Gavin King, right, shares a laugh while on a Wildflower ID hike. Photo provided.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams has released its summer event calendar. This summer’s suite of free events has something for everyone and every age. From a third grade bookworm to a gardening homeowner to an adventurous seventh grader, the Lilly Center has got them covered.

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18: Wildflower ID Hike
Hello Spring! What better way to celebrate this season than by joining the Lilly Center for a wildflower identification hike! The hike will be guided by Gavin King, stewardship assistant for ACRES Land Trust, where attendees will learn helpful tips to identify wildflowers and plants and other information. The group will stay on easy trails with minimal hills, so comfortable footwear is recommended as there will be lots of walking. The hike takes place at Wildwood — ACRES Land Trust in Silver Lake. Register for free here.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, June 5 and June 12: Stories & STEM
Join the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and the Warsaw Community Public Library for an elementary-aged story time and hands-on activities. Each week will be focus on a topic that showcases how important our local lakes, wetlands, and streams are to making our local community healthy and enjoyable. For more information, click here.

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1: Growing Together Part III: Rain Barrels
Making your garden self-sufficient with rain barrels not only helps the environment, it saves you money. Join for the third women’s workshop in the Growing Together series where the focus is on rain barrels. The speaker will share the benefits of installing a rain barrel on your property. Then, participants will make your own rain barrel with the provided materials. The cost of this workshop is $30 to help cover the costs of the rain barrel materials. Register here.

9:30-11 a.m. Friday, June 14: Critter Encounter: Fish
Join for a delightful and educational experience at Critter Encounter: Fish! This family-friendly event offers hands-on learning, engaging activities, art projects, delicious snacks, story time sessions and a unique opportunity to interact with fish. Don’t miss out on this fun and educational experience, come dive into the wonders of aquatic life. Register for free here.

10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19: Lake Fun With Lilly Day
Join for lake-related activities. Attendees will be able to fish, play water games and enjoy Winona Lake. The Lilly Center will provide fishing poles to borrow and bait to use, but feel free to bring your own. For more information, click here.

10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26: Swamp Stomp
In partnership with Warsaw Community Public Library, attendees will take an interpretive hike around the wetland at Grace College. Attendees will get their hands dirty collecting wetland soil profiles and creating a working wetland model. You are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, hats and sunscreen to protect yourself. For more information, click here.

9:30-11 a.m. Friday, June 28: Critter Encounter: Mudpuppy
This event offers a morning of engaging activities and hands-on learning. Enjoy mudpuppy-themed art projects, delicious snacks, story time sessions and a unique opportunity to interact with a mudpuppy. Bring the whole family for a memorable experience that combines education and fun. Register for free here.

9:30-11 a.m. Critter Encounter: Turtle
Bring the family to meet multiple aquatic critters and participate in hands-on activities, including games, story time and art projects. You will get to touch, hold, and/or feed the animals. Register for free here.