Critter Feeding!
2026-07-16 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-30 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-13 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-20 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 AGESFEE: $2/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR
Registration Links

May 14: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1017
May 21: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1018
May 28: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1019
June 4: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1020
June 11: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1021
June 18: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1022
June 25: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1023
July 2: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1024
July 9: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1025
July 16: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1026
July 23: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1027
July 30: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1029
Aug. 6: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1030
Aug. 13: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1031
Aug. 20: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1032
Aug. 27: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1033

ROOTED IN NATURE CLUB: Night Hike
2026-07-16 20:30 - 22:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
You’ve seen our parks in the day, but now is your chance to explore them at night! This evening session of our club will include a campfire (with s’mores, of course!) and faith in our naturalists as we guide you through the dark. Don’t worry, we’ll have flashlights on hand for safety, but the more we are in the dark, the more our eyes will adjust, similar to the nocturnal critters we’ll meet along the way. Snacks provided.
FOR AGES 13-18
FEE: $10/TEEN
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY JULY 13 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1015
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES

Yoga in the Park - All Ages
2026-07-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-07 19:00 - 20:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Join Balance & Breath Yoga & Wellness Center this summer for FREE Yoga in the Park programs!
Grab a beach towel or yoga mat, some water, and join us at the Bluegill Shelter at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park! Our beginner-friendly series of classes are great for meeting those in the community and enjoying gentle movement outdoors in a beautiful park!

Three different programs available:

Family Yoga (families of all ages), Saturdays at 9 a.m., (1-hour session)
Kids Yoga (ages 5-10), Tuesdays at 10 a.m., (1-hour session)
Yoga in the Park (all ages), Fridays at 7 p.m., (1-hour session)

FREE to attend
No Advance Registration Required

Night Hike at McCloud
2026-07-17 21:00 - 22:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us for a night at one of our parks! You’ll get the rare chance to experience our trails in the evening with a naturalist to guide you. Each night hike, we will be looking for what the woods have to offer: bats, owls, fireflies, and more! This program will last about 1.5 hours and will trek easy to moderate trails. Our parks have a variety of paved, gravel, and grassy trails, so come prepared! Small flashlights will be available for use, but light usage will be minimized in order to get the best experience and to avoid disrupting wildlife. In the event of rain or severe weather, the event will be canceled.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $5/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY JULY 15 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=994APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1.5 HOURS

Vandalia Trail Bike Rides
2026-07-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-04 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Vandalia Trail – Amo Trailhead, 5042 South Street, Amo, IN, 46103, United States
Bicyclists, join Friends of the Vandalia Trail for weekly rides along the Vandalia Trail alternating between Amo and Plainfield. This event is for the rides starting from Amo.

1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays each month (trailhead at Railroad St. & Pearl St.). Enjoy the countryside and small towns riding Hendricks County Parks and Recreation’s paved Vandalia Trail to Coatesville and the Putnam County line (8 miles round trip, 16 miles for two round trips) and occasionally part of the Putnam Parks & Pathways’ packed stone Vandalia Trail towards Fillmore, depending on the group.

Please note that riders participate at their own risk and minors must be accompanied by an adult responsible for them.
If you have any questions, please contact Greg Midgley (greg@nrht.org).
http://www.nrht.org/vandalia/page.php?p=events#weekly_bike

NATURE DAY CAMP (AGES 2-6): Get Messy!
2026-07-22 10:30 - 12:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Time to get your hands dirty! Campers will enjoy fun messy stations, like making mud pies, mud painting and playing games that WILL earn a few grass stains. Bring a change of clothes for this one!
FOR AGES 2-6 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
FEE: $15/CAMPER & PARENT/GUARDIAN
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY JULY 15 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=985
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 2 HOURS

NATURE DAY CAMP (AGES 7-12): Get Messy!
2026-07-24 10:30 - 14:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Time to get your hands dirty! Campers will enjoy fun messy stations, like making mud pies, mud painting and playing games that WILL earn a few grass stains. Bring a change of clothes for this one!
FOR AGES 7-12
FEE: $30/CAMPER
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY JULY 17 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=986
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 4 HOURS

Family Yoga in the Park
2026-07-25 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-15 09:00 - 10:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States

Name That Skull!
2026-07-28 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

Nature Journaling at Gibbs
2026-07-29 14:00 - 15:30 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Tune in with your senses as we explore our parks, bringing our nature journals along for the adventure! Our naturalists will take you on a guided walk where our goal is to absorb all nature has to offer and learn how to make observations and record them in your own way. Small, simple journals will be offered, but you may bring your own journal if you’d like!
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 7 AND UPFEE: $3/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY JULY 27 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1007APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1.5 HOURS

Market in the Park
2026-08-01 09:00 - 14:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Come out to W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park this year for our Market in the Park (formerly Farmer’s Parket) events, where you will find local artisans, baked goods, crafts, homemade goods and more available for purchase from local vendors!
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FREE TO ATTEND
NO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 5 HOURS (ONGOING)
Vendor space is $20 for a 10’x10′ spot. If you would like to arrange booth space at this event, sign up here: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=964

Yap with a Naturalist!
2026-08-04 13:00 - 14:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Tired of Googling every question you might have while outdoors or sitting and wondering “What’s this bird?” Come out to McCloud Nature Park for our naturalist’s yap hour, where we will try our best to answer any burning questions you may have about the natural world or advice on how to get a good mix of birds coming to your feeders. You bring the questions; we’ll provide the answers and refreshments.

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR (ONGOING)

Campfire Cooking
2026-08-08 18:30 - 20:00 | 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. See our calendar and our website for more details. Sign up early, as spots are limited and will fill up fast! Meet at the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center. (After this program, stick around for the Astronomy Program with the Indiana Astronomical Society.)

Note, in the case of rain or severe weather, this program will be canceled.

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $3/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES
Registration Links

May 23: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=996
June 20: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=998
July 11: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=997
Aug. 8: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=999

Astronomy
2026-08-08 21:00 - 23:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Looking for a fun and educational family activity this summer that’s FREE?
Take stargazing to new heights by escaping the light pollution of the city and heading to McCloud Nature Park, where thousands of stars twinkle like jewels in the dark night sky!
The Indiana Astronomical Society partners with Park Naturalists to hold sky seminars and viewings at McCloud on the Saturday nights listed below. These programs, led by expert sky watchers, are geared for the novice astronomer.
Telescopes large and small will be set up for your use. Each evening will begin with a brief informational session (“sky seminar”) in the Nature Center where you will learn which planets and constellations will be visible that night. These seminars last about 30 minutes and are best suited for ages 8 and older. Outdoor sky-viewing will begin following the seminars.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Sky seminars will take place rain or shine, but sky viewings are dependent upon clear skies. If poor weather is forecast or any severe weather advisories are issued, the sky-viewing portion of the program will be canceled.
All Astronomy programs are held on Saturdays at McCloud Nature Park. They are FREE to attend, appropriate for all ages, and no advance registration is required. Each program is approximately 2 hours in duration.
Please be advised that the park closes at 11 p.m. on Astronomy nights.
2026 Program Schedule

Saturday, May 23 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 20 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 11 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

(Cover photo by Jonathan Grober)

TADPOLE TIME: Birding for Beginners!
2026-08-11 10:00 - 11:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Welcome to a beginner’s intro to birding! We will go over how to use birding tools, the keys to birding, and see what we will find at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park!
FOR AGES 2-7 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
FEE: $5/CHILD
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY MAY 15 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1012
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

NATURE DISCOVERY: Seek at the Creek!
2026-08-12 10:00 - 12:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
There is so much to be found at Big Walnut Creek! Minnows, crayfish, fossils, cool rocks and more! Come out and take a dip in the creek while we explore all it has to offer. Our naturalists will have nets and catching tools, but feel free to bring your own. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, and bring a towel and a change of clothes!
FOR AGES 7-12 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
FEE: $5/PARTICIPANT
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY AUG. 7 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=991
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION : 2 HOURS

"Smammals!"
2026-08-14 19:00 - 20:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Are you looking to familiarize yourself with Indiana’s small mammals or expand your knowledge of safe and sustainable trapping practices? Come out to McCloud to learn about setting up a transect and how to appropriately handle small mammals! We’ll hopefully get to meet some of the critters that call McCloud’s prairie and woodlands home. Participants should dress for the weather and be prepared to take a short hike.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $3/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY AUG. 12 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1034APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Night Hike on Vandalia Trail
2026-08-14 21:00 - 22:30 | Vandalia Trail – Amo Trailhead, 5042 South Street, Amo, IN, 46103, United States
Join us for a night at one of our parks! You’ll get the rare chance to experience our trails in the evening with a naturalist to guide you. Each night hike, we will be looking for what the woods have to offer: bats, owls, fireflies, and more! This program will last about 1.5 hours and will trek easy to moderate trails. Our parks have a variety of paved, gravel, and grassy trails, so come prepared! Small flashlights will be available for use, but light usage will be minimized in order to get the best experience and to avoid disrupting wildlife. In the event of rain or severe weather, the event will be canceled.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $5/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY AUG. 12 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=995APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1.5 HOURS

Hendricks County SWCD Watershed Walk
2026-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us at McCloud Nature Park for this in-depth hike with Sydney Mrazik from the Hendricks County Soil & Water Conservation District. We’ll explore the banks of Big Walnut Creek and discuss how we can all do our part to protect our watersheds. Dress for a hike and bring water shoes. We’ll meet at the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 2 HOURS

SENIOR CENTER: Indiana Oddities
2026-08-19 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.

AUGUST 19: INDIANA ODDITIESJoin us for this presentation about some of the oddest things that can be found in Indiana! From the largest ball of paint to the shoe tree, we will cover all the strangest things we have to offer in Indiana!

ROOTED IN NATURE CLUB: Wildflower Walk
2026-08-20 16:00 - 17:30 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
What better way to end the summer season than by saying farewell to our wonderful wildflowers? Take a walk around the park with our naturalists as we make our very own wildflower bouquets. We will identify and discuss the perennial blooms we find along the way. Participants are also welcome to create their very own flower “junk journal” to secure their new collection. Snacks provided.
NOTE: The collection of plants in our parks outside of permitted program use is prohibited without written permission from park management.
FOR AGES 13-18
FEE: $10/TEEN
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY AUG. 17 AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1016
APROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES
