The Morton Arb

About

January 2013 Events

LISLE, IL (November 27, 2012) - Start the new year off right with our annual Husky Heroes, plus build a bird house, enjoy the Prairie Winds chamber concert, and join us for a lunch and learn as we discuss climate change in our collections.

FOR KIDS

Cool Kids Winter Play
Kids, come join us for some outdoor fun. This 15 minute guided glimpse into the world of outdoor play will depend on the day. Possibilities include snowman and snow fort building with natural materials or a garden scavenger hunt for natural objects. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through February 2013 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Children’s Garden. Weather permitting. Free with admission.

Gnome Hunt
When the animals hibernate, our garden gnomes come out to play a game of hide-and-seek. Help us hunt for our hidden gnomes. Check out the sign at the Children’s Garden entrance for details on how to play along. The gnomes will be out to play daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through February 2013. Free with admission.

Tree House Tales Exhibit
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, 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.

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 through March 2013 from 11-11:45 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 nonmember per session, per child.

Winter Science Camps
Why is winter cool? Kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade can find out during our Winter Science Camps. Sign up your child for three days of exploration on January 2 to 4, 2013 from 9 a.m. to noon. Enrollment is now underway at www.mortonarb.org/education. Cost: $105 member or $130 nonmember 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

Enchanted Railroad
An intricate railroad travels through an indoor winter wonderland. Kick off your Christmas celebration with a visit to our Enchanted Railroad. Join us daily through Sunday, January 6, 2013 (except December 24-25). Free timed tickets are available in the Visitor Center; first come, first served.

Bird House Workshop
Discover the perfect place for your bird house and explore some birds in winter on a short walk through the woods during our Bird House Workshop, Saturday, January 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Thornhill Outpost. Each family will receive their own wooden bird house to decorate and take home. For families with children ages 2 to 10; strollers welcome. Purchase your tickets today at www.mortonarb.org/calendar, in the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-725-2468 during business hours. Cost: $10 members, $17 nonmembers.

Husky Heroes
The huskies are back! See Siberian husky sled pulling and speed demonstrations Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Visitor’s Center area. Meet these amazing canines, take a family photo with the dogs and an authentic dog sled, and sign up to foster or adopt a husky without a home. Plus, watch the free film “The Last Great Race” about the husky's role in Alaskan history at noon, 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. Event will take place with or without snow. Please leave your pets at home. Free with admission.

Snowshoe and Cross-country Ski at The Morton Arboretum
Explore our 4.5 mile looped track via snowshoe or cross-country skis on days with four or more inches of snow on the ground. Equipment is available for rent in Arbor Court or bring your own. Cross-country ski rental fees for two hours: $13 member, $15 nonmember. Cross-country ski rental fees for all day: $18 member, $20 nonmember for all day. Snowshoe rental fees for two hours: $10 member (11 years and older), $8 member child (10 years and younger), $12 nonmember (11 years and older), $10 nonmember child (10 years and younger). Snowshoe rental fees for all day: $14 member (11 years and older), $12 member child (10 years and younger), $16 nonmember (11 years and older), $14 nonmember child (10 years and younger).

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

Winter Clearance Sale
Shop The Arboretum Store’s winter clearance sale. Our store is overflowing with great buys of home decor, holiday items, jewelry, apparel, books, and more. The sale runs January 4 to 27, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with the exception of January 7). Shop early for the best selection. As always, members will receive an additional discount.

Chamber Concert: Prairie Winds
The Prairie Winds blend powerful musical technique with humor and intriguing background information to create what one critic called "a unique approach to the shaping of the concert experience." After the concert, sample wines and meet the artists in the historic Founder's Room. The concert will be Saturday, January 6, 2013, from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. in the Thornhill Education Center’s Arbor Room. 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 to Friday. Cost: $23 members, $28 nonmembers. There is an additional $5 processing fee per order for phone and internet orders. Admission is included with the price of your ticket.

Lunch and Learn: Climate Change in the Collections
Explore the wonders of the natural world and enjoy a buffet lunch in our Ginkgo Restaurant during our 2013 Lunch and Learn opportunities. On Thursday, January 24, 2013, our topic will be Climate Change in the Collections. Robert Fahey, The Morton Arboretum's Forest Ecologist, will share findings from the Arboretum's collections and from other botanical gardens and discuss how trees from different geographic regions may have different responses to climate. Purchase your tickets today at www.mortonarb.org/calendar, in the Visitor Center, or by calling 630-725-2468 during business hours. Cost: $22 members, $29 nonmembers.

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; 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.

 

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Media Contacts
Sarah Clark | 630-719-5768 |   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it