Get ready to close out 2024 with some fun filled and educational programs lead by the park staff.
Download the CALENDAR HERE
Download the PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS HERE
Monday, December 2nd Mud Pond Hike 10:00am
Join an Educator on a beginner 2.1 mile hike from Nature Trail to Mud Pond where we will see some beaver lodges, maybe some water fowl, and lots of Hemlock trees. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather- sunscreen, bug spray and water-resistant hiking shoes. Bring a snack and plenty of water. This can be for all ages, but be aware of the distance, the up and down terrain and weather. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for kids (cash or check). Please reserve your spot 24-hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, December 4th New Moon through the Observatory 6pm
Come to the beach to take a view at the dark sky with our telescope. We have a volunteer astronomer to teach us about the stars! If you have a telescope at home that you need help troubleshooting, the astronomer is welcoming people to bring there’s if they have any questions. The program is for all ages $1/ child and $5/ adult. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Fridays, December 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th Wiggly Wanderers 9:30am *Recurring Program*
Wiggly Wanderers is a casual and fun program that is offered to walking toddlers, carriable babies and their caregivers. This will be a beginner’s hike/wander series with not too much distance for toddlers who are ready to move and caregivers who are willing and able to baby wear and/or carry their toddler if their legs get too tired. Strollers will not work for these programs. We meet at the nature center parking lot. $1 per child. Registration is not required for this program.
Friday, December 6th Campaign Sign Bird/Bat Houses 12:00pm
There’s a big bump in plastic waste after the election! This post-election season bring in your signs and join a nature center employee in upcycling them to give birds and bats a home. We will provide instruction and art supplies for house customization. Open to All Ages. No Registration required for this event.
Saturday, December 7th Friends Christmas Craft 10:00-12:00pm
Come to the Nature Center for some crafts with the Friends of Moreau Lake. The crafts will be winter terrariums and other holiday surprises! This is a free event and registration is not required.
Sunday, December 8th Kneehigh Naturalist 10:00am
Geared toward children aged 3-10, (siblings welcome) Kneehigh Naturalist is a fun introduction to nature. We meet in the Nature Center where we begin by reading a book or two and then take a short walk together outdoors, keeping our eyes open for animal tracks, rocks, feathers, and other signs of the natural world around us. Dress for the weather. The cost is $1 per child (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 9th Baker to Moreau Overlook Hike 10:00am
Join an educator on a moderate-hard 2.5 mile hike from Baker Trail to Moreau Overlook with a beautiful view of our lake from above. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with sunscreen, bug spray and water-resistant hiking shoes. Bring a snack and plenty of water. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This hike is for people 13+. The cost is $5 for 18+ (cash or check). Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, December 11th Beginner Birding at Big Bend 8:30am
Calling all beginner birders! Bring your binoculars if you have them and we will check out what birds are still hanging around this time of year at our new preserve. This will be a short start-and-stop hike. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. Geared toward ages 13+. Program is $5 per adult, $1 for under 18 (cash or check). Please reserve your spot 24-hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Thursday, December 12th Homeschool Pop-up: Evergreens 10:00am
Join an educator at the Nature Center to learn about the wonderful world of our Evergreen Trees in New York State. This program is geared toward homeschool students ages 6-12 years old, but all are welcome. $1 per child when you arrive (cash or check). Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Saturday, December 14th Sustainable Fashion 10:00am
Want to make your clothing consumption more eco-friendly but don’t know where to start? Join a Nature Center educator for a lesson on the history and cost of fast fashion, and what you can do to slow it down. This program is for ages 13+. Program is $5 per adult, $1 for under 18 (cash or check). Please reserve your spot 24-hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Saturday, December 14th Visible Mending 11:00am
Have some holey clothes that weren’t intended to be that way? Join a Nature Center employee for a lesson on “sashiko” the Japanese stitching style of making visible mends to your clothes. This program is for ages 13+. Program is $5 per adult, $1 for under 18 (cash or check). Please reserve your spot 24-hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Sunday, December 15th “Ugly” Sweater DIY 11:00am
Bring in an old sweater/sweatshirt OR a recently purchased one (check out local thrift shops) and join a nature center educator in making some festive clothing. Holiday adornments such as bells, felt snow and gingerbread people, and pompoms will be provided at the Nature Center. Open to All Ages. This program is $1 per child, $5 for 18+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Sunday, December 15th Full Moon Hike 5:00pm
Join a park educator on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Cold” moon rising above the mountains! This hike is family friendly and well-behaved dogs on a 6 foot or shorter leash are welcome. $1 per child, $5 per adult is payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. To reserve your spot call 518-793-0511- the earlier the better as this is a popular program and it fills up quickly.
Tuesday, December 17th Eagle Watch 9:00am
Join a park educator on a convoy-style journey along the Hudson River to try to spot our local Bald Eagles. We will be getting in and out of vehicles at a few locations and, with a little luck, viewing the eagles through binoculars and a scope so make sure to bring your hat and gloves! If you have binoculars bring them, we do have a couple of pair to pass around as well. The cost is $5 per adult payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Friday, December 20th Snowflake Making 11:00am
Looking for a fun winter activity? Join Nature Center Educators in cutting and folding beautiful snowflakes. They make perfect window decorations and place settings. Open to all Ages and free. Registration is not required for this event.
Saturday, December 21st Making a Lantern for Winter Solstice 11-2pm
Drop by the nature center to learn about the Winter Solstice, why we have it, and how to make the most out of the shortest day of the year! Pop in anytime from 11-2 to learn and make a paper lantern, no registration required. If you have any questions call the office at 518-793-0511
Sunday, December 22nd Walking in a Winter Wonderland (Nature Trail) 12:00pm
Join a Nature Center employee for a 3 mile peaceful walk around the lake. We will ID any plants and animals we see along the path and learn about the winter activities of Moreau’s regular animal inhabitants. Open to all Ages, just keep distance in mind. The cost is $5/adult, $1/child payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Sunday, December 22nd Camping Stories by the Fire, 4:00-5:00pm: Kid’s stories, 5:00-6:00pm: 13+ Stories
Join an educator by the fire for some treats and stories! We will have some children’s books to read by the fire from 4:00-5:00pm and from 5:00-6:00pm we are encouraging people to bring their favorite camping stories to tell the group. They can be stories about camping at Moreau Lake or any New York State Park! The cost is $5/adult, $1/child payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 23rd Kneehigh Naturalist 10:00am
Geared toward children aged 3-10, (siblings welcome) Kneehigh Naturalist is a fun introduction to nature. We meet in the Nature Center where we begin by reading a book or two and then take a short walk together outdoors, keeping our eyes open for animal tracks, rocks, feathers, and other signs of the natural world around us. Dress for the weather. The cost is $1 per child (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, December 25th Christmas Day Hike at Big Bend 1:00pm
Looking for something different to do this Christmas day? Bundle up and join an educator on an easy-going, family friendly walk at Big Bend! This hike will go as long as we can depending on who shows up! At most it could be 3 miles on flat ground. We may hear and see birds (maybe even an eagle!), animal tracks, shells, feathers; there’s no telling what Nature might gift us with. There is no fee for this walk, but please reserve your spot in advance by calling 518-793-0511. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead.
Friday, December 27th Crafts with the Friends 11:00am
Come to the nature center for some more crafting on your winter break! Fun for all ages. This program is free and registration is not required.
Monday, December 30th Eagle Watch 9:00am
Join a park educator on a convoy-style journey along the Hudson River to try to spot our local Bald Eagles. We will be getting in and out of vehicles at a few locations and, with a little luck, viewing the eagles through binoculars and a scope so make sure to bring your hat and gloves! If you have binoculars bring them, we do have a couple of pair to pass around as well. The cost is $5 per adult payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 30th Beaver Hike 1:00pm
Did you know that MLSP is home to a thriving population of North America’s largest rodent? We will walk along the Wetlands Walk and Mud Pond trails where we can view our beaver’s dam and lodges while we learn all about how they live, love, and learn. This program is for people of all ages, it’s an easy-moderate hike of about 2.5 miles. Pay $1child and $5/adult (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Tuesday, December 31st Reptile Profile 10:00am
Join an educator in the nature center to meet our resident reptiles! We at Moreau take care of six New York native turtles and three snakes that cannot be released into the wild and are wonderful little educators. Learn about their exciting lives, what they like to eat, and what they use for shell-ter at the Nature Center. This program is for all ages. The cost is $5 for adults, $1 for children (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please reserve your spot 24 hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, January 1st First Day Hike 10:00am
We will be hiking around our beautiful Moreau Lake starting the hike all together at the park office to kick off the new year! There will be a section of the hike that allows people to split off if they want to make it a shorter loop of about 2.1 miles on a flatter trail or they can continue on the longer hike of 3 miles, and both will end either at the Warming Hut or back to the Park Office. This is a free event, but pleaser register in advance.