Will County Forest Preserve Holding History, Kayaking Events

Submitted by the Will County Forest Preserve

The Will County Forest Preserve has several outdoors events scheduled throughout Will County.

ROMEOVILLE

A “Living History Demonstration” will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road. Watch Isle a la Cache Brigade volunteers re-enact an 18th century trading community as they portray musket shooters, cooks, seamstresses, voyageurs or craftsmen. Registration is not required for the free, all-ages program.

CHANNAHON

Tuesday, Sept. 1, is the deadline to register for “Kayak the Canal,” a Forest Preserve District of Will County trip that will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. Certified United States Canoe Association instructors will lead kayakers on a day trip from McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove down the Des Plaines River to the DuPage River. Lunch on the lockhouse in Channahon will be provided. There will be a 0.25-mile interpretive hike before the group returns to the water. The trip will conclude with a kayak tour of sights along the historic I&M Canal. All equipment is provided. Previous kayaking experience is required. Boats will be portaged over short distances. The program is for ages 18 and older. Cost: $40 per person. To register by the deadline, call 708-534-8499.

NAPERVILLE

Learn more about the Forest Preserve District of Will County during “Meet the Preserves” from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, at Whalon Lake. The free program is open to all ages and registration is not required. The preserve is located on Royce Road, west of Route 53. Also, four one-hour sessions of “Paddle the Preserves” will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at the preserve. Kayaks and other equipment will be provided. The cost is $10 per person per session. A “Private Kayak Instruction” program also will be offered from 2 to 6 p.m. at a cost of $40 per hour per person. The kayak programs are for ages 12 and older; ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration is required for both kayak programs; call 708-534-8499.

SHOREWOOD

“Mysteries of the Bat: Revealed!” will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Hammel Woods – Route 59 Access, located north of Route 52 in Shorewood. Explore the secretive world of bats, learn the obstacles these mammals must overcome for survival, and discover how you can help them along the way. Get up close and personal with some live bats, and then create your own bat house with stain and stencils to take home. Wear old clothes that can get stained. One bat house will be provided per registered family or group. Participants should meet at the Shorewood Grove Shelter (the second farthest picnic shelter from the preserve entrance). The all-ages program costs $3 per person. Registration is required; call 708-534-8499.