Nature Center Offers Winter Programs

Throughout the holidays, the Oak Canyon Nature Center is offering “Winder Wonderland” programs in which youngsters can explore science and the wilderness.

The programs are aimed at children ages 6 to 10, focus on a nature topic and may include trail walks, games, crafts, activities, experiments and live animal demonstrations.

Shauna Pankey, recreation coordinator, said the classes will be held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Friday with each program held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The fee for each of the programs is $8 a child and participants should bring sack lunches.

Monday’s program will focus on pine cones and fir trees; on Tuesday, children will learn about penguins and puffins--birds that live in the arctic; on Thursday, featured will be mammals that live in the snow, such as snowshoe hares and polar bears; and next Friday, the class will spotlight the winter wonders of ice and snowflakes.

Oak Canyon Nature Center, a 60-acre scenic natural park at 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road off Nohl Ranch Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through the holiday season, including New Year’s Day.

The nature center also offers events for the entire family. Visitors can go on a nature walk along the stream and six miles of trails and look around in the Nature Center’s John J. Collier Interpretive Center.

Registration is suggested for the winter vacation classes because space is limited.

Information: (714) 998-8380.