EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: JUNE 3 – 9

Monday, June 3
Adult Painting — Learn the basics of painting, including drawing, color mixing and elements of design, during this six-part class. Class meets noon – 2:30 p.m. on Mondays June 3 – July 15 (except July 1) at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Basic Design With Collage — Explore basic elements of design by working with magazines and found, altered and re-purposed papers during this six-part class. Class meets 9 – 11:30 a.m. on Mondays
June 3 – July 8 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Children’s Farm Chores — Kids, learn firsthand how 1890s children helped around the house and farm. On Mondays, help with mom’s chores; on Thursdays, dad’s. Sessions at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Children’s Story Hour — Spread a blanket on the ground, and enjoy an hour of popular children’s stories from the 1890s. 10 – 11 a.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Forest Fitness Walk — Join a naturalist for a brisk walk, and enjoy some exercise as you take in the wonders of the woods. 8:30 – 10 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Adults only. Free. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Tuesday, June 4
Exploring Watercolors — During this six-part class, explore and enhance your artistic style while painting in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Class meets on Tuesdays June 4 – Jul 16 (except July 2) at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Sessions for intermediate and advanced students take place 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and sessions for beginner students take place 1 – 3:30 p.m. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Fishing for Bass — Check out some of the most effective bass lures on the market, and try them on one of the county’s best bass lakes. 6 – 8 p.m. at Songbird Slough Forest Preserve in Itasca on Mill Road one-half mile south of Irving Park Road. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins May 21. Call 630-933-7248.

Wednesday, June 5
Covered Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Winfield Road one block north of Butterfield Road. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Restoration-in-Progress Tours — Take a docent-guided tour through Mayslake Peabody Estate to learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. Tours begin at
11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. All ages. $5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call 630-206-9588.

Thursday, June 6
Children’s Farm Chores — Kids, learn firsthand how 1890s children helped around the house and farm. On Mondays, help with mom’s chores; on Thursdays, dad’s. Sessions at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Friday, June 7
FullersBird Fridays — Join these naturalist-led hikes, and see how the diversity of birds in a forest preserve changes throughout spring. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Adults only. $6 per person per hike; $40 for a 10-program pass. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Sit and Stitch — Enjoy some camaraderie and pick up pointers while you work on your own crocheting, quilting or knitting in the farmhouse. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Ages 10 and up; under 15 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call
630-876-5900.

A Visit With the Honey Queen — Head to Kline Creek Farm’s honey house to meet Caroline Adams, the American Beekeeping Federation’s 2012 Honey Queen. Learn about the importance of bees in our world, and discover ways to help support them. 1 – 3 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Saturday, June 8
Blacksmithing Demonstrations — Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Covered Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Winfield Road one block north of Butterfield Road. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Geocaching — Try a popular treasure-hunting activity using a GPS unit to discover hidden caches. Equipment provided. 2 – 3:30 p.m. at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn on St. Charles Road one-quarter mile west of Route 53. Ages 6 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins May 28. Call 630-933-7248.

Horse-Drawn Hayrides — Take a 30-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Rides ongoing noon – 3 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 children ages
5 – 12; children under 5 free. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private hayrides. Call 630-668-6012.

Restoration-in-Progress Tours — Take a docent-guided tour through Mayslake Peabody Estate to learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. Tours begin at
9:30, 10, 11 and 11:30 a.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. All ages.
$5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call 630-206-9588.

A Visit With the Honey Queen — Head to Kline Creek Farm’s honey house to meet Caroline Adams, the American Beekeeping Federation’s 2012 Honey Queen. Learn about the importance of bees in our world, and discover ways to help support them. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or planting seed. 9 a.m. – noon at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook.
Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Sunday, June 9
Covered Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Winfield Road one block north of Butterfield Road. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Field Exploration — Observe birds, butterflies and wildflowers in bloom. 8 – 11 a.m. at West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago on Industrial Drive one-half mile south of Hawthorne Lane.  Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. Groups of 10 or more must register. Call 630-933-7681.

Horse-Drawn Hayrides — Take a 30-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Rides ongoing noon – 3 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 children ages
5 – 12; children under 5 free. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private hayrides. Call 630-668-6012.

Just for Kids Fishing Derby — Join the 27th year of this friendly fishing competition that’s just for kids 15 and younger. Bring your own gear. Bait provided while supplies last. 8 a.m. – noon at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Butterfield Road one mile east of Route 59. Free. Register at the event. Call 630-933-7248.

Meet the Beekeepers — Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees play in our food supply. Then, ask the beekeepers your questions about honey and bees. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

St. James Farm Sunday Tour: Cultural and Natural History — Explore historic St. James Farm Forest Preserve, and learn about the farm’s beginnings and its development during a leisurely one-mile walk.
2 – 3 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Winfield Road one block north of Butterfield Road. Ages 5 and up, under 13 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call
630-933-7248.