for immediate release

Outdoor Fun for Families at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Summer 2009

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213, direct
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (June 2, 2009) —The Illinois General Assembly recently passed a joint resolution supporting the Chicago Wilderness Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights and officially designating June as "Leave No Child Inside" month in the State of Illinois. This June, and all year round at the Chicago Botanic Garden, a variety of programs help families learn and grow together amid the wonders of nature, fulfilling Chicago Wilderness' goal. The Chicago Botanic Garden is an active member in the Chicago Wilderness Consortium and serves as an advisor for its education initiatives, tying in well with the Garden's mission "to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and conservation of plants and the natural world."

Free family programs include Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Family Drop-in Activities on Saturdays and Sundays, through Oct. 4. Families get close to nature and discover where food comes from with fun, free activities each weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about plant parts, the life of a bee, different types of seeds, eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, worm composting and more. Activities vary from week to week.

Another ongoing program series is the Malott Japanese Garden Family Sundays on the first and third Sundays from June 7 through Oct. 4 (except Aug. 16). Drop by the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden for free hands-on activities related to Japanese gardens and culture. Each Sunday features a different take-home project as well as hands-on activities, including raking miniature dry gardens, trying chopsticks and practicing calligraphy. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, June 7 and 21, July 5 and 19, Aug 2, Sept. 6 and 20, and Oct 4.

If your family likes to dance, don't miss the Dancin' Sprouts evenings on Wednesdays, June 3 and 17, July 1 and 15 and Aug. 5 and 19. The Garden's youngest visitors will enjoy these free musical entertainment evenings with performances at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Picnicking will be allowed during this event on the Esplanade only.

Families can watch and learn as artist Peggy Macnamara paints in different locations in the Garden during Meet the Artist: Peggy Macnamara Public Program from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays, June 13, July 25, August 8 and September 12. Signage will lead visitors to the location where Peggy will be demonstrating watercolor painting. Materials will be available for children who want to join in and draw a picture. Macnamara's exhibition, The Natural Art of Nests, from her recently published book, Architecture by Birds & Insects, will be on display in the Joutras Gallery in the Regenstein Center through September 28.

Two weekends in August that are perfect for families eager to squeeze in some more fun before it's back to school are the Kite Festival on Aug. 8 and 9 and the Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival on Aug. 15 and 16. The Kite Festival features soaring stunt kite-flying performances set to music by the Chicago Fire Kite Team and members of the Kite Society of Wisconsin & Illinois. Catch the complimentary tram out to the event site. There is even time to fly your own kite at the festival site. Lunch items, beverages and ice cream will be available for purchase. All ages can learn to make their own paper kites. Event hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Kite Festival is sponsored by Edy's Ice Cream.

The Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival introduces visitors to the summer festivals (matsura) celebrated in Japan. Listen to musical performances including koto harp and taiko drumming, enjoy storytelling and watch a tea ceremony. Kids of all ages can make projects to celebrate summer — create a paper fan, make a kite and more at family-friendly hands-on stations. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Garden offers a stay-at-home vacation — a “staycation” — for families who are looking to relax, rejuvenate and recharge after a long winter. Through June 30, the Spring/Summer Staycation Package includes parking, four Tram Tour tickets and admission to the Model Railroad Garden. Cost is $45. The family value package represents over a 10 percent savings for these activities. The coupon, which must be printed prior to visiting the Garden, can be found at www.chicagobotanic.org/staycation.

The Model Railroad Garden appeals to all ages, which is why families return year after year to see the sights and sounds of seventeen garden-scale trains traversing miniature scenes of America’s best-loved landmarks and beautiful gardens planted to scale. Celebrating 10 years at the Garden, the exhibition features new Philadelphia landmarks including Independence Hall and a train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line chugging around the White House. Also, lots of new details such as the "W" sign atop Wrigley Field and the sound of Harry Caray singing "Take me out to the ball game" are back. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 25 (weather permitting); open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from June 6 through Sept. 7. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. Members receive $1 off these rates. Garden Plus members enter free on Wednesdays. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/railroad for more information.

Family Classes
Spend an evening exploring the Garden with family and friends at Nature Nights! Families bring a picnic dinner to enjoy in the Garden and explore the Garden through these fun, hands-on programs which include a short tram ride, potting up a plant to take home and making S'mores at the Children's Garden. Preregistration is required at least one week in advance online, fax or mail only. Nature Nights is designed for children ages 4-10; adults must accompany children; limit three children per adult. Hours are from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/naturenights to register or for more information.

Little Diggers provides our youngest visitors ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers the opportunity to explore nature together. Learn about fruits & vegetables, discover animals, experience the changing seasons and more! Each class begins with an interactive group period, followed by time for children to try a variety of hands-on activities. Classes include potting plants and a walk outdoors or in the Greenhouses (weather permitting). These four-class series meet once a month and run from September through December and January through April on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9 – 10 a.m. or 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Adults must accompany children. Registration is required in advance. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/littlediggers or call (847) 835-8363 for more information.

Just for Kids
There is still space available in Chicago Botanic Garden's Camp CBG, where science, nature and fun meet! Weeklong summer day camp sessions are offered from June 15 through August 14. Camp CBG has an interdisciplinary approach to nature exploration that incorporates literacy, reading, math, social studies, culture and art, as well as science. Experienced, professional teachers lead camp sessions with hands-on science, gardening, art, nature and outdoor explorations for full or half-day options. Last year, over 1,500 children, ages 2 to 12, participated in learning experiences grounded in the real world setting provided by the Garden’s 385 acres of diverse landscapes, gardens and native habitats. Registration for half-day camps is $180; Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $155. Full-day camps cost $375; Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $325. Online registration is now available. For information and registration, visit www.chicagobotanic.org/camp or call (847) 835-6950.

NEW! Nature-Themed Birthday Parties
Families who have a Garden Plus Membership can plan their child's birthday party (for those turning 5 and up) at the Garden on Saturday and Sunday mornings or afternoons. Choose from Feathered Friends, Plant Part Art or Gumballs & Superballs. All parties include fun and educational hands-on activities led by Garden staff. Every child takes home a plant plus additional items they’ve created! Parties must be chaperoned by a minimum of two adults. For more information, visit www.chicagobotanic.org/birthdays. To speak with someone about scheduling a party, submit an online request form or call (847) 835-8275.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. For more information about family programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/forfamilies.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.