Spring Valley celebrates winter solstice, offers snowshowing through winter
Spring Valley Nature Center, a 135-acre preserve located in Schaumburg, offers opportunities to enjoy the winter season in the outdoors. Among upcoming activities are a winter solstice celebration and, when snow arrives, the chance to snowshoe trails in the 135-acre nature preserve.
The Schaumburg Park District, which operates the nature center, will celebrate the arrival of winter from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, at the center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road. Visitors will discover what is special about the winter solstice and how ancient societies honored the solstice.
"This new program is a good opportunity to experience holiday traditions that have deep roots to old winter solstice celebrations," said Dave Brooks, manager of conservation services at Spring Valley. "Children will search for the yule log in the woods before bringing it to the cabin to start a fire and discuss the log's significance."
Children will make crafts, learn new skills and explore. Participants will adventure from the Nature Center to Merkle Log Cabin to light the Yule fire. Visitors will toast the fire with warm drinks and listen to a story. The event will conclude with a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Cost is $20 for a family of four. Cost per participant or additional family member is $6.
The park district also touts snowshoeing the center's trails as a way to see and appreciate the beauty of the winter landscape. The center has snowshoes available for rent throughout the winter months.
Spring Valley features over three miles of trails. Snowshoes may be rented for use at the nature preserve anytime there is at least four inches of snow on the ground, or taken off-site to be used elsewhere. Snowshoe rookies are asked to view a short video in the nature center that illustrates proper use of snowshoes and technique. Rentals are available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., daily.
The rental fee is $4 per pair for three hours or less and $10 per pair for the day. Snowshoes may also be rented at the daily rate for trips up north to snow country. Daily renters must also provide a $50 check or leave a credit-card number as deposit. Special rates for Scouts and other youth groups are available on weekdays after 3 p.m.
For more information, call (847) 985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com.