Community Calendar

Readings from the Rookery June 4,11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 9:30 to 11 a.m. Severson Dells staff lead this fun and engaging program that introduces children and their parents to great nature books. After our story, everyone participates in outside activities that relate to the theme of the week. This program targets 5-to 9-year-olds and focuses on the importance of getting kids outside. Free event!

Join us for formal Zen sitting instruction, meditation, and discussion. Zen Sitting Group DeKalb is an ongoing activity occurring twice monthly on a variable schedule. The group is open to all persons and will be housed at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 150 N. 4th Street. Please check our Zen Sitting Group DeKalb Facebook page for the schedule and for further information. You can also email John at birdsfan53@yahoo.com or call 630/779-5962.

Join us for formal Zen sitting instruction, meditation, and discussion. Zen Sitting Group DeKalb is an ongoing activity occurring twice monthly on a variable schedule. The group is open to all persons and will be housed at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 150 N. 4th Street. Please check our Zen Sitting Group DeKalb Facebook page for the schedule and for further information. You can also email John at birdsfan53@yahoo.com or call 630/779-5962.

Join us for formal Zen sitting instruction, meditation, and discussion. Zen Sitting Group DeKalb is an ongoing activity occurring twice monthly on a variable schedule. The group is open to all persons and will be housed at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 150 N. 4th Street. Please check our Zen Sitting Group DeKalb Facebook page for the schedule and for further information. You can also email John at birdsfan53@yahoo.com or call 630/779-5962.

Conservation Crew Workdays Because invasive species pose one of the most significant threats to nature in our time, vegetation management is a crucial step in the conservation of our natural areas. And you can help! Spend an invigorating morning (or several!) as a member of the Severson Dells Conservation Crew, working alongside fellow volunteers to remove invasive species from the woods. Weather permitting, we may make a cheerful fire from the brush we cut. We work from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on the second Saturday and fourth Monday of each month. (Note that there will be no workday on July 23.) Dress in layers as appropriate for the weather and/or insects. These restoration days are doubly important because Severson Dells just received a matching grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. As a part of this grant, once we log 400 volunteer hours for restoration they will award us an additional $4,000 to put toward additional restoration projects at Severson Dells. Come out and help us reach our goal while giving back to the land. Please let Greg Rajsky know to expect you: gregr@seversondells.org or 815-335-2915.

Nature Explorers For 7-11-year-olds | 9 AM-3 PM | Camp Fee: $115/member, $145/general admission July 26-30 | Call of the Wild - From learning to make your own toys to squidging around in the mud, we are going to have a great week playing in “the wild!” We are going to “provoke” your mind as well as your body with daily “how are you going to…” challenges. Teamwork will be a large part of our week.

Canoe Convoys June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 26 Join Severson staff and volunteers for a Monday sunset paddle and experience nature from one of our canoes! We anticipate most of our paddles to be a leisurely jaunt around Pierce Lake at Rock Cut, but location will be confirmed the Friday before the paddle based on weather and other factors. Before each paddle, we offer an introductory canoeing lesson, our “Quickstart Program,” for paddlers who have not done a Canoe Convoy before. 5:20 p.m. - Quickstart Sign-In 5:45 p.m. - Regular Sign In Due to safety considerations, this program is best for participants over 70 lbs. Due to high demand for this program, please only register for two evenings. Please RSVP below. If you are interested in attending more than two, please call us at 815-335-2915 to be put on the waitlist. This year we are requiring a $10 deposit for all paddlers because of the high rate of no-shows the last couple of years. If you show up or cancel your reservation by the Friday before the paddle you will receive a full refund. Thank you for understanding. Donations help keep this program afloat and allow us to offer our program for “free” to those who may not be able to afford a trip elsewhere. You can donate your deposit to help keep this program going.

Join us for formal Zen sitting instruction, meditation, and discussion. Zen Sitting Group DeKalb is an ongoing activity occurring twice monthly on a variable schedule. The group is open to all persons and will be housed at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 150 N. 4th Street. Please check our Zen Sitting Group DeKalb Facebook page for the schedule and for further information. You can also email John at birdsfan53@yahoo.com or call 630/779-5962.

Nature Explorers For 7-11-year-olds | 9 AM-3 PM | Camp Fee: $115/member, $145/general admission July 26-30 | Call of the Wild - From learning to make your own toys to squidging around in the mud, we are going to have a great week playing in “the wild!” We are going to “provoke” your mind as well as your body with daily “how are you going to…” challenges. Teamwork will be a large part of our week.

Rockford Park District’s Aldeen Golf Club, 1902 Reid Farm Rd., Rockford, IL, invites couples to enjoy an evening of golf fun followed by dinner at Couples Nights every other Tuesday, June 22-September 28, 2021, with tee times beginning at 5 pm. These events are for ages 18 and up, and begin with nine holes of golf with fun formats for players of all skill levels; prizes will be awarded to winning groups and individuals. Finish the evening at Alchemy at Aldeen, which will feature dinner and drink specials (additional fee). The per-person/per date fees are $10 for Eagle/Birdie members, and $18 for non-members; Ace members are admitted free of charge. To sign up for any of the nights, call the Aldeen Golf Shop at 815-282-4653, ext. 2. For more information about Aldeen Golf Club, go to https://aldeengolfclub.com/. For information about support, equipment, and programs for golfers with disabilities, contact Customer Service at 815-987-8800 (call/text). Safety has been and will continue to be a top priority for the Rockford Park District. The District has worked with and followed guidelines from the CDC, IDPH, Restore Illinois, and local health officials to develop procedures and protocols to ensure a fun and safe recreational experience. Complete information is posted at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/playitsafe.