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Experience Nature

From getting up-close to their favorite animals, experiencing Texas habitats, making nature inspired art, and adventuring through the trails at the Bob Jones Nature Center, it's easy to see why kids LOVE the Junior Naturalist Spring Break Camp!

Explore our prairie, pond, and forest with Master Naturalists and educators. 

Special Animal Guests

Camp Wrap-Up Featuring ZOONIVERSITY

Voted "The Best of the Metroplex Family Choice Awards in 2015," Zooniversity will introduce campers to special critters while they hold them and get to know them personally! 

Space is limited 

Hurry and claim your spot to become a Junior Naturalist today by registering here!

  • Where: Bob Jones Nature Center, 355 E. Bob Jones Road, Southlake, TX 76092

  • When: March 15 to 17, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
  • Who: Ages 7 to 10
  • Class Size: 4 to 12
  • Cost: $150 for 3 days of learning and fun! That's just $50 a day!
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Take Your Science Class to the Next Level

Teachers and home school educators: Enhance your students learning with a field trip to the Bob Jones Nature Center!

As one of DFW's greatest nature preserves, we strive to strengthen classroom instruction with hands-on learning opportunities in the field.

Monthly themes are prepared in advance, so it is easy to register and fit a theme into your lesson plan. Field trips are customized depending on grade level. See upcoming field trip themes in the section below.

Astronomy
February Field Trip Theme
 
Student can discover the universe through astronomy. Not only is learning about astronomy fun, it opens minds to even more topics like physics, geology and art.
 
Stretch your student's minds as they contemplate planets, stars and nebulae.  
 
Register your field trip for Thursday, February 11 or Thursday, February 25.

Soil Science
COMPOST
March Field Trip Theme

Soil is a part of every student's day but is rarely noticed!
 
At the Bob Jones Nature Center we explore and soil science! Students can learn about soil formation, composition and properties.
 
Register your field trip for Thursday, March 10 or Thursday, March 24.

Life Cycles
April Field Trip Theme

Investigate the mechanisms behind the many life cycles found in nature. 
 
Students learn to identify the different stages in animal and plant life through engaging hands-on lessons.
 
Field trips for this topic are available on Thursday, April 7 and Thursday, April 21.

Eco Systems
May Field Trip Theme
 
Students love to visit the Nature Center for a hands-on and interactive experience examining the Cross Timbers ecosystem.
 
Discover the many wild animals and plants that thrive in our backyards and how they interact together!
 
Register for an Eco Systems field trip on Thursday, May 12 and Thursday, May 26.

Easy Registration!

Act now and email us to register for a field trip at the Bob Jones Nature Center before spaces are filled.
 
Custom field trips are also available, just email us for more information.

Field Trip Details

Field Trip Length 

A two-hour block of time between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm should be requested for booking by calling 817-491-6333 or responding to this email.
 
Unless otherwise planned for, field trips at BJNC are about 2 hours in length. As long as no pressing time issue exists, they may run slightly shorter or longer depending on weather conditions and the dynamics of the group. We are on the trail and outside for most, if not all, of the trip.
 

Student to Teacher Ratio

The adult to child ratio is one BJNC instructor per twenty children, plus the adult chaperones from your facility (a ratio of no less than 1 adult for every 10 children).
  • Minimum class size: 4 students
  • Maximum class size: 30 students, unless additional adults attend to help supervise

Field Trip Pricing

A deposit of 50% of the total cost must be paid along with the submission of your reservation forms. Deposit submission confirms your reservation is complete. Payment can be made in person, by mail, or by phone at (817) 491-6333. The remaining balance will be due by the date of your field trip.
  • A field trip for 10 or less students (plus chaperones) starts at $70.00
  • A field trip for 20 or more students (plus chaperones) starts at $140.00
  • Each additional student will be charged $3.00

Registration

Please call 817-491-6333 or email admin@Bjnc.org to register for a field trip. We will email you a Field Trip Reservation Form.
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Join the Bob Jones Nature Center for our Junior Naturalist Spring Break Camp to get an up-close look at animals in their habitats, make nature inspired art, and enjoy nature walks. Explore our prairie, pond, and forest with our Master Naturalists and educators. Camp wrap-up will feature ZOONIVERSITY - voted "The Best of the Metroplex Family Choice Awards in 2015." Zooniversity will introduce campers to special creatures while they hold them and get to know them personally!

Sign up by midnight on February 14th to get $10 off of your registration price. 

Space is limited so hurry up and claim your spot to become a Junior Naturalist today by registering here!

 

Camp Details 

Where: Bob Jones Nature Center

When: March 15 to 17, 10:00am to 2:00pm

Who: Ages 7 to 10

Class Size: 4 to 12

Cost: $140 Early Bird (before February 15th), $150 General Admission

 

Register by Feb. 14 at midnight and get $10 off! Call 817-491-6333 for more information.

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Designer David Kimmel is a local artist who has cultivated a love of plants and art since childhood. In 2002, he began using his vision to create beautiful, organic forms with nature in the floral industry. He launched David Kimmel Design in 2012 and has had his floral installations featured in the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth as well as the Dallas Museum of Art. In 2015, he was published in the renowned international magazine Grace Ormonde and named the Couture Designer of the South. 
 
David will also create a sculptural arrangement out of organic elements that represents the Bob Jones Nature Center and the Cross Timbers Forest. Come and explore and learn to appreciate even the smallest of details through the artist's eye. 
 
On February 28, 2016 at 10:00 am David will lead a hike through the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve in Southlake and speak to all the aspects of the design process. If you have never explored the trails while stopping to admire the complex beauty of nature through an artist’s eye, make sure to attend! Tickets are $20 per person. R.S.V.P. by calling 817-491-6333. Spaces are limited so please register now!

View David's designs online.

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Infants and toddlers are natural scientists. Parents and teachers can help young learners explore and discover more about things that interest them. As a parent, you can support your child's early learning and school readiness by participating in science classrooms.

The Bob Jones Nature Center is now offering our Junior Explorers class for babies and toddlers. This is a unique "Mommy and Me" experience for parents and their child, infant to 3-years-old. The Junior Explorers environmental education class is held once a month with nature and science instructor, Robin Swindle. You and your child will interact with other participants, play with sensory toys, use interactive videos and curriculum and explore our trails.

Each class only costs $5. You can register for this class by calling 817-491-6333.

Explore With Me Club Members of the Nature Center are offered FREE admission to the Junior Explorers Class! Become an Explore With Me Club Member by purchasing a Family/Family Plus Membership along with the Mommy and Me Add-On at http://bjnc.org/membership.php or by calling 817-491-6333.

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Welcome to a unique opportunity to explore and discover. Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is here to help you appreciate the beauty and understand the importance of our Cross Timbers ecosystem. 

Are you a true beginner of photography? Try the four-session Introductory to Photography series, which guides students to progress beyond taking snapshots to creating photographs by focusing on composition, perspective, and camera operation. We begin by exploring your camera’s capabilities and learn how to manually adjust for shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Students need to bring a camera and the camera manual. A digital SLR or compact camera with manual controls is essential for this class. 

In the Intermediate Photography class students are introduced to an effective digital workflow using Adobe Lightroom and other software. We cover the most important aspects of creating and maintaining your photo library while devoting most of the sessions to learning and applying the processing tools inherent in Lightroom. Students that bring a laptop with processing software loaded will find that beneficial, but it is not essential. At the end of the class students will be able effectively manage their photo library and improve the look and presentation of their images. 

Cost: $140.00 for four sessions, Intro or Intermediate Level

Register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/photography-classes-spring-2016-tickets-19807486726 

Those not interested in photography come to hike, bird, or learn more about this precious North Central Texas habitat. The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is a City of Southlake park, 501(3)(c) nonprofit, and a treasure for all of us. The mission of Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is to restore and preserve the Eastern Cross Timbers ecosystem through environmental leadership, education, and compatible outdoor activities.

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Children 3-5 years old will explore nature through hands-on activities, science experiments, nature lessons, stories, hikes and crafts. Course topics are carefully chosen to allow children to experience many of these animals at their most active or interesting times during their life cycle. A healthy snack will be provided during the Pathfinders class. Members receive a 10% discount so give us a call and become a BJNC Member today! 

Children must be potty independent. Please wear closed toed shoes, clothing appropriate for outdoor weather, and bring a water bottle. Email admin@bjnc.org or call 817-491-6333 for the member discount code. 

Monthly Themes 

  • January- Survive and Thrive! 

  • February- How Does Your Garden Grow?  

  • March- Aquatic Life 

  • April- I Know My Place! (A study of our local ecology) 

Cost: $560 for 16 weeks (Term cost will be prorated after program starts to $35.00/week) 

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pathfinders-spring-2016-tickets-19536273520 

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Children, 6-10 years old, will explore nature through hands-on activities, science experiments, nature lessons, stories, hikes, and crafts. Students will engage in dynamic experiences that reinforce nature and science concepts. Please wear closed toed shoes, clothing appropriate for outdoor weather, and bring a water bottle. Course topics are carefully chosen to allow children to experience many plants animals at their most active or interesting times during their life cycle. Bob Jones Nature Center Members receieve a 10% discount, so join today http://bjnc.org/membership.php. Please email admin@bjnc.org or call 817-491-6333 for the membership discount code if you are already a BJNC Member. 

Monthly Themes 

  • January- Survive and Thrive! 

  • February- How Does Your Garden Grow?  

  • March- Aquatic Life 

    April- I Know My Place! (A study of our local ecology) 

 

Cost: $375 for 16 weeks (call or email for prorated cost) 

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homeschool-spring-2016-tickets-19538756948 

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Seeds For Survival 

On cold, wintry days, most birds fluff up their feathers, creating air pockets that help keep the birds warm. Fluffy feathers is not enough to survive the harshness of winter, however. 
 
Shivering is used by almost all birds. Birds convert muscular energy into heat for the short term and that energy must be replaced soon.

Cold weather increases a bird's caloric requirements at a time when food is most scarce. There are no insects flying around, and seeds, weeds, fruits, and nuts are often nowhere to be found.

 

BJNC Protects and Feeds

A team of volunteers and Master Naturalists work together at the Bob Jones Nature Center to provide shelter, food, and water for the over 300 species of birds that visit DFW annually.
 
Birds are provide the highest quality meals ranging from black-oil sunflower seed (the "hamburger" of seeds), peanuts, nyjer and more.
 
The grand variety of birds at the Nature Center - finches, warblers, sparrows, wrens, and more - are happy to find sanctuary here.

What You Can Do to Help

There are many ways to get involved with caring for birds in winter.
  • Put out high capacity feeders and fill with quality, fatty, feed
  • Hang feeders in cat-safe areas
  • Set up a bird bath
  • Volunteer! Join the BJNC team of volunteers to help bird feeding and maintenance
  • Donate! Send a tax-deductible gift or bag of bird seed to the Nature Center to support bird-care efforts

Birds Need Seeds! 

Winter is a trying time of year for most wildlife. Although some species find solace in hibernating or migrating, many birds challenge winter in DFW.
 
Like a child in need, our local birds need our help to survive with enough food, water and shelter this season.
 
Help feed our local bird population. Your tax-deductable gift today can help feed over 300 species of birds in DFW.
 
Consider donating a bag of tasty seeds with your family:
  • PB & J Suet
  • Naturally Nuts Suet
  • Shelled Peanuts
  • No-Mess Seed Blend
  • Woodpecker Mini
  • Nuts & Berries Suet
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1. Spend Time Outdoors
"Get off the TV and go play outside!" Sound familiar? Every parent knows that kids who play in the backyard are healthier physically and mentally than their inside peers. Nature hikes are a great way to get the whole family involved!



2. Make Art with Nature
Leaves, sticks, and even dirt can be used for arts and crafts projects. Kids who make art with nature are more creative and feel connected to nature.


3. Touch Bugs!
...or any other living creature. Children who get hands-on experience with crawly nature friends are less afraid of not-so-scary creatures and develop higher self-esteem. Nature kids feel more capable and confident!



The Bob Jones Nature Center Pathfinders Preschool and Home School Classes nurture tomorrow's conservation leaders! Our students explore nature through hands-on activities, science experiments, nature lessons, stories, hikes, and crafts. Course topics are carefully chosen to allow children to experience plants and animals at their most active or interesting times during their life cycle. Let us help teach your child how to love nature!

will explore nature through hands-on activities, science experiments, nature lessons, stories, hikes, and crafts. Please wear closed toed shoes, clothing appropriate for outdoor weather, and bring a water bottle. Course topics are carefully chosen to allow children to experience many of these animals at their most active or interesting times during their life cycle. - See more at: http://bjnc.org/education-pathfinders-outdoor-preschool.php#sthash.ezygBoJ1.dpuf