Child & Family Events
Merry Lea hosts various nature-based programs for children, families and adults. Below are a list of our annual and recurring public events that you won’t want to miss!
We also host many one-time public events: past events have included goat cheesemaking, bird banding family workshop, searching for amphibians, fruit tree pruning workshop and more.
See our Event Calendar for all upcoming events
Tales & Trails
Hear a tale and hike a trail with your preschooler to discover the natural wonders around you together! Children and their caregiver(s) gather for a short story that incites curiosity before exploring different places around Merry Lea. This is a 1.5-hour monthly program led by a Merry Lea educator.
When: Last Tuesday of every month (except December)
Ages: Children ages 3-5 and their caregiver(s), with younger siblings welcome
Tales & Trails
Spring Break Day Camp
Looking for a way to keep your student entertained during spring break?
Merry Lea hosts a Spring Break Day Camp for elementary students. Students participate in hands-on activities grouped by age for fun, outdoor exploration.
When: April 1 - 5, 2024
Ages: K – 5th grade students
Spring Break Day Camp
Nature Fest
Get outside and celebrate the beautiful spring weather with the whole family. This fun-filled festival hosts a variety of activities that happen over two days during a weekend. There is canoeing, nature crafts, campfires, hikes and so much more!
When: May 10 & 11, 2024
Nature Fest
Conservation Leadership School
Merry Lea hosts high school students for a week focused on exploring what it means to conserve natural resources in northern Indiana. The week includes workshops, activities, and student-developed projects for developing communication and leadership skills. Participants explore our 1200-acre nature preserve through hiking, canoeing, camping, swimming, dipping for macroinvertebrates, banding birds, and more.
When: June 3 - 7, 2024
Ages: High school juniors & seniors
Conservation Leadership School
Nature Play Day
Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN) hosts an annual, statewide Nature Play Day designed to get people outside. Join Merry Lea at this free, family-friendly event for guided and self-guided activities to choose from. Dip for tadpoles, create a nature craft, go on a hike, work on a scavenger hunt, and much more. Come explore the natural world in your own backyard!
When: June 6, 2024
Nature Play Day
Junior & Teen Indiana Master Naturalist Summer Day Camp
This weeklong summer day camp includes activities like canoeing glacial lakes, exploring Merry Lea Teaching Farm, fishing, learning about current research projects, removing invasive species and more.
When: July 22 - 26, 2024
Ages: 9 - 15 years
Junior & Teen Indiana Master Naturalist Summer Day Camp
Luckey’s Landing Community Picnic
Merry Lea staff and Wolf Lake residents enjoy an evening by the lake while sharing stories, making s'mores, and dipping for critters in High Lake. This event brings the local community together for a fun, family-friendly summer evening.
When: August 16, 2024
Luckey’s Landing Community Picnic
Enchanted Forest
Join Merry Lea for an enchanting night hike where trail guides lead family groups for one-hour hikes by lantern light to meet real “live” animals on our trails. Costumed staff and volunteers talk about life as a native Indiana animal and answer questions children and adults may have. This family-friendly evening is a great alternative to Halloween events too scary for young children.
When: October 18 & 19, 2024
Enchanted Forest
Michiana Regional Seed Swap
Gardeners, farmers and plant enthusiasts in the Michiana region gather to exchange or acquire seeds, learn about seed saving techniques and gardening practices, and network with other plant growers. Merry Lea hosts this annual educational event, intended for everyone: from first-time gardeners to experienced growers.
When: January 18, 2025