Monthly Programs
May 2013 Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 9, 2013, 11:00am-12noon
Hikes for Tykes: Herp Search
What is a Herp? Come find out as we walk our Cypress Boardwalk trail in search of all the radical reptiles and amazing amphibians that call Calusa their home. Count lizards, listen for frog calls, and search for snakes. Parents must accompany child at all times. This walk is stroller accessible. Appropriate for children ages 3 through 5 and their families. All who attend must wear close toed shoes. Register by May 8th by calling 275-3435. Included with regular admission, members are free.
Saturday, May 11, 2013, 7:00am - noon
Colossal Yard Sale
Your treasures await! Browse through items from our attics and storerooms. Donations accepted and vendor spaces available. Call 239-275-3435 to reserve a spot!
Saturday - Sunday, May 11-12, 2013
Mother’s Day Weekend
All mothers are admitted free when accompanied by a paying family member. Take Mom or Grandma on a hike and do some crafts together. The documentary film Mother Nature’s Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age will be shown each day at 4 pm.
Friday, May 17, 2013, 8:30pm
Saturn, Jewel of the Solar System
Our monthly evening sky program is back with the month of May and it’s all about Saturn! It rises in the sky just after sunset and is at its biggest and brightest this month. Come to the Planetarium for a live show then go outside for telescope viewing of this ringed-planet. Free evening program, donations appreciated.
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Photography Class
Chauncy Davis from the Southwest Florida Photographic society will help guide beginner and experienced camera owners through the wonders of digital photography. Bring your camera and user guide. Classes will be held in the Planetarium. Reservations suggested, $20 per participant. Call 275-3435. Follow up class will be June 15, 2013.
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 5:00-8:00pm
Audubon Annual Meeting
Guest Speaker, Joyce Palmer, USFWS, "100 years of National Wildlife Refuges in Southwest Florida”
Did you know that there are five National Wildlife Refuges in Southwest Florida? Joyce Palmer, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Assistant Manager of JM Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is the guest speaker. Members of the public welcome. Dinner at 5pm, Annual Meeting at 6pm, program at 7pm.
Thursday, May 23, 2013, 11:00am-12noon
Preschool Program: Herp Herp Hooray
Come discover the world of snakes, alligators, frogs and more as we learn about reptiles and amphibians. We’ll read an educational story, create a fun reptile craft, and spend time interacting with reptiles and amphibians found at our Nature Center including alligators, snakes, lizards, turtles and more! Children must be between the ages of 3 and 5. Included with regular admission. Register by May 22nd by calling 275-3435.
May 24, 2013, 8:30pm-10:00pm
Night Hike
Come learn what animals come out once the sun goes down. Your experience will begin with a nocturnal animal presentation followed by a walk through one of our 3 nature trails for a “critters at night” experience. You must provide your own flashlight. Suitable for all ages, but keep in mind it gets DARK! Hike lasts approximately one hour. Close toed shoes are required. $10 per person (non-member) $8 per person (member). Minimum 5 participants. Max 15 participants. Register by May 23rd by calling 275-3435. *Accommodations can be made for large groups or tours. Private night hikes are also available.
Saturday, May 25, 2013, 10:00am-11:30am
Behind the Scenes
Join our Wildlife Staff for an in-depth hands-on look into our animals’ distinctive habits! This tour will take you through the daily care that is needed for our 40+ species of animals. Assist with food preparation, cleaning, and enrichment. You will also get to work hands-on with some of our more exotic animals, and step into the cage with our bald eagles! $25 per person (non-members) $20 per person (members). Maximum 8 people, ages 5+. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 275-3435 by May 24th. *Accommodations can be made for large groups or tours. Private tours also available.
Saturday, May 25, 2013, 10:00am-5:00pm
Towel Day Celebration
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is hosting its first Towel Day celebration. This day is celebrated all over the world in honor of author Douglas Adams and his Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Bring your towel and join us in the planetarium for a trivia contest, group readings, and games. This event is all day long and family friendly. Free with admission to the museum. Visit www.towelday.org for more information about this day.
May 27 – August 9, 2013
Summer Camp 2013: Where the Wild Ones Are
Our summer camp programs are designed to foster an appreciation of the natural world and to encourage interest and wonder. Each session involves lots of outside activities, games, crafts, experiments, stories, and live animal presentations, along with a lot of just plain fun. Each camper will have the opportunity to hike all of our trails and see a planetarium show. Camp schedules are available for review upon request. Spaces are limited. Visit www.CalusaNature.org for full details.
Camps for May 27-31Fantastic Florida: Swamp Monsters (Ages 5-7), EcoPower (Ages 7-10), and Florida Time Travel (Ages 10-13)
May 2013 Daily Schedule
10 am Guided Walk w/Norm DeWolfe (Tuesday and Friday, except last Friday of the month)
11:30 am Solar Observing ( Monday and Friday)
12 noon Guided Walk w Naturalist Rob Stange (Sundays only)
1:30 pm Planetarium Show – Spring Stargazing ( Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday)
1:30 pm Planetarium Show – The Sky Tonight (Monday and Friday)
3:00 pm Planetarium Show – Sizing Up Space (Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday)
3:00 pm Planetarium Show – Cassini at Saturn ( Monday and Friday)
3:00 pm Dog Day Sundays (Sundays only - $5 per dog)
Live Reptile Presentation, Meet the Mammals, Alligator Feedings, Snake Feedings – These shows vary in time, date, and location; please call each day for current schedule 239-275-3435.
***Correct as of 4/28/13. PLEASE CALL 239-275-3435 TO CONFIRM SCHEDULE INFORMATION***
