Programs and Activities, August 6-9 (Monroe Lake: Paynetown SRA)

In addition to the programs and activities listed below, the Paynetown Activity Center is open Thursday-Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Drop by to make a different craft each day, view our live snakes, check out the wall exhibits and taxidermy collection, the reference library, spend time at the puzzle table, or play in the kids' corner - or ask a question of the park naturalist.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Nature Journals from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Paynetown SRA, Campground Playground
DROP BY to craft a simple nature journal, get tips on how to use one, and complete your first entry.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Snake Chat from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Paynetown SRA, Activity Center
DROP BY to meet and touch one of our live education snakes and get your questions about snakes answered!
Cerulean Warbler Origami at 2:45 p.m.
Paynetown SRA, Activity Center: Shelter
ARRIVE ON TIME! A beautiful sky-blue bird hops from branch to branch in the canopy, but it’s not a bluebird… it’s a Cerulean Warbler! These birds are in Indiana for the summer but will head down to South America this fall. Will you be lucky enough to see or hear one around the lake? The naturalist will teach you how to recognize them by both sight and sound – and then guide you step-by-step as you fold an origami version of this gorgeous songbird! *Recommended for adults and children ages 12+* 45 minutes
All About Lichen from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Watch for a naturalist roving the CAMPGROUND to learn about an air quality detector that is right in your backyard – lichen! Explore the biology of this (honestly, pretty weird) organism and discover how their role in the ecosystem.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Flashing Fireflies from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Paynetown SRA, Campground Playground
DROP BY to explore how nature’s nightlights, fireflies, are impacted by excessive human nightlights (i.e. “light pollution”) and make a paper firefly suncatcher.
Swans: Sweet or Sus? from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Paynetown SRA, Activity Center: Patio
DROP BY to learn how to recognize the difference between native swans and the invasive Mute Swan – and craft your own swan to help you remember.
Pretty Important Pollinators from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Paynetown SRA, Campground Playground
DROP BY to learn how insects pollinate flowers, discover why pollination is so important, and make your own set of insect and flower stick puppets!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
Nature Wreaths from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Paynetown SRA, Campground Playground
DROP BY to craft a miniature wreath out of natural materials, using cardboard as a base, that you can hang on your bedroom door at home to remember your trip to the lake.