The final days of school are quickly counting down and summer vacation is approaching. Jesse Jones Park has announced the opening of registration for summer camp along with the May activities. Be sure to register early as the camp fills quickly.
Jesse Jones Summer Nature Camp Registration
Beginning Saturday, May 2 at 8 a.m.
Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to take part in a four-day outdoor program that includes games, crafts, and other learning activities. A parent or legal guardian must register in person with identification, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, and provide their child’s birth certificate. Priority is given to Harris County residents. Those living outside Harris County may register beginning Sunday, May 3. For camp dates and times, please visit www.hcp4.net/community/parks/jones/programs/kids/SNC.
First Saturday Birding
Saturday, May 2 at 7:45 a.m.
Early birds get to see the birds! Those ages 10 and older are encouraged to bring binoculars and a field guide to join a staff naturalist for an early morning glimpse of the park’s bird life and seasonal migrant species.
Jones Park Photo Contest Ribbon Presentation
Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m.
Attend the annual Nature Photo Contest Awards Presentation to see all of the entries and winning photos. Plan to learn some interesting nature photography tips and techniques from experts as they point out features of the best photos.
Tadpoles Club at Jesse Jones Park
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.
This popular program introduces preschool-aged children, ages 3 and 4 only, to nature using plant and animal specimens, puppets, short walks, crafts, songs, stories and finger plays. Adults must attend with participants and no older or younger siblings are allowed. Seating is limited and reservations are required for the month-long series.
Gardening Daze at Jesse Jones Park
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 8:30 a.m. to noon
Join Horticultural Coordinator Teri MacArthur at 8:30 a.m. for plant identification and weeding in the native flower beds surrounding the Nature Center, or help tend vegetables in the heritage garden at the pioneer homestead beginning at 9:30 a.m. with volunteer Doug Ebeling. Closed-toed shoes, gloves, a hat, sunscreen and water are recommended.
T’ai Chi at Jesse Jones Park
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27at 8:30 a.m.
Meet in the Outdoor Classroom next to the Nature Center for an hour of low-impact stretching, breathing and range of motion exercises based on the 24-step Yang form of T’ai Chi.
Father/Child Mother’s Day Craft
Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m.
Children ages 5 and older are welcome to create a special Mother’s Day gift with help from their fathers or grandfathers. There is a limit of one craft per family. Reservations are required and may be made beginning Wednesday, April 29.
Second Saturday Settlers: Natural Dyes
Saturday, May 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Creating dyes from natural materials was a way of introducing color into homespun clothing for the pioneer family. Other daily activities of early Texas settlers will also be demonstrated at the Redbud Hill Homestead.
Second Sunday Pickers
Sunday, May 10 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sing or strum along with the Second Sunday Pickers as they bring the Nature Center to life with acoustic music, including blues, country-and-western, bluegrass, folk and rock ‘n’ roll. Visitors of all ages are welcome to listen, sing along or bring an instrument to join in the fun.
Wildlife Babies at Jesse Jones Park
Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
Newborn creatures found in the wild sometimes give cause for concern. Do they need help from humans or are they better left alone? Join a staff naturalist and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to learn about these cuddly critters and when and how to intervene.
Invasives Beware
Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join the JJP Eradicators in recording the locations of invasive plant and animal species and removing those that threaten to crowd out native varieties at Jones Park. Participants ages 16 and older, or those accompanied by an adult, are welcome to attend.
Jesse Jones Park Volunteers Meeting
Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to join the Jesse Jones Park Volunteers (JJPV) at this month’s meeting in the Nature Center. Learn about volunteer roles available at the park and ways to get involved.
Wildlife Gardens
Saturday, May 23 from 9 a.m. to noon
Learn how local wildlife relies more on humans for maintaining their habitat, especially pollinators like bees. Discover the role of native plants in preserving habitat and tour the Nature Center’s wildlife gardens.
4th Saturday Settlers Volunteer Training: Log Splitting & Rail Fence Making
Saturday, May 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“Byvolunteers for volunteers” is the concept for this outdoor workshop open to those 16 years and older interested in volunteering in the homestead at Jones Park. Participants will visit the homestead to learn the current offerings of log splitting, rail fence making and basket weaving.
All About Texas Bats
Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon
Visitors of all ages are invited to join Diana Foss of Texas Parks & Wildlife as she distinguishes between bat fact and fiction, and highlights why these flying mammals are so beneficial to humans and the environment. Also find out how to become involved in bat monitoring.
With leadership from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center is a Harris County Precinct 4 facility located at 20634 Kenswick Drive in Humble. All programs are free of charge and open to the public. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability. Jesse Jones Park Volunteers (JJPV) welcomes applications from interested participants.For more information about the park or any of the activities and programs offered, please call 281-446-8588 or visit www.hcp4.net/community/parks/jones.
