Birds of Carlyle Lake
Date:Friday, May 31 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: Carlyle Lake Birding Group
Food Vendors: Suits Me BBQ & Desserts
Available Slots: 50
Suggested Age Range: 10 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Join Roger Hayes, previous Park Ranger and current member of Carlyle Lake Birding Group, for a quiet evening amongst the birds. Birding can be a joyous and rewarding activity for any individual once given the proper tools. Learn how to properly identify bird species through visual and auditory observation.
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is available at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center along Lake Road. All participants should plan to meet park rangers at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to activity time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray is encouraged.
Say What!? There's Armadillos in Illinois?
Date:Friday, June 7 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: Gavin Boerngen
Food Vendors: Food from the Farm/Crave Shave Ice
Available Slots: 100
Suggested Age Range: 10 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Join Gavin Boerngen, aspiring naturalist, for an intriguing exploration into the unexpected migration of armadillos to Illinois! Unravel the mystery behind these armored creatures' newfound presence in the state. Don't miss this chance to uncover the fascinating story of why armadillos are making Illinois their home!
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is availalbe along Lake Road near the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center. All participants should plan to meet at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tour time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray is encouraged.
Harmony in Nature: Outdoor Yoga
Date:Friday, June 14 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: Flex & Flow Yoga
Available Slots: 25
Suggested Age Range: 10 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Unwind under the evening sky with this rejuvenating outdoor yoga class! Stretch and breathe amidst the tranquil beauty of nature. Let go of the day's stresses as you flow through gentle poses guided by Michele Kern - experienced instructor. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, this class is perfect for all levels.
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is available along Lake Road near the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center. All participants should plan to meet at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Yoga mats and bug spray are encouraged.
Our Marvelous Moon
Date:Friday, June 21 | 8 - 9:30pm
Presented by: Case-Halstead Public Library
Food Vendors: Suits Me BBQ & Desserts
Available Slots: 100
Suggested Age Range: 5 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Step into the enchanting world of our celestial neighbor with this captivating evening program all about the marvelous moon! Uncover the secrets and wonders of Earth's nearest companion. Join us under the night sky and let the magic of the moon illuminate your evening!
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is available along Lake Road near the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center. All participants should plan to meet at the Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray is encouraged.
Sunset Dam Tour
Date:Friday, June 28 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Available Slots: 50
Suggested Age Range: 5 years and up
Location: Carlyle Lake Dam, Carlyle, IL
Join U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers as they embark on a unique tour of the Carlyle Lake Dam. Unlike our regularly scheduled morning tours, this tour allows participants to experience the main dam in a new light. Learn what it took to construct Carlyle Lake, how park rangers and engineers utilize the dam, and why the reservoir is an important supporter of the surrounding communities; all while enjoying a beautiful summer sunset!
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is available in the West and East Spillway Recreation Areas. All participants should plan to meet park rangers atop the Carlyle Lake Main Dam. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tour time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. The tour route is not ADA accessible due to stairs and uneven surfaces. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended.
Outdoor Movie Night
Date:Friday, July 12 | 8 - 9:30pm
Presented by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Food Vendors: Food from the Farm/Crave Shave Ice
Available Slots: 100
Suggested Age Range: 5 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Gather your friends and family for a magical evening under the stars at our outdoor movie night! Experience the nostalgia of cinema under the forest canopy as we screen a beloved film in a cozy outdoor setting. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and settle in for a night of entertainment and fun. Don't miss this chance to create unforgettable memories and enjoy the magic of an outdoor movie night.
Participant Requirements: Registration is FREE and highly encouraged, but not essenial for this activity. Parking for participants is available at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center along Lake Road. All participants should plan to meet park rangers at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to activity time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray and blankets are encouraged.
Native American Artifacts
Date:Friday, July 19 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: Bob Hammel
Food Vendors: Suits Me BBQ & Desserts
Available Slots: 100
Suggested Age Range: 10 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Embark on a journey through Illinois's rich Native American heritage with this captivating artifact presentation. Delve into the fascinating history and culture of the indigenous peoples who once called this land home. Explore a curated collection of artifacts that offer glimpses into their daily lives, traditions, and beliefs. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about the past, this presentation promises to enlighten and inspire.
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is available at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center along Lake Road. All participants should plan to meet at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to activity time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray is encouraged.
Sunset Dam Tour
Date:Friday, July 26 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Available Slots: 50
Suggested Age Range: 5 years and up
Location: Carlyle Lake Dam, Carlyle, IL
Join U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers as they embark on a unique tour of the Carlyle Lake Dam. Unlike our regularly scheduled morning tours, this tour allows participants to experience the main dam in a new light. Learn what it took to construct Carlyle Lake, how park rangers and engineers utilize the dam, and why the reservoir is an important supporter of the surrounding communities; all while enjoying a beautiful summer sunset!
Participant Requirements: Parking for participants is available in the West and East Spillway Recreation Areas. All participants should plan to meet park rangers atop the Carlyle Lake Main Dam. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tour time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. The tour route is not ADA accessible due to stairs and uneven surfaces. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended.
Growing & Caring for Succulents
Date:Friday, August 2 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: Mioux Florist & Greenhouse
Food Vendors: Food from the Farm/Crave Shave Ice
Available Slots: 100
Suggested Age Range: 10 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Join Nick Mioux of Mioux Florist & Greenhouse for a morning of creativity and plant education. Buying a succulent is easy; keeping it alive can be a battle if not properly informed. Gain the skills necessary to successfully care for and grow succulent varieties with ease at this activity. All participants will be able to select and pot their own take-home succulent curtesy of Carlyle in Bloom.
Participant Requirements: Registration is required for this activity. Parking for participants is available at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center along Lake Road. All participants should plan to meet at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to activity time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray is encouraged.
Stargazer's Night
Date:Friday, August 16 | 8 - 9:30pm
Presented by: River Bend Astronomy Club
Food Vendors: Suits Me BBQ & Desserts
Available Slots: 100
Suggested Age Range: 10 years and up
Location: Outdoor Classroom, Carlyle, IL
Join River Bend Astronomy Club for a night under the stars! Space is a vast landscape we have discovered much about, and yet scientists still find more every day. Discover the many moving parts of our enormous solar system for yourself. Observe the Moon, fellow planets, and stars up close through a telescope. A once-in-a-lifetime experience that just might spark a new desire to learn.
Participant Requirements: Registration is FREE and highly encouraged, but not essential for this activity. Parking for participants is available at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center along Lake Road. All participants should plan to meet at the new Outdoor Classroom located directly behind the center. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to activity time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended. Bug spray and flashlights are encouraged.
Sunset Dam Tour
Date:Friday, August 23 | 7 - 8pm
Presented by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Available Slots: 50
Suggested Age Range: 5 years and up
Location: Carlyle Lake Dam, Carlyle, IL
Join U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers as they embark on a unique tour of the Carlyle Lake Dam. Unlike our regularly scheduled morning tours, this tour allows participants to experience the main dam in a new light. Learn what it took to construct Carlyle Lake, how park rangers and engineers utilize the dam, and why the reservoir is an important supporter of the surrounding communities; all while enjoying a beautiful summer sunset!
Participant Requirements: Registration is required for this activity. Parking for participants is available in the West and East Spillway Recreation Areas. All participants should plan to meet park rangers atop the Carlyle Lake Main Dam. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tour time to ensure all participants get checked in successfully. The tour route is not ADA accessible due to stairs and uneven surfaces. Closed toe shoes and water bottles are recommended.