Events – Page 6 – Nature Discovery Center

Shorebirding Along the TX Coast

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

NDC Board Member and expert birder Cin-Ty Lee is generously guiding two fall migration field trips to the upper Texas coast for our members and for other interested birders from the community. Cin-Ty is offering these trips as a fundraiser for the Nature Discovery Center. All proceeds from the trip will be used to support our nature education programs.

October 15, 2022 –

Shorebirding Along the Texas Coast

If you ever wanted to learn the art of shorebird identification, join us on a day long excursion to the upper Texas coast. We will meet at Audubon’s Bolivar Flats bird sanctuary and work our way up the coast and end the day at Anahuac NWR. On this trip, Cin-Ty Lee will teach the basics of finding and identifying shorebirds, gulls and terns. Depending on weather conditions, we may also stop by High Island to search for migrating songbirds.

Meeting time: 7:45 am (note that this is an all day trip, but you are free to break off at any time)

Meeting locations: We will meet at or near the field trip sites. Exact meeting locations details will be sent to registered participants in advance.

Age Range: Adults and families with children ages 7 and up. Every person who attends will need to register and pay for a spot. Children pay the full price for registration, and must be accompanied by a registered adult in order to participate. These trips will be perfect for both advanced and beginning birders.

Cost: members $80/person; non-members $100/person

Registration: Advance registration is required for all attendees.

Register Now

Program Size Limit: 20 people

Bring: bug spray, binoculars, snacks and a lunch

Meet Your Birding Guide

Cin-Ty Lee is a professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University, where he teaches a wide variety of courses ranging from geology to bird biology. He spends much of his spare time studying, photographing and painting birds and other wildlife. He has written numerous articles on bird identification, focusing on some of the more difficult bird groups, such as loons, immature orioles, pewees, pipits, dowitchers, and recently, Empidonax flycatchers.

Fall Migration Birding Trip

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

NDC Board Member and expert birder Cin-Ty Lee is generously guiding two fall migration field trips to the upper Texas coast for our members and for other interested birders from the community. Cin-Ty is offering these trips as a fundraiser for the Nature Discovery Center. All proceeds from the trip will be used to support our nature education programs.

September 17, 2022 – Fall Migration Along the Texas Coast

Join Cin-Ty Lee in search of fall migrants along the Texas coast. We will visit Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary in search of migrating songbirds, where we will work on identifying flycatchers and immature warblers. Afterwards, we will explore coastal wetlands for migrating shorebirds. Mid-September is the time for encountering unusual vagrants.

Meeting time: 7:45 am (note that this is an all day trip, but you are free to break off at any time)

Meeting locations: We will meet at or near the field trip sites. Exact meeting locations details will be sent to registered participants in advance.

Age Range: Adults and families with children ages 7 and up. Every person who attends will need to register and pay for a spot. Children pay the full price for registration, and must be accompanied by a registered adult in order to participate. These trips will be perfect for both advanced and beginning birders.

Cost: members $80/person; non-members $100/person

Registration: Advance registration is required for all attendees.

Register Now

Program Size Limit: 20 people

Bring: bug spray, binoculars, snacks and a lunch

Meet Your Birding Guide

Cin-Ty Lee is a professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University, where he teaches a wide variety of courses ranging from geology to bird biology. He spends much of his spare time studying, photographing and painting birds and other wildlife. He has written numerous articles on bird identification, focusing on some of the more difficult bird groups, such as loons, immature orioles, pewees, pipits, dowitchers, and recently, Empidonax flycatchers.

Willow Waterhole Bird Survey

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

The Nature Discovery Center partners with Houston Audubon to conduct monthly surveys at Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve, a 290-acre park on the site of a Harris County Flood Control District retention pond project. Participants can help by either spotting birds or helping to identify them on this 2.5 hour long survey. This is a great way to get involved with Houston’s citizen science community. To see the results from past surveys at the site, visit eBird. These surveys are open to experienced and beginning birders alike. Experienced birders lead groups of participants to try to cover as much of the park as possible.

Survey Day, Date & Time: 3rd Saturdays of every month except December.

April through September at 7am, October through March at 8 am

Meeting Location: Meet in the parking lot of the Gathering Place at 5310 South Willow Drive, Houston TX 77035

Cost: FREE

Registration: No registration is required. This is a drop in program.

Bring: Binoculars

Swift Night Out – NDC

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

Join retired Senior NDC Naturalist Mary Ann Beauchemin for a family friendly Swift Night Out at the Center. We will watch Chimney Swifts swoop and soar over our heads and count them as they enter their roost at the south end of Russ Pitman Park.

Day, Date & Time: Saturday, August 24 at 7:40 pm

Program Location: Meet at the Chimney Swift Kiosk near the playground next to our Evergreen St. Parking lot at the south end of the park.

Registration: No registration required. This is a FREE drop-in program.

Bring: Bug spray, folding chair, a water bottle, and a snack if you’d like. Binoculars are optional because the swifts will be visible with be naked eye.

Park After Dark Night Hike

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

Family Night Hikes

Friday, October 20 at 8:00 pm REGISTER

Learn about the animals that are out in Russ Pitman Park once the sun goes down. Bring your family for a guided night hike through the park. Programs include an introduction to the animals we are likely to find and the best ways to find them, followed by a guided walk through the park.

Age Restrictions: These night “hikes” are perfect for adults and families with children ages 4 and up. Every attendee must register and pay for a spot. This is not a drop off program. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult attendee.

Cost: members $10/person; non-members $12/person (Note: You must be Family Level or higher NDC members to receive the member discount.)

Registration: Advance registration is required.

Program Size Limit: 15 people

Bring: flashlight, bug spray

Note: Please do not leave valuables in your car. The Center is not responsible for any unattended items left in vehicles in our parking lot.

This program may be subject to cancellation in the event inclement weather could pose a risk to participants.

For cancellation, refund and other camp policies, please read our FAQ for Classes and Camps.

Curious Kids (Fall)

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

Are you raising a Curious Kid? Join us out back at the pavilions where we’ll explore, ask, discover, experiment, and more in our pre-K science program! Our children’s programs feature science-rich, weekly, stand-alone classes that offer you the flexibility to sign-up for individual classes that meet your hectic schedules or for specific topics that inspire your children.

Program Days & Times: Tuesdays at 10 am

Program Location: Outside under the NDC Pavilions behind the Center

Age Restrictions: 3 to 5 years old with an adult caregiver

Cost: members $15 per class; non-members $20 per class (Note: You must be Family Level or higher NDC members to receive the member discount.)

Advance registration: Required.

REGISTER

Program Size Limit: 10 kids

Fall 2024 Class Schedule

Date	Topic
9/17	Terrific Trees
9/24	Dazzling Dragonflies
10/01	Amazing Armadillos
10/08	Bird Navigation
10/15	Animal Colors
10/22	Beautiful Beetles
10/29	Nocturnal Animals
11/05	Teeth & Beaks
11/12	Horns & Antlers
11/19	Fall Nature
	THANKSGIVING BREAK
12/03	Bunny Buddies
12/10	Winter Nature
12/17	Winter Crafts

REGISTER

For cancellation, refund and other camp policies, please read our FAQ for Classes and Camps.

Note: If this class schedule does not work for you and you can get a group of 5 or more children together, we can try to arrange a different day or time. Email Eric Duran to see if a class can be arranged.

Mess Makers (Fall)

2022-08-01 Maura Denman

Messy, sensory play is an important part of child development. Together with Ms. Mo and our NDC volunteers, you will explore and create with all kinds of messy things. We will make works of art as well as just good old messy fun with a mix of natural and man-made materials. After we make messes together, you’ll go home clean!

Program Location: Outside under the NDC Pavilions behind the Center

Age Restrictions: 3 to 7 years old with an adult caregiver

Advance registration: Required.

REGISTER

Program Size Limit: 15 kids

Bring: refillable water bottle, towel depending on topic

Wear: play clothes that can get dirty/stained

Fall 2024 Schedule

Fall Sundays at 10 am or 1 pm

09/15 – Foamy Fun
09/29 – Clay Play
10/13 – Smells Like Fall **NEW TOPIC**
11/03 – Fort Fun
11/17 – Stamp, Stomp, Smash
12/01 – Land Art & Loose Parts
12/15 – Gingerbread Messes **NEW TOPIC**

Cost: Members $22; Non-members $27 (Note: You must be Family Level or higher NDC members to receive the member discount.)

REGISTER

This program may be subject to cancellation in the event inclement weather could pose a risk to participants.

For cancellation, refund and other camp policies, please read our FAQ for Classes and Camps.

Mini Camp: Birds

2022-02-28 Maura Denman

Because they are short and sweet and you can register for single or multiple days, these mini-camps are perfect for kids who are too young for our regular camps or who have never attended full day, week long camps before.

Your new campers will get to experience what Summer Science Camp is all about in short sessions where they will be engaged and entertained with hands-on activities, games, art projects, new friends, and more all while learning the ropes of camp!

Weather permitting, campers will spend the majority of their time outdoors.

Ages: 4 to 7

Times: Camps run from 9 am to 12 noon. We can not offer pre or post camp care at this time.

May 29 – Invertebrates
May 30 – Fish
May 31 – Herps (Reptiles & Amphibians)
June 1 – Birds
June 2 – Mammals

Cost / day: Family Level (or higher) Members $40 / Non-members $50

Limit: 20 campers in two groups of 10 with one camp instructor and one counselor per group

Advance registration is required. REGISTER

Please notify the Center via phone call (713.667.6550) and detailed email (mail@naturediscoverycenter.org) of any change in your plans or need to withdraw from camp for any reason. Read our FAQ for Camp Registrations Here (includes cancellation and refund policies)

Camp: Texas Animals

2022-02-28 Maura Denman

Send the kids (ages 5 to 10) with their lunch and a refillable water bottle and we’ll do the rest. Your children will be engaged and entertained by our science and nature themed camps, featuring hands-on activities, games, art projects, new friends, and more. Weather permitting, campers will spend the majority of their time outdoors. We will follow any currently relevant COVID safety guidelines that have been approved by the City of Bellaire.

Ages: 5 to 10 years old

Days & Times: Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm

Camp Cost (includes a t-shirt – click to see the shirt): Wildlife Family Level and above Member Discount $290/week or Nonmembers $370/week

Advanced registration is required. REGISTER

Registration is now open for Family Level NDC Members and above (as of February 28)

Registration opens for Non-members on March 7

Please read our FAQ for Camp Registrations here before you register (includes cancellation and refund policies).

2022 Dates and Topics

Jun 6 – 10	Various Vertebrates
Jun 13 – 17	Nocturnal Animals
Jun 20 – 24	Plants and Animals
Jun 27 – Jul 1	Science of Nature
July 4 week	Break Week – no camps this week
Jul 11 – 15	Texas Animals
Jul 18 – 22	Various Vertebrates
Jul 25 – 29	Nocturnal Animals
Aug 1 – 5	Plants and Animals
Aug 8 – 12	Science of Nature
Aug 15 – 19	Texas Animals

Camp Size and Structure: Limit 20 total campers per week. Campers will be divided in two groups of 10 campers that will have separate camp spaces at the Center. Each group will have the same camp instructor and teen counselor for the entire week. Note: At the time of registration, you must list the first and last names of any friends that your child would like in their camp group. We can not guarantee that any two kids will be placed in the same group without this information up front.

What to Bring: lunches and water bottles. Depending on Covid conditions at the time of camp and current City of Bellaire Covid policies, campers may be recommended to wear masks (but we can not require it).

Please notify the Center via phone call (713.667.6550) and detailed email (mail@naturediscoverycenter.org) of any change in your plans or need to withdraw from camp for any reason.

Camp: Science of Nature

2022-02-28 Maura Denman

Send the kids (ages 5 to 10) with their lunch and a refillable water bottle and we’ll do the rest. Your children will be engaged and entertained by our science and nature themed camps, featuring hands-on activities, games, art projects, new friends, and more. Weather permitting, campers will spend the majority of their time outdoors. We will follow any currently relevant COVID safety guidelines that have been approved by the City of Bellaire.

Ages: 5 to 10 years old

Days & Times: Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm

Camp Cost (includes a t-shirt – click to see the shirt): Wildlife Family Level and above Member Discount $290/week or Nonmembers $370/week

Advanced registration is required. REGISTER

Registration is now open for Family Level NDC Members and above (as of February 28)

Registration opens for Non-members on March 7

Please read our FAQ for Camp Registrations here before you register (includes cancellation and refund policies).

2022 Dates and Topics

Jun 6 – 10	Various Vertebrates
Jun 13 – 17	Nocturnal Animals
Jun 20 – 24	Plants and Animals
Jun 27 – Jul 1	Science of Nature
July 4 week	Break Week – no camps this week
Jul 11 – 15	Texas Animals
Jul 18 – 22	Various Vertebrates
Jul 25 – 29	Nocturnal Animals
Aug 1 – 5	Plants and Animals
Aug 8 – 12	Science of Nature
Aug 15 – 19	Texas Animals

Camp Size and Structure: Limit 20 total campers per week. Campers will be divided in two groups of 10 campers that will have separate camp spaces at the Center. Each group will have the same camp instructor and teen counselor for the entire week. Note: At the time of registration, you must list the first and last names of any friends that your child would like in their camp group. We can not guarantee that any two kids will be placed in the same group without this information up front.

What to Bring: lunches and water bottles. Depending on Covid conditions at the time of camp and current City of Bellaire Covid policies, campers may be recommended to wear masks (but we can not require it).

Please notify the Center via phone call (713.667.6550) and detailed email (mail@naturediscoverycenter.org) of any change in your plans or need to withdraw from camp for any reason.

Events Listing

Shorebirding Along the TX Coast

Fall Migration Birding Trip

Willow Waterhole Bird Survey

Swift Night Out – NDC

Park After Dark Night Hike

Curious Kids (Fall)

Fall 2024 Class Schedule

Mess Makers (Fall)

Mini Camp: Birds

Camp: Texas Animals

2022 Dates and Topics

Camp: Science of Nature

2022 Dates and Topics

Recent Posts

Camp: Science of Nature