Crossroads at Big Creek will be busy this August with some regular programs, some new offerings, and some back by popular demand. This week, all programs feature water in some way. 

Saturday Science, our program for kids, families, and lifelong learners, will be a youth WaterFest! During the year-long Celebrate Water events sponsored by Healthy Water Door County several years ago, Crossroads hosted a huge fall event with a concert, films, speakers, exhibitors, and kids programs.  This Saturday from 2:00-4:00 we will pull out the kids programs and, rain or shine, they will get wet by participating in indoor and outdoor activities…and each will receive one of the few remaining tee-shirts (Youth L only) from that waterful day.

On Fridays, in response to popular demand, we will offer “Afternoons with Bertha,” presented by a costumed interpreter who will share stories of pioneer life along the banks of Big Creek at the Hanson House on Utah Street.

For the remainder of summer, we are reviving our free “Make and Take” program, which will be offered on Monday mornings at 10:00. This will, however, be more than a craft program. Each program will help kids learn about nature, and this week, we will learn about Insect Mouth Parts. Each participant will take home a hand-made project.

Not exactly new, Crossroads will be offering regular weekly nature hikes called  "Wandering Wednesday” at 1:00. The inaugural “wander” will be a visit to the bridges at the north end of the Big Creek Preserve. The summer and wetland wildflowers should be lovely, and the pace and terrain will be gentle.

We will continue with the Summer Nature programs, which feature water-related topics such as frogs, fossil hunting (best when rocks are wet!), and wading into wetlands.

Finally, the Door County Beekeepers will hold their Summer Social on Tuesday night. Max and Mark will facilitate a Q&A session. Discussions will likely focus on late summer hive management, honey harvesting, and preparing bee colonies for fall. The event is open to members and anyone interested in beekeeping. Hah! Not about water?

Water is essential for honeybees. Bees drink water, but in summer, they also need –desperately need --water to regulate the temperature in their hives. If hives are too hot, the queen and her broods will suffer, and extreme heat will melt the wax. Think sticky hot mess!!!!

On warm days, some of the worker bees stop gathering nectar and instead visit a water source, slurp up the liquid, store it in their crops, and fly back to the entrance of the hive, where other worker bees are waiting. These bees flap their wings vigorously to fan the water, creating air currents that cause the water to evaporate. As the water evaporates, it absorbs the heat from the air in the hive—natural air conditioning!!

Stay cool this month, and thanks again to evaporation, you will be cooler near the water and in the forest where transpiration is taking place.

Wednesday, August 14 

10:00 Summer Nature Program-Frogs

Join one of our naturalists for some free family-oriented activities and nature exploration. Through activities and wetland exploration, learn about the frogs that live at Crossroads. This event is suitable for all ages. Participants may get wet. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

1:00 pm Wandering Wednesday – Bridges of Big Creek

Join the naturalist on this weekly guided hike through the trails of Crossroads. This week, we will wander through the forests and over the bridges on the north end of the preserve. It is easy walking, and no reservations are required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

1:00 Wandering Wednesday – Bridges of Big Creek

Join the naturalist on this weekly guided hike through the trails of Crossroads. This week we will wander through the forests and over the bridges on the north end of the Big Creek Preserve. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Friday, August 16

2:30-4:30 “Afternoons with Betha” at the Hanson House

Delve into the past, recalling history by touring the Hans and Bertha Hanson House and hearing stories of Big Creek and The Cove Estuary from a costumed interpreter. Meet at the Hanson House. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors. 2022 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay

August 17

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm                           

Science Saturday – Waterfest!

Science Saturdays are back by popular demand! This week's topic is WaterFEST! Participants will try a wide variety of hands-on activities pertaining to water. This fest is appropriate for K-5 students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Participating kids will receive a free t-shirt (size Youth L only). Registration is not required. Open to the public and free, thanks to our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads,  2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Monday, August 19

10:00 am  Monday Make & Take

This week, learners of all ages will enjoy learning how insects eat by comparing insect mouthparts to familiar articles. Each participant will make a model of a mouthpart to take home. The event is suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. It is open to the public and free, thanks to our donors.

Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Tuesday, August 20

10:00 Summer Nature Programs: Finding Fossils

Join one of our naturalists for free family-oriented activities and nature exploration as we look for fossils, which is easiest when the rocks are wet! Each family will receive a free Door County Fossil Pamphlet to take with them for future fossil hunting.  Suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

6:30 pm Door County Beekeeper Club: Summer Social

The August Door County Beekeepers Club meeting will be a summer social event. It will be a nice opportunity for newer members to get acquainted and talk with other members about beekeeping. While there will be no formal program, Max and Mark will facilitate a Q&A session for all attendees. Discussions will likely focus on late summer hive management, honey harvesting, and preparing bee colonies for fall. The event is open to members and anyone interested in beekeeping. Members are asked to bring a snack to share. Meet Crossroads at Big Creek 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay