Critter Feeding
2026-11-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-13 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-20 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-11 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Meet all of our ambassador animals for a late lunch while we talk about what and how they eat!

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Campfire Cooking
2026-11-06 16:00 - 17:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Come out to the park for some campfire fun! Our naturalists are offering this as a fun family program, open to all ages. Each session will focus on a different snack using our campfire to cook it, such as roasting and Dutch oven cooking. Sign up early, as spots are limited and will fill up fast! Meet at the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center. Note, in the case of rain or severe weather, this program will be canceled.

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FEE: $3/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1043APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES

TADPOLE TIME: Turkey Talk
2026-11-10 10:00 - 11:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Let’s talk turkey – no really! We’ll talk all about turkeys and what makes them so unique. We’ll read a book, do a craft, and go on a hike to learn about where turkeys live. Note: the hike portion of this program may be adapted into another activity in the case of poor weather conditions.
FOR AGES 2-5 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN; OLDER SIBLINGS AGES 6-7 ARE ALSO WELCOME TO REGISTER
FEE: $5/CHILD
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1052
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Veterans' Day
2026-11-11
Main office and Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center closed.

Nature Hike
2026-11-12 10:00 - 11:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us for a guided nature hike through the beautiful trails of McCloud Nature Park! This moderate hike is perfect for nature lovers of all ages and experience levels. Bring water, dress for the weather, and enjoy this peaceful adventure in the great outdoors!

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES • FREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Winter Wreath Workshops
2026-11-14 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-12-05 09:00 - 15:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Make holiday memories while creating a wreath to adorn your home or to give as a gift. We will start with wild grapevine and fresh evergreens to assemble the wreath, and then to decorate with ribbon and ornaments that we supply (or bring your own). This program is a favorite for individuals and families, so register early!

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $35/WREATHADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED (SEE BELOW)APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES

TO REGISTER:

Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1054
Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m.: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1059
Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m.: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1060
Dec. 5 at 9 a.m.: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1061
Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m.: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1062
Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m.: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1063

NATURE DISCOVERY: Tracks and Trails
2026-11-17 15:00 - 16:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Join us to become wildlife detectives, following tracks left behind by animals! Learn how to identify critter tracks, uncover clues about animal behavior, and discover who walked this trail before you. We’ll have a fun craft too so you can make your own tracks at home!
FOR AGES 7-12 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
FEE: $5/PARTICIPANT
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1057
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

SENIOR CENTER: Astronomy
2026-11-18 12:30 - 13:30 | Hendricks County Senior Services, 1201 Sycamore Lane, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Join our naturalists at the Senior Center in Danville on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for a FREE nature-themed program! These programs take place during lunch at the Senior Center, and donations are accepted for lunch. The Senior Center partners with the Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA) to provide the meals. CICOA’s paperwork must be completed upon your first visit.

Lunch is prepared by Hendricks Regional Health Hospital. To make a lunch reservation, please call (317) 910-5356 by 11 a.m. on the day before the program.

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026
We bring the night sky to you! We’ll talk about understanding the night sky and how it changes over time, while telling the ancient stories of our stars.

Candle Workshop
2026-11-19 16:00 - 17:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us at McCloud for a fun fall candle workshop! We’ll enjoy the fall season by crafting our own single-wick candles (1 per person). We’ll provide all the materials necessary for candle making, but if you would like to bring your own container to repurpose (teacups, jars, soda cans, etc.), you are more than welcome to! Hot coffee will also be provided with the cost of the event.
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 10 AND UPFEE: $15/PERSON (1 CANDLE PER PERSON)ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1047APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Ornament Workshop
2026-11-20 17:00 - 19:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Is it too early to start getting into the Christmas spirit?? We don’t think so! Join us this November at McCloud Nature Park for a festive Ornament Making Workshop, where you’ll craft three unique ornaments to add handmade charm to your holiday décor. Whether you’re a glitter enthusiast or more of a rustic pinecone type, this cozy, creative gathering is the perfect way to kick off the season with a little sparkle and a lot of cheer.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $15/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1058APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 2 HOURS

Animal Tales
2026-11-24 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-12-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Clayton Liberty Township Public Library, 5199 Iowa Street, Clayton, IN, 46118, United States
Join our park naturalists at Clayton – Liberty Township Library each month to share a story about a native animal and a related craft or activity!

Name That Skull!
2026-11-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-12-29 13:00 - 14:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
NAME – THAT – SKULLLL! Join our naturalist to unveil our mysterious animal skull collection. We’ll put our skulls on display and leave it up to you to figure out which skull belongs to each animal. At the end, we will reveal the true names of the animal skulls and share info about their specialized features.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Thanksgiving Day
2026-11-26

Thanksgiving Holiday
2026-11-27

Candle Workshop
2026-12-10 16:00 - 17:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us at McCloud for a fun fall candle workshop! We’ll enjoy the fall season by crafting our own single-wick candles (1 per person). We’ll provide all the materials necessary for candle making, but if you would like to bring your own container to repurpose (teacups, jars, soda cans, etc.), you are more than welcome to! Hot coffee will also be provided with the cost of the event.
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 10 AND UPFEE: $15/PERSON (1 CANDLE PER PERSON)ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1048APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Christmas Eve
2026-12-24

Christmas Day
2026-12-25
