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Frog Watch Training
Do you enjoy listening to frogs calling? Learn to identify and count frogs as part of this citizen science program. You can participate at your own home or join the SCNC monitoring team. The monitoring season is February through August. We ask that volunteers make a commitment to monitor at least twice a month at a Sandy Creek Frog Watcher site. Date: January 31 Time: 3-5pm Ages: 13-adult Fee: Free Pre-registration is required.
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Frogwatch Training 
13y and up N/A Sa  01/31/2026
03:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Full Classroom
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Star Watch
Come join us at Sandy Creek Park, for a guided tour of the night sky. Programs will be scheduled to highlight the astronomical events throughout the year.
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December Star Watch 1 
N/A N/A 12/03/2025
08:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sandy Creek Park
$2.00 Res, $2.00 Non-Res
 
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December Star Watch 2 
N/A N/A Sa  12/13/2025
08:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sandy Creek Park
$2.00 Res, $2.00 Non-Res

Babies and Beasties
Babies & Beasties Series Join us for a series of classes structured for toddlers and their guardians. Explore nature, learn about animals, go on hikes and make nature crafts. Ages: 18 months - 2 years, with accompanying adult. Dates: Fall October 2nd- October 23rd, every Thursday. Time: 10:00 - 10:45am Fee: Preregistration required two days before start of series. $12/ACC resident; $18/Non-resident; SCNC Members get 10% discount
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Babies and Beasties Winter 2026 
1y 6m - 2y 11m N/A Th  02/05/2026 - 02/26/2026
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Classroom #1
$12.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res

Knee High Naturalists
Knee High Naturalist Fall, what a feeling. Come explore the woods and animals this fall in our Knee High Naturalist Series. Ages: 3-5 years, with adult Program Date: September 3rd-November 12th, every other Wednesday. Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Fee: $24 ACC Resident, $36 Non-resident, 10% discount for SCNC Member. Preregistration required online Winter: Explore the winter woods and enjoy outside activities exploring nature in the winter.
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Knee High Naturalists Winter 2026 
3y - 5y N/A 01/07/2026 - 02/18/2026
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Full Classroom
$12.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res

Journey Through the Stars
Join us for our planetarium program in the Sky Center. We will journey through the night sky, exploring the great beyond. Ages: Ages 5 and up. CHILDREN UNDER 13 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REGISTERED ADULT. Anyone under 5 will not be admitted into the program. Children must be able to sit in the dark through the program portion. Pre-registration is required. Time: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Fee: $5/ACC resident, $8/Non-resident. This program is not scholarship eligible. September 20th- Ship of Dreams, Moonlight Beams!- In celebration of Talk Like a Pirate Day, come to the nature center and prepare to sail the seas by navigating the world by the night sky. Following the planetarium portion, participate in a few pirate themed activities. Costume are strongly encouraged as is pirate talk! October 18th- Spooky Space- It's the time of year to listen to spooky stories and see scary constellations. November 15th- Fall Skies- Learn what you can see in the skies in fall. December 20th- Storytime Under the Stars- bring a blanket and snuggle up under the stars. Special stories are told this month. January 17th- Winter Skies- see what the night sky holds during the winter months. February 21st- Expedition Moon- see landing spots of Apollo missions, learn about the moon, and how dependent we are on the moon.
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November"Fall Skies" 
5y - 100y N/A Sa  10/19/2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 Non-Res
 
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November: Fall Skies 
5y and up N/A Sa  11/15/2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res
All participants must register.
 
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December: Storytime Under the Stars  
5y and up N/A Sa  12/20/2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res
 
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February: Expedition Moon  
5y and up N/A Sa  02/21/2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res
 
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January: Winter Skies  
5y and up N/A Sa  01/17/2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res

Tales on the Porch
Transport yourself to a time of the past when sitting by a fire and listening to a story was the entertainment. Storyteller, Jackie Elsner, will share a couple of tales for the group. Before the story begins, visit the inside of the 1810 log house and enjoy a fire and a hot beverage. Date: January 17 Time: 3:00-4:30pm Ages: 16 years and up Fee: $3, pre-registration
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Tales on the Porch 
16y and up N/A Sa  01/17/2026
03:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Log House
$3.00 Res, $3.00 Non-Res

Valentine's Day Planetarium
Come to the nature center this Valentine’s Day and share a magical evening with your beloved beneath the shimmering night sky. Let celestial stories whisk you away on a journey of love and wonder, as soft music fills the air around you. Together, relax under the stars, then warm your hearts with cozy drinks and sweet cookies, creating memories as timeless as the heavens above.
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Valentine's Day Planetarium 
18y and up N/A Sa  02/14/2026
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$15.00 Res, $15.00 Non-Res
 
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Valentine's Day Planetarium 
18y and up N/A Sa  02/14/2026
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$15.00 Res, $15.00 Non-Res

Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Monthly Meeting
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Nature Center from October - May. Meetings are open to the public. Check our calendar to confirm the date and location (we occasionally meet on the UGA campus). We invite speakers from a wide spectrum of backgrounds to present on topics ranging from conservation to paleontology. http://www.oconeeriversaudubon.org/
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  No Registration Required
February Audubon Monthly Meeting 
N/A Th  02/05/2026
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res
 
  No Registration Required
November Audubon Monthly Meeting 
N/A N/A Th  11/06/2025
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Athens Astronomy Club Meetings
Local astronomy loving individuals meet once a month at Sandy Creek Nature Center. During the meetings we discuss upcoming astronomical events, star watches, and enjoy guest speakers. Some meetings are held at Sandy Creek Park for a Star Watch Event (those events are listed as Star Watch Meetings). Anyone 17 and under needs to be accompanied by an adult. For more information about the club or if you have questions please email: Michelle Cash michelle.cash@accgov.com
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  No Registration Required
November Astronomy Club Meeting 
6y - 100y N/A Th  11/13/2025
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Planetariums for 18 years and older
These planetarium programs are for adults. The information presented is aimed at older audiences. Mindful planetarium is a time for adults to unwind. No cell phones, no talking, and no children. We will have coffee and tea before and after the mindful time. We will spend time listening to music and watching the night sky.
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Mindful Planetarium (18 and up) 
18y - 100y N/A Sa  11/22/2025
04:00 PM - 04:45 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $5.00 Non-Res
Put away your phones, turn off your voices, and spend quiet time in the planetarium
 
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Mindful Planetarium (18 and up) 
18y - 100y N/A Sa  11/22/2025
05:00 PM - 05:45 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $5.00 Non-Res
Put away your phones, turn off your voices, and spend quiet time in the planetarium

Night Explorers: OWLS
We'll adventure out into the night to see what becomes active after dark. Our focus will be in search of owls. We will learn about owls in the area then call for them on the trails. Bring a flashlight. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages: 5 years and up (children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult) Date: Feb. 27 Time: 6:30 PM-8:00 PM Fee: $5 per ACC resident, $7 Non-Resident. Pre-registration is required.
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Night Explorers: OWLS 
5y and up N/A 02/27/2026
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Full Classroom
$5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res

Nature Play Day
Nature Play Day is fun and educational outdoor program designed to connect children and families with the natural beauty of our local parks. Join Trails and Open Space for a fun-filled morning of hands-on exploration, physical activity, and environmental learning. The event encourages children to engage in unstructured outdoor play while fostering a deep appreciation for nature.
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Nature Play Day at Dudley Park 
N/A 01/02/2026
09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Dudley Park - Dudley Park Pavilion
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Women in Science
Celebrate the incredible contributions of women in science at our upcoming event at the Nature Center! Join us for an inspiring program that highlights the stories and achievements of women who have shaped the fields of biology, ecology, astronomy, and beyond. This event is a wonderful opportunity for learners of all ages to discover, explore, and be inspired by the trailblazing women who continue to make a difference in science today.
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Women In Science Open House 
N/A N/A Sa  02/28/2026
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

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