Special Events &
Programs for 2012 at Backus Heritage Conservation Area
Have you ever hooted with
the owls; unraveled a murder mystery; imagined the life of pioneer settler;
experienced the War of 1812; planted trees; hiked through a Carolinian forest
or had a blast at summer day camp? These
experiences and more are waiting for you and your family at Backus Heritage
Conservation Area. Visit Backus Heritage
Conservation Area and create some great family memories.
Call the conservation area
at 519-586-2201 for more information on the line-up of special events.
2012 Special Events
WINTER TREES
February
18, 1:00 pm
Learn how
to identify trees by using the three “B’s” – buds, bark
and branches. The indoor presentation is
followed by a guided walk to fine tune your identification skills. This popular program is presented in partnership
with the Norfolk Field Naturalists. Admission by donation.
Meet at the Conservation Education Centre.
AMAZING
AMPHIBIANS
April 14,
6:30 pm
This
"ribbiting" adventure starts inside the
Conservation Education Centre, with tips to help you identify local frogs,
toads and salamanders. Then it’s outside
to look and listen for these cold-blooded songsters. Bring rubber boots and a
flashlight. A
partnership event with the Norfolk Field Naturalists. Admission is $2.00/person.
CELEBRATING EARTH DAY
April
21, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Join
us for an afternoon of family-friendly activities with an environmental
theme. Take part in a pond study, watch
bird banding demonstrations, enjoy guided nature walks
and more hands-on activities. Event is presented in partnership
with
MOTHER’S DAY
WILDFLOWER WALK
May
13, 2:00 pm
Celebrate
Mom’s special day with a guided nature walk in Backus Woods. View the variety of wildflowers blooming and
learn some tips to help identify these spring ephemerals. This popular woodland walk starts from the
Conservation Education Centre. A partnership event with the Norfolk Field Naturalists. Admission is $2.00 per person.
FISHING
June 30,
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Be sure not
to miss this popular family fishing event.
Drop a line in the mill pond and catch the “Big One” for a
chance to win great prizes. Regular
park admission plus derby entry fee required.
The Backus Fishing Derby is a great way to start
OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM FESTIVAL
July 1,
1:00 – 4:00 pm
The 2012
BUTTERFLY & DRAGONFLY FESTIVAL
July 8,
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Enjoy
butterfly and dragonfly identification hikes, pond studies, a nature craft,
“Spread Your Wings” parade and more outdoor fun. A partnership event with Nature’s Calling! Call 519-512-0240
for program details.
PIONEER LIFE DAY
July 14,
12:00 – 4:00 pm
What was it
really like to live and work in the 19th century? Spend a day in the
ANTIQUE MARKET
July 22,
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Browse or
buy that something special during this outdoor antique sale. A number of
vendors will be set up throughout the
INSECT SAFARI
August 4,
1:00 – 3:00 pm (kid’s insect craft at 1:00 pm)
Explore the
rich diversity of life in the field and forest during a naturalist led
adventure. We’ll search for those
six-legged creatures that lurk under logs and in branches during this hands-on
adventure and see just how beautiful bugs can be! Meet at the Conservation
Education Centre.
HERITAGE HOEDOWN
August 4,
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Enjoy a
toe-tapping, hand clapping evening of music and dance in the historic Forbes
Barn. Admission to the barn dance is
$2.00/person. Music performed by the
Norfolk Old Tyme Music Association.
MURDER MYSTERY
August 11,
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Calling all
detectives! Enjoy this interactive
“whodunit” set within the
August 25,
12:00 – 8:00 pm (open jam)
August 26,
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (gospel)
August 26,
12:00 – 2:00 pm (open jam)
Join us for
a good old-fashioned jamboree. More than
100 musicians will perform in various jamming areas throughout the
WAR OF 1812 RE-ENACTMENT
September 8
& 9, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Hundreds of
soldiers and settlers set up camp in the
OWL PROWL
September
15, 7:30 pm (kid’s owl craft at 7:00 pm)
Owls are
amazing birds! Meet in the Conservation
Education Centre to learn some fascinating facts about owls before a guided
walk in Backus Woods to look for and call owls. Bring your flashlights and
dress for the weather. Admission is
$2.00/child; $4.00/adult; $10.00/family.
September
16, 2:00 pm
Join us for
the annual dedication of trees planted in memory of loved ones and
friends. The
FALL HIKE IN BACKUS WOODS
October 13,
11:00 am
Celebrate
the International Year of Forests with us.
Enjoy a fall hike to discover the types of trees commonly found here and
how they are important for the animals that call the forest their home. Guided hike departs from the Conservation
Education Centre. Admission
by donation.
2012 Camps for Kids
Does your
child dream of becoming a member of the NSI (nature scenes investigation) team
or a time traveler? This summer,
children ages 6 to 12 can have the ultimate summer adventure when they explore
nature or become a pioneer during either Nature or Heritage Day Camp. The camps include daily themes, nature hikes,
environmental games, 1880’s activities like weaving and candle making,
crafts, exploring the pond plus time for swimming. Pre-registration is required. Daily camp fee is $32.50 per child.
Six
exciting day camps are being offered throughout the summer. Each session runs 5 days, Monday to Friday,
from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Nature Day Camp takes place the weeks
of July 9-13, July 23-27 & August 20-24.
Heritage Day Camp runs the
weeks of July 16-20, July 30 - August 3 & August 13-17. Call 519-586-2201 at least one week in
advance to register your child