GENOA, Ill. — Children looking for adventure during Thanksgiving break can discover the outdoors through Forest Quest, a hands-on nature day camp offered by University of Illinois Extension and the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District.
Taking place Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026, Forest Quest is a new program at the Natural Resource Education Center and is designed for youth ages 7 to 11 who have completed first grade. The camp will be held at the Natural Resource Education Center in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, 11750 State Route 72, Genoa.
Forest Quest provides a safe, welcoming environment where children can explore nature through educational, recreational, and hands-on outdoor activities led by Extension staff.
“This will be similar to our summer day camps, except without the heat and buzzing insects,” said Marian Termini, University of Illinois Extension program coordinator. “The Natural Resource Education Center gives us opportunities to enjoy outdoor exploration while also having indoor space for activities, warming up by the wood stove, and, if conditions allow, spending time around a campfire.”
Each day will feature different nature-themed activities, allowing campers to explore subjects such as insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, geology, and other natural science topics. Through games, investigations, and hands-on learning, participants will build their understanding of the natural world while having fun outdoors.
Activities may include the popular “Dead Ants” game, where children try to escape an anteater, or “Chip Mining,” a cookie-based activity that introduces geological concepts and natural resource management.
Campers may be divided into age groups depending on enrollment. Because activities and subject matter will vary from day to day, families may register their child for one day or both days.
While children enjoy an outdoor adventure, parents and caregivers can take advantage of the time to prepare for holiday travel, family gatherings, and visiting guests.
Brochures are available online at: https://go.illinois.edu/ForestQuestBrochure, or at local libraries, through school district virtual backpacks and community bulletin boards, and at the Extension office. Families may also request a brochure by contacting Marian Termini at 815-784-2000 or mariantt@illinois.edu.
The Extension office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. For more information, to request a brochure, or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Marian Termini.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.