Art in the Outdoors: Nature Journaling

Image of a group outside in the garden at the WheatonArts circle. There are 10 individuals completing stretches in front of a section of the garden. There are three more individuals standing and watching behind them. There are also small folding stools with blue fabric on top and a variety of bags belonging to the group.

Art in the Outdoors: Nature Journaling

An Art & Adventure Experience for Kids Ages 6 to 13

WheatonArts and CU Maurice River present a four-week nature journaling course!

Get kids outdoors this summer while growing their science knowledge, appreciation for nature, and artistic ability. Programming takes place two (2) days per week, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from August 7 to August 29. Wednesday sessions occur at four local nature trails and Thursday sessions take place at WheatonArts. The program is designed for youth ages 6 to 13, and children will produce one final project to be displayed in the WheatonArts pollinator garden. Students are expected to attend all sessions; parents may join if they wish! All materials are provided by CU Maurice River and are free to participants.

August 2024 Schedule

Image of a four children wearing life jackets gathered outside around a white bin filled with brown-tinted water. One child is holding something in hand over the water and the other children are all pointing and interacting with it. More children are gathered in the background of the image to watch.
Image of a child sitting at a white table participating in nature journaling. The child is coloring an image of a blue and brown dragonfly on top of a green leaf. A clear container of supplies rests on the table to the right of the child in front of a small booklet of dragonfly artwork. The container is filled with pens, pens, and markers. On the left side of the table is a white cup filled with green tinted water in front of a paint palette.

Adventure Wednesdays with CU Maurice River

Kids get outdoors to experience local natural wonders! Exploratory, hands-on nature walks are led by CU Maurice River Outdoor Educators on four local nature trails. They will search for and sketch the signs of nature found along each trail.

8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
August 7: Waltman Park: Blooms & Blades
August 14: Maurice River Bluffs: Six-legged Creatures
August 21: Parvin State Park: The Trees’ Feathered Friends
August 28: WheatonArts Nature Trail: Your Choice

Art Studio Thursdays with WheatonArts

It’s time to get creative in the studio! Students meet with an art instructor at WheatonArts Education Studio, where they will develop their field observation sketches from the day before into a nature journal entry. At the end of the program, participants will have their favorite work displayed in the WheatonArts pollinator garden.

8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
August 8, 15, 22, & 29: WheatonArts Pollinator Garden & Education Studio

Click Here to Register!

For questions, please email J.Wiberg@CUMauriceRiver.org or call 856.300.5331

Presented in partnership between CU Maurice River and WheatonArts.
Additional funding is provided by the National Park Service’s Wild & Scenic Rivers Program.

Image of three logos of the Art in the Outdoors: Nature Journaling programs on a white background. On the left side of the image is the logo for "CU Maurice River". The logo is comprised of a orange to yellow gradient circle with the letters "CU" inside of it. On the right side of the circle is light green text that reads "Maurice River". Underneath this text are three wavy blue streaks. Each streak gets longer in length as it extends down with the bottom streak beginning inside of the circle. The middle logo is for the "National Wild and Scenic Rivers System". The logo is a black outlined white vertical rectangle with a rounded top and bottom. The inside of the rectangle has a blue bottom portion and a green top. The colors are separated by white wave-like streaks. In the blue section is white text that reads "National Wild and Scenic Rivers System". The final logo on the right is the "WheatonArts and Cultural Center" logo. The logo is comprised of red text that reads "WheatonArts" with black text underneath that reads "And Cultural Center".