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 It's right outside your door — It's nature!

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.
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Frogwatch Training 
13y and up N/A Sa  01/18/2025
03:00 PM - 05:00 PM

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

Naturalist Walk
Join naturalists as we discover the beauty around us in each season. Bring binoculars, a camera, and a sense of adventure. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required. This season's hike will be November 2, 2024
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Naturalist Walk November 
N/A N/A Sa  11/02/2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Foyer
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res
Naturalist Walk

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 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th Winter: February 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th Time: 10:00 - 10:45am Fee: Preregistration required by May 1. $12/ACC resident; $18/Non-resident; SCNC Members get 10% discount
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Babies and Beasties Winter 2025 
1y 6m - 2y N/A Th  02/06/2025 - 02/27/2025
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Classroom #1
$12.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
 
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Babies and Beasties Fall 2024 
1y 6m - 2y N/A Th  10/03/2024 - 10/24/2024
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 Preschoolers will explore nature through hikes, animal encounters and hands on experiences. Ages: 3-5 years, with adult Program Date: January 8-February 19, every other Wednesday Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Fee: $12 ACC Resident, $18 Non-resident, 10% off for SCNC members. Preregistration required.
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Knee High Naturalists 
3y - 5y N/A 01/08/2025 - 02/19/2025
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. For September and November, we will be shortening the planetarium portion to include an activity after the show. 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, $7.50/Non-resident. This program is not scholarship eligible. Fall Dates: September 21-Solar System Walk-How big is our solar system? Explore what makes up our solar system and then go for a walk to visualize how spread out it is. October 19-Fall Skies-Learn what you can see in the skies this fall. November 16-The Dot-learn about Earth and what makes our planet special. After the show, create your own Earth art by using dots. December 21 “Winter Solstice” The winter solstice marks the end of fall and the beginning of winter. Celebrate the shortest day by doing a few winter solstice traditions. January 18 “Winter Skies” Discover what is visible during our winter nights. February 15 “Animals of the Sky” View a variety of animals found in the constellations. After the program, meet one of the resident animals.
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November "The Dot" 
5y - 100y N/A Sa  11/16/2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 Non-Res
 
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October "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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Animals of the Sky February 
5y - 100y N/A Sa  02/15/2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 Non-Res
 
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Winter Skies January 
5y - 100y N/A Sa  01/18/2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 Non-Res
 
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Winter Solstice December 
5y - 100y N/A Sa  12/21/2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 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 25 Time: 3:00-4:30pm Ages: 16 years and up Fee: $3, pre-registration
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Tales on the Porch 
13y and up N/A Sa  01/25/2025
03:00 PM - 04:30 PM

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

Landart Class
Join naturalist as we hike the trails and create natural art in the forest of the nature center
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Landart Class 
6y - 10y N/A Sa  11/23/2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Trails
$5.00 Res, $7.50 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
November Audubon Monthly Meeting 
N/A N/A Th  11/07/2024
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res
 
  No Registration Required
October Audubon Monthly Meeting 
N/A N/A Th  10/03/2024
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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Astronomy Club Meeting 
6y - 100y N/A TuTh  09/17/2024 - 11/14/2024
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

View Locations
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Feast with the Gods
Come dressed in your best mythological costume and enjoy Greek food. After dinner, enjoy a planetarium program hearing tales of the gods. Enjoy music and some after dinner desserts with hot beverages. Come prepared to be transported into Greek Mythology.
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Feast with the Gods 
18y and up N/A 02/14/2025
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center
$30.00 Res, $30.00 Non-Res
Come dressed in your best mythological costume and enjoy Greek food. After dinner, enjoy a planetarium program hearing tales of the gods. Enjoy music and some after dinner desserts with hot beverages. Come prepared to be transported into Greek Mythology

Winter Break Drop In Activities
Stop in for a few minutes or a few hours to enjoy activities set out by staff. These activities are self-guided activities for visitors to pass away time while at the nature center. Each day has a different theme. Ages: All Dates: December 26-Game Day December 27-Craft time December 28-Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Time: 9am-1pm Fee: Free
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Winter Break Drop In Activities 
N/A N/A ThFSa  12/26/2024 - 12/28/2024
09:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Classroom #2
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

No registration required. Drop in for a few minutes or a few hours. Craft Day will be until supplies run out.

Planetariums for 18 years and older
These planetarium programs are for adults. The information presented is aimed at older audiences.
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Mindful Planetarium 
18y - 100y N/A 11/22/2024
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 Non-Res
Put away your phones, turn off your voices, and spend quiet time in the planetarium
 
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Mindful Planetarium 
18y - 100y N/A 11/22/2024
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium
$5.00 Res, $7.50 Non-Res
Put away your phones, turn off your voices, and spend quiet time in the planetarium

Day Out of School Programs
These are programs/activities that are designed to add to students out of school experience.
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Silent Reading at the Nature Center 
4y - 100y N/A 10/11/2024
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Exhibit Hall
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res
Join the Athens Clarke County Public Library as we bring you silent reading at the nature center.

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. 21 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 02/21/2025
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

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

Birding with Technology
Who's that little brown bird? Join Trails and Open Space staff on a nature walk to uncover all of the friends flying around our backyards. Learn who’s who using old school and new school techniques. We will be highlighting smart phone apps Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Labs and Audubon Bird ID, feel free to download these to your phone prior to the program to be able to utilize them along our walk. Staff member will have an iPad utilizing the app in case you are unable.
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Birding with Technology Claypit Pond Trail 
1y - 99y N/A Tu  12/31/2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sandy Creek Nature Center - Trails
$0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res
 
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Birding with Technology Dudley Park 
1y - 99y N/A 02/07/2025
05:00 PM - 06:00 PM

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

The Vine That Ate the South
Learn about “The Vine That Ate the South,” Kudzu. This plant is fast growing, wide spreading, and sure to be identifiable from any roadside. Join Trails and Open Space staff in learning about ACC's work in managing kudzu on properties, how kudzu impacts our land, its history, and ways in which you can repurpose this vine. Be prepared for a short hike, getting your hands dirty in harvesting invasive species, and to leave with your own art piece crafted from kudzu.
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The Vine That Ate the South 
N/A N/A 12/27/2024
02:30 PM - 05:00 PM

Memorial Park - Birchmore Trail
$8.00 Res, $10.00 Non-Res

* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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