UPDATED October 5, 2024
Welcome to the Saskatoon Young Naturalists. 2024 is our 56th year of hands-on conservation education.
The Young Naturalists program is a collection of nature-based activities designed for kids aged 5 to 11 years and their families.
TO REGISTER for any of the activities listed below, please send an e-mail to naturekids@saskatoonnature.org (or saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com) (Both e-mail addresses go to the same location. I usually respond within 24 hours.) Registration is taken on a first-come basis and space is limited on most activities. At least one adult must accompany your child on each Young Naturalists activity. You can register for any Young Naturalists program at any time. Each Young Naturalist activity is an individual activity, separate from the other activities. You must register for each activity separately (however you can register for more than one activity at one time).
Young Naturalists’ activities are open to all ages and offer nature-based activities designed for families. Content is geared towards the 5 to 11 year old range. We operate on the belief that children’s (and parents’) learning is enhanced when the parents/guardians are present. Parent/Guardian supervision is required on all Young Naturalists’ Programs.
The Saskatoon Young Naturalists’ began in 1968. The Young Naturalists is a joint program with the Saskatoon Nature Society and the Saskatoon Zoo Society. Thanks to these organizations most programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Upcoming Programs:
Sandhill Crane Field Trips
Saturday, October 5 at 9:30 a.m. – Cancelled due to weather.
Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, October 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Lots of dates and times from which to choose! A series of field trip south of Saskatoon to look for migrating Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife. We’ll have binoculars and a spotting scope along to demonstrate how these tools can improve your wildlife watching experience.
Parent Advisory: we will be walking along the shoreline of the South Saskatchewan River on this field trip.
Space is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information.
At least one parent/guardian/adult must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Saw-whet Owl Field Trips
SOLD OUT
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED ON THIS FIELD TRIP
Mid-October (Dates to be announced).
Time: Evening (6:30 – 10:00 p.m.)
Cost: Free (Donations are appreciated).
(Some travel is involved. 80 km round trip)
Enrolment is limited. Advanced registration is required
E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
THIS FIELD TRIP IS NOW FULL. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
Naturalists at Night!
We will join naturalists Martin Stoffel and Bruce Boldt as they collect scientific information from migrating Saw-whet Owls. Saw-whets are an extremely cute owl so this program fills up quickly.
Enrolment is limited. Advanced registration is required.
Please note this is a “past the usual bedtime” late evening/night program and may not be suitable for all children. The Northern Saw-whet Owl does not start to migrate until after the first really cold night. They migrate at night, so they don’t like bright conditions. The actual date for this program will depend upon the temperature and the phase of the moon! Once you are registered I will keep you updated on when a date will be set.
E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information. At least one parent/guardian must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Bird Feeder Workshop
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Affinity Learning Centre (Forestry Farm Park & Zoo)
Cost: $10.00 / children members : $5.00 / child.
Space is limited. Pre-registration required.
To register: e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com
Learn about how a bird feeder can be used for winter bird watching and how you can become a Citizen Scientist to track bird populations! Bring a hammer and build your own bird feeder to take home. Enrolment is limited. Pre-registration is required. e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information.
Nut Allergy Alert: the materials used in this program may have been in contact with peanuts, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, and other seeds and tree nuts. This program is not suitable for persons with severe contact (not ingestion) nut allergies.
At least one parent/guardian must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Christmas Bird Count for Kids 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Multiple bird count walks throughout the day at the top of each hour)
Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo (Affinity Learning Centre)
NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE come-and-go program that is open to EVERYONE of all ages.
The Young Naturalists are hosting our 10th annual CBC4Kids – A Christmas Bird Count for Kids.
Meet at the Affinity Learning Centre. Between 10:30 and 3:00 we will be doing bird count walks through the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo at the top of each hour. (11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.) Stay for one round of bird counting or come for the whole day! Warm up with cookies and hot chocolate between bird walks.
Dress warmly and bring your binoculars. We have lots of spare sets of binoculars to loan out if you don’t have any. You don’t need to be an expert on birds. This is a great way to learn about winter birds and bird watching. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. No Admission fees and no registration required.
E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org for more information. At least one parent/guardian must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Looking ahead: 2025 Programs
Tracks and Scats – January 18, 2025
Chickadee Pishing – Saturday, February 1, 2025
Owl Pellet Dissection – March 8, 2025
Birdhouse Workshop – April 5, 2025
Crocus Hike – Friday, April 18, 2025 (date subject to change)
Pond Dipping -Saturday, May 3, 2025
Great Horned Owl Field Trip – May 2025 TBA
Mary Houston Bluebird Trail – Various dates throughout June
July Mid-Week Butterflies – July 9, 2025
August Mid-Week Butterflies – August 6, 2025
Sandhill Crane Field Trip – late September 2025
Saw-whet Owl Field Trip – October 2025
Bird Feeder Workshop – November 1, 2025
Christmas Bird Count for Kids – December 27, 2025
Young Naturalists Programs for Groups:
Due to enrolment restrictions, the Young Naturalists’ Program is normally unable to accommodate groups (the program is designed for families). If you have a special interest group (such as Scouts, 4-H, school group, etc.) please email saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to arrange a special program for your group. There may be a charge for this programming.