Lake Katherine Offers Plenty of Summer Programs for Kids

Tucked away from the busy city streets and suburban traffic sits . 

If you happen to stop by on Wednesday afternoons this summer you are likely to find environmental educator Marian Sinkus and a group of young children out exploring their natural surroundings.

"I love it when they make a connection, like, 'Do you think it would live if we didn't scrub it with Dawn dish detergent?'", Sinkus says, referring to a projects where children learn about the effects of oil spills on wildlife.

During this particular project, children clean oiled feathers. Sinkus says it's different than just getting information from television or hearing about it.

Activities like these are done at the Wednesday programs and the camps held at Lake Katherine throughout the summer.

The Wednesday programs are divided up into two one-hour time slots--Grades K-2 1 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Grades 3 to 5 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $5 for each program.

There are four different camps: Kamp Habitat (ages 7-8), Junior Explorers (ages 9-10), Discovery Camp (ages 9-12) and Lake Katherine Nature Corps (ages 11-15 years old).

There are also opportunities for high school students to earn community service hours by being camp counselors.

Sinkus says that campers and participants can look forward to hiking, walking the waterfall, fishing, and for the older children canoeing, among other activities. She also offers tips for the campers. 

• Wear long pants. "People don't like the feeling of plants on their legs," she says.
• Come with enthusiasm.
• Come with the idea of walking, so shoes that are comfortable in your feet. .
• The wildlife belongs here. We do not eliminate wildlife just because it inconveniences. 

"Wildlife are just as valuable as your family is," Sinkus says. "The leaves of the trees…the outdoor experience, heals you, without you even knowing it. It has its own pace, and it's slower. They are deserving of your respect and consideration."

Patch has compiled a list of summer activities for Lake Katherine.

Camps ($90/session, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.); You must register by Thursday before the sessions begin.

Kamp Habitat (ages 7-8)

Discovery Camp (ages 9-12) Session I: June 27-July 1; Session II: July 25-29; Session III: August 8-12

Lake Katherine Nature Corps (ages 11-15) Session I: June 20-24; Session II: July 18-22

Wednesdays for Grades K-2 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., $5/session

June 29- Creek Walk

July 6- IL Fishes

July 13- Tom Sawyer Style Fishing

July 20- An Ant's Eye View

July 27- Common Pond Life

August 3- Creek Walk

August 10- Flying Wild

August 17- Insectigations

Wednesdays for Grades 3-5, 3 p.m. -4 p.m., $5/session

June 29- Creek Walk

July 6- IL Fishes

July 13- Tom Sawyer Style Fishing

July 20- An Ant's Eye View

July 27- Common Pond Life

August 10- Flying Wild  Creek Walk (3:45-4:45 p.m.)

August 17- Insectigations

Little Explorers one-hour program for parents and 3-6 year old children together, $5

A Walk in the Waterfall (rainboots provided, parents are advised to bring tennis shoes or boots) Thursday, July 14  9:30 a.m., Friday, July 15  9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 16  10:30 a.m.

The Forest Floor Thursday, July 28  9:30 a.m., Friday, July 29 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 30 10:30 a.m.

Salamanders and Snakes Thursday, August 11 9:30 a.m., Friday, August 12 9:30 a.m., Saturday, August 13 10:30 a.m.

Check Palos Patch's Event Calendar for additional area summer activities.