Calendar of Events
These events date back quite a few years and have been removed from the original site. But thanks to those trusty archives, we have managed to put them back together so you can get a snapshot of the events as they were provided back then. Now its time to take a trip down Memory Lane...
ElectriCritters: November 12-December 18, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Main entrance is the River Bend Prothro Pavilion.
Fee: $3 per person; Children 2 and under free
This is a very special display of lighted nature and animal forms nestled among the trails of River Bend during the 2004 holiday season. Enjoy a visit to the Candy Cane Café, walk the Electric Critter trail, listen to holiday music, make s'mores by a camp fire, and listen to celebrity storytellers as they read wonderful animal and holiday stories. Hot chocolate, hot spiced cider, warm chocolate chip cookies, and popcorn are available for purchase.
A Pioneer Christmas - December 1-17, 2004
Designed for elementary school children, this educational program is conducted at our outdoor Pioneer Exhibit:
A Pioneer Story…Life on the Great Plains. The general store is decorated for the holidays and the covered wagon is the perfect place to tell a holiday story. ours and activities for children by appointment. Children make a holiday decoration and a simple candy to take home. Call the River Bend office, 767-0843, to make your reservation! Fee: $3 per student.
January, February, and March 2005
The Annual River Bend Adult Education Series begins January 2005. Program topics include:
Birding in Texas ( Feb. 11th)by Mark Kline, Texas Parks and Wildlife speaker
Myths of the Great Plains by James Estes, Phd. Interim Director of River Bend
Dragonflies and other interesting Insects by James Laswell , researcher, Texas A & M Extension Service, Stephenville, TX
Magic, Mayhem, and Murder (plants, poisons, and medical mayhem) by Scott Williamson, MD.
For more information regarding the Adult Education Series, please contact the River Bend Nature Center office, 767-0843, for detailed information.
Winter Bird Eggspress - Begins January 2005 (pre-k - 2nd grade)
This is part of the outreach program for the nature center. River Bend naturalists will present, in the school classroom, information about the characteristics and behaviors of birds of North Texas. Children can view nine real birds' nest with eggs, bird feathers, and color photos of native song birds. Each child will make and take home a pine cone bird feeder.
Presentations are 30 minutes for pre-k and kindergarten; 45 minutes for 1st and 2nd grade. The cost is $35.00 per presentation for up to 25 students
New birthday party theme offered on site "Dino-Dig" ages 4 and up
Traveling Birthday Parties
A River Bend birthday party can be brought to your home this winter.
Themes for these very special nature birthday parties include:
"Dino-Dig", "Worms in the Garden", "For the Birds", "Getting Buggy", and Gems and Minerals(age 5+)
Cost is $6 per child and includes a goody bag with nature toys. Allow 1 hour for the program brought to you by a staff member of the nature center.
The programs are appropriate for children ages 4 - 11.
Love of Nature Photography Exhibition and Competition
February 11 - 28th, 2005
Sponsored by River Bend Nature Center and hosted by the Kemp Center for the Arts
Entry information:
- The photo subject matter must have a nature theme, and be appropriate for public display.
- Entries must be framed with or without matting and the image must not exceed 16" x 20".
- Bring entries to the Kemp Center for the Arts, 1300 Lamar Street, Wednesday, February 9 between 9 am and 5 pm. To register in advance, bring entries to River Bend Nature Center (adjacent to the main entrance of Lucy Park) before February 9, 2005.
- Entry fees for ADULTS are $7 per photo or 3 photos for $20 (nonmember rate) or $6 per photo or 3 for $15 (RBNC members).
- Entry fees for YOUTH (18 and under) are $3 per photo or 3 photos for $8 (nonmembers) or no charge for RBNC members.
- The individual entering the contest must take the photographs.
- Judging will be completed by Friday, February 11, 2005. All pictures will be on exhibit at the Kemp Center for the Arts through February 28, 2005. Pictures need to be picked up by their owners by Tuesday, March 1, 2005 during regular business hours (9-5) at the Kemp Center.
- A People's Choice award will be given to the single entry receiving the most votes; $1 per vote. The funds collected will be the property of River Bend Nature Center. A reception and award ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2005 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m.
All proceeds benefits the educational projects and programs of River Bend Nature Center.
Please call the River Bend office, 940-767-0843, to receive the official entry form for the photography contest and exhibition.
After School Science Camps, January - April 2005.
River Bend staff members are available to teach after school science camps at elementary schools within a 25 mile radius of Wichita Falls. The science camps are conducted from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, Monday thru Thursday for one week. The program is for children in 3rd - 5th grade. The class is limited to 20 children per week. Two River Bend naturalists conduct the programs on wildlife, ecology, and natural sciences. The topics are taught using the hands-on approach creating experiments and take-home projects.
Fee per child: $20 / week
Call Kathy Morris, school coordinator, for more information. 940-7867-0843