November 2012 Events
LISLE, IL (October 25, 2012) – From hunting for gnomes to exploring the Enchanted Railroad to feeding the birds, join The Morton Arboretum throughout November 2012 for events designed for kids, families and adults.
FOR KIDS
Gnome Hunt
When the animals begin to hibernate, our garden gnomes come out to play a game of hide-and-seek. Come help us hunt for our hidden gnomes. Check out the sign at the Children’s Garden entrance for details on how to play along. Free with admission.
Tree House Tales Exhibition
Every tree has a story that's waiting to be told! Enter our tree house village filled with adventure and imagination. Play, make believe, and become part of the trees' ever-changing tale. This exhibition, aimed at children ages 2 to 10 years old, is comprised of six fun-filled, educational tree houses. This exhibit is in our South China collection along Loop 1, approximately a four-block walk from the Visitor Center. Free with admission.
Tree Treats
Discover winter wildlife and make special tree treats for them. Join us Friday, November 23 to Sunday, November 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Children’s Garden. Free with admission.
Arbor Reading Adventures
Hear stories, create a craft, and take an adventure walk on our grounds. Join us in the Sterling Morton Library for this popular interactive story time. This event is designed for children ages 3 to 5 with an adult. Join us Wednesdays and Fridays, November to March (except November 23), from 11 to 11:45 a.m. in the Sterling Morton Library. Register at www.mortonarb.org, at the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-719-2468 during business hours. Cost: $4 member or $5 non-member per session, per child.
Winter Science Camps
Why is winter cool? Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade can find out during our Winter Science Camps. Sign up your child for three days of exploration on January 2to 4, 2013, from 9 a.m. to noon. Enrollment is now underway at www.mortonarb.org/education. Cost: $105 member or $130 non-member per child.
Here are details on Winter Science Camps for different age groups:
Frosty Frolics – for children in Kindergarten
How do winter birds and animals live and play through the long season? Come track animal footprints in the snow and search for signs of animal life. Inside, we will make our own tracks, create frost, and enjoy frosty treats.
Arctic Art Adventures – for children in first and second grades
Paint with ice and spray bottles, create an igloo, and discover the amazing science behind crystals and snowflakes.
Chillin’ Out with Nature – for children in first and second grades
Explore the Arboretum and learn the secrets of winter animals. Come play games, trek through the snow, and create wintery crafts.
Science of Why – for children in third and fourth grades
Become a junior snow scientist! Learn how crystals form, where plants go during winter, and why trees “sleep.”
Wintery Watercolors & More – for children in third and fourth grades
Winter is its own unique medium. Our artists will freeze artwork, make snow paintings, and use icicles as paint brushes.
Winter Nature Photography – for children in fifth and sixth grades
Learn the basics of nature photography as you explore the Arboretum in winter. Activities will take place both indoors and outdoors.
FOR FAMILIES
Family Twilight Adventures
Join us after hours at the Arboretum for our Creatures of the Night adventure on Saturday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. We will hike, do activities, take a tram ride through the woods after dark, and roast marshmallows. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult registrant; please plan to have at least one adult per five children. Classes will take place rain or shine. Register at www.mortonarb.org, at the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-719-2468 during business hours. Cost: $16 member or $23 non-member per person. Children 2 and under are free with an accompanying adult.
Fall Family Hikes
Explore trees and their stories along our hike to the Tree House Tales exhibit. Join us Saturday, November 3, at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m., or 3:30 p.m. for an hour-long hike. This event is designed for families with children ages 2 & up. Meet in Arbor Court. Cost: $5 member or $6 non-member per person, payable at the Visitor Center.
Feed the Birds
Entice your backyard birds to stay the winter with home-made birdfeeders! Each family will create and decorate several different types of feeders and learn how to identify some of our fine feathered friends. Meet us Saturdays, November 10 and 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Outpost. This event is designed for families with children ages 2-10. Register at www.mortonarb.org, at the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-719-2468 during business hours. Cost: $10 member or $17 non-member per person.
Free Admission on Thanksgiving Day
Need a way to burn off those Thanksgiving calories? The Morton Arboretum and enjoy free admission on Thursday, November 22, from 7 a.m. to sunset. Sneak away for some quiet time or bring the whole family for a hike. Please note that all buildings and the Children's Garden will be closed. Restrooms will be available in the west pavilion of the Visitor Center and the West Side shelter at Parking Lot 21.
Enchanted Railroad
An intricate railroad travels through an indoor winter wonderland. Kick off your Christmas festivities with a visit to our Enchanted Railroad. Join us from Friday, November 23, 2012, to Sunday, January 6, 2013 (with the exception of December 24-25). Free timed tickets are available in the Visitor Center; first come, first served.
Breakfast with Santa
Tickets are on sale now for our special holiday breakfast in the scenic Ginkgo Restaurant, complete with a visit from Santa! All children 12 years or younger will receive a gift from Santa. Join us December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, or 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. Purchase your tickets at www.mortonarb.org, in the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-725-2066 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. Ticket prices are $23 member adults, $29 non-member adults, $21 member child (2-12), or $25 non-member child (2-12). Prices do not include state sales tax or an 18 percent service fee.
Santa Supper and Holiday Shopping
Come enjoy Supper with Santa at The Morton Arboretum and then do holiday nature crafts and visit our Holiday trains display. You and your family will be put into the spirit of the holidays with our live music. Supper with Santa is Thursday, December 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Ginkgo Restaurant. The Arboretum Store will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., so stop in before or after your meal. Each purchase qualifies for an entry to win a gift basket of Frasier Fir home fragrance items — the perfect way to create traditional holiday scents in your home. The Enchanted Railroad will extend its hours until 5:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets today at www.mortonarb.org, in the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-725-2066 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. Ticket prices are $26 member adults, $32 non-member adults, $22 member child (2-12), or $26 non-member child (2-12). Prices do not include state sales tax or an 18 percent service fee. Free entry to the Arboretum after 4 p.m. for those wishing only to shop.
Breakfast in the Ginkgo
Make the most of your weekend by enjoying a delicious breakfast in the scenic Ginkgo Restaurant. Breakfast is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m. For our menu and pricing, please visit www.mortonarb.org.
FOR ADULTS
Library Exhibit: Jens Jensen — Landscapes for People
This exhibit features landscape drawings, archival photographs and modern color photographs to introduce visitors to Jen Jensen's philosophies. The exhibit demonstrates how Jensen's naturalistic, prairie-inspired style of landscape design has established him as a major figure in American landscape architecture and focuses on what Jensen always intended his landscapes to be for: people. The exhibit is open through December 28, 2012, Tuesdays–Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with admission.
Bird Walk
Identify birds that overwinter in Illinois. Discuss bird behavior and natural history during this guided walk. Join us Saturday, November 3, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. in the Thornhill Education Center. Register at www.mortonarb.org, in the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-719-2468 during business hours. Cost: $8 member or $10 non-member.
Beginner's Drawing Workshop: Landscape in Pastel
Learn pastel basics as you create a small landscape. Lunch in the Founder's Room is included. Join us Saturday, November 10, or Sunday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Thornhill Education Center. Register at www.mortonarb.org, in the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-719-2468 during business hours. Cost: $35 member or $42 non-member.
Holiday Wreath Sale
Brighten your home for the holidays! Join us for our annual Holiday Wreath Sale Friday, November 23, to Sunday, November 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in The Arboretum Store. Purchase unique outdoor holiday wreaths, available in four beautiful, natural designs. Quantities are limited and the sale is first-come, first-served. Pre-orders must be placed by November 1 through The Arboretum Store by calling 630-719-2454. Payment is required at time of ordering.
Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit
Admire more than 150 nature-inspired works in a variety of media. Members are invited to join us for a preview Friday, November 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Thornhill Education Center. Free with admission.
Art by Rozanne Trunk Show: Holiday
Visit with local artist Rozanne Priebe as she demonstrates her beautiful techniques for capturing nature and the holidays on her one-of-a-kind hand-painted canvases, rustic fence board art, cards, and prints. Priebe’s art will be available for purchase. Join us Saturday, November 24 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Arboretum Store.
Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat Exhibit
Come learn about the gifts that the world's endangered trees give us—and how you can join the Arboretum in saving them. This award-winning outdoor exhibit shows how the trees that we know and love are endangered in the wild. By protecting them, we help ourselves and the entire planet. Vanishing Acts was developed by The Morton Arboretum and will tour nationally. The exhibit is located in the Conifer Collection, just a short stroll off the Conifer Walk. Free with admission.
OUR SPONSORS
Navistar, Presenting Sponsor of the Children’s Garden; Sara Lee Foundation, Contributing Sponsor of Tree House Tales; Wente Family Estates, Featured Wine of the Arboretum; Target, Sponsor of “Garden Story Time;” Edy’s Ice Cream, Youth and Family Sponsor; and the Illinois Arts Council, Supporter of Arts Programs.
ADMISSION
Unless otherwise specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children’s Garden are free with Arboretum admission. Parking is free with admission. The 2012 rates for Non-members are:
- $12/adult, ($8 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
- $11/senior, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
- $9/child ($6 on Wednesday), ages 2-17
- Under age 2 is free
ABOUT THE MORTON ARBORETUM
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum on 1,700 acres. Plant collections, scientific research, and education programs support the mission to plant and conserve trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Throughout natural landscapes are specialty gardens, 16 miles of trails, and nine miles of roads. Other offerings include tree-focused events, activities, and services for adults, children, professionals, and communities. The Arboretum welcomes 800,000 visitors annually and serves 34,000 member households. Located 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open daily 7 a.m. until sunset. More information is available at www.mortonarb.org or 630-968-0074.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Sarah Clark | 630-719-5768 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it