camp Arbuckle, Carrs Landing Rd
This overnight adventure will be all about BUGS!
What is the difference between insects and bugs? Why do spiders have more legs? What are antennae for? How do butterflies make cocoons?
All these questions and more will be explored through a combination of games, crafts, activities and discussions.
We are also right on the lake so bring a swimsuit! This event has a small cost to participate; $20 per person covers accommodations and three meals.
Natural Sculpture Art
Kaloya Regional Park, 1-3 PM
We will explore the park, looking for interesting shapes in natural materials. Whether is driftwood from the lake or a rock on the path, natural objects can have beautiful shapes in them, In the gazebo we will use these materials to create unique sculptures. Possibly lead by local sculpture artist as well as myself. This event will also be in partnership with Get to Know, so participants are encouraged to take photos of their sculptures to submit to the art contest. There are some fantastic prizes to be won!