Community Corner
Wildest Wednesday
On May 19, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed the month of June as Leave No Child Inside Month in the State of Illinois.
The Chicago Wilderness alliance is celebrating by offering a series of free, family events featuring lively activities designed to nurture children’s sense of wonder and appreciation for nature and to help parents and caregivers feel more comfortable guiding outdoor play and recreation during future trips to local parks, preserves, and nature areas.
Cantigny Park is hosting Wildest Wednesday! on June 22 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the backyard of the Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, Illinois.
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Wildest Wednesday! is a hands-on, nature exploration event geared towards children ages 3-10. Activities include painting with berries, making animal tracks, and creating a miniature boat.
The event is free, but the regular parking fee of $5 per car applies. This program will not be held during inclement weather.
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“We are excited to participate in the celebration of Leave No Child Inside month,” said Jill Bonniwell, Cantigny Park education and volunteer coordinator. “We offer Wild Wednesdays every week during the summer but this will be our Wildest Wednesday yet! We’ll be including a variety of nature-based activities for families to enjoy--all in one afternoon.”
"Leave No Child Inside Month events are designed to bring families together around enriching experiences in nature and inspire the curiosity that leads to a life-long connection to the natural world," said Melinda Pruett-Jones, Executive Director, Chicago Wilderness.
Complete details on the month-long series of events can be found on the Leave No Child Inside website, http://kidsoutside.info.
About Chicago Wilderness
Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance that connects people and nature. More than 250 public, private and corporate organizations work together to restore local nature and improve the quality of life for all who live here, by protecting the lands and waters on which we all depend. The four key initiatives of Chicago Wilderness—to restore the health of local nature, green infrastructure, combat climate change, and leave no child inside—reflect our commitment to using science and emerging knowledge, as well as a collaborative approach to conservation, to benefit all the region’s residents. For more information, visit www.chicagowilderness.org.
About Cantigny Park
Cantigny Park, part of the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is the 500-acre Wheaton (Illinois) estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It is home to the McCormick Museum, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitors Center with banquet and dining facilities. More information, including hours, directions and upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org. Cantigny Golf, adjacent to the park, features a 27-hole championship golf course, full-service clubhouse, Cantigny Golf Academy and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For more information, visit CantignyGolf.com.
