Hancock County, IL –A new Junior Master Naturalist summer class is now open for registration, offering youth ages 9-12 the opportunity to explore the hidden natural gems of Hancock County while learning from local experts. This program is limited to 15 participants, and transportation is included from Jaycee Park/Carthage Lake in Carthage.
Participants will explore various topics such as forestry, Illinois streams and rivers, insects, rocks and minerals, prairies, wildlife, and essential outdoor skills. The program is designed to make learning exciting and fun through hands-on activities like fishing, nature art, rock hunting, hiking, birding, and insect collecting.
In partnership with the Carthage Park District, the week-long adventure will culminate in a meaningful service project at Carthage Lake, followed by a celebration pool party at the Carthage Pool. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth to connect with nature, make new friends, and become stewards of the environment.
Program Schedule:
- Monday: Wildlife and Outdoor Adventures at Carthage Lake, Carthage
- Tuesday: Insects and Prairies at Lakeview Nature Center, Macomb
- Wednesday: Rivers and Forestry at Kibbe Biological Station, Warsaw
- Thursday: Fossils and Geology at Wildcat Springs Park, Hamilton
- Friday: Service Project (9 AM to Noon) at Carthage Lake, Carthage
- Friday: Pool Party (6 to 8 PM) at Carthage Pool, Carthage
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore nature and learn from the best. For more information and to register, please visit go.illinois.edu/Jr-MN-Hancock.
CONTACT: Amy Lefringhouse, Natural Resource, Environment, and Energy Educator, heberlei@illinois.edu, (217) 223-8380
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.