BNA | Bong Naturalist Association

Observe the Night Sky
2023-05-06 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Lot F, 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Open Astronomy Tonight!
Get the chance to look through special telescopes and binoculars at the incredible night sky.
Bring your own telescope or binoculars and learn how to use them or take a peek through the special equipment brought by our volunteer astronomer, Tom!
If the skies are clear you are welcome to come see the night sky! Sessions start approximately 30 minutes after sunset and usually last for 1 – 2 hours.
Meet at Parking Lot F near the observation tower.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Live Snake Encounter!
2023-05-06 14:00 - 14:30 (America/Detroit) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Learn all about snakes and how they eat! Then watch as our education fox snake Mickey is fed a mouse! You will even get the chance to touch or hold our education snakes. Meet in the Auditorium.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Solar Viewing!
2023-05-06 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Shelter #2, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Solar Viewing Today!
Come see the Sun through special telescopes designed to safely look at the Sun and learn about our star.
See if you can notice sunspots or maybe even solar flares!
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. if the Sun is out and skies are clear.
**Parking Lot by Shelter 2 and the NEC entrance.

Knit and Crochet Clinic
2023-05-06 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Shelter #1, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Bring your questions and any problems you’re having with a project. Maybe you will even learn a new stitch or technique! This class is great for beginners and those of all ability levels. Walk in after 11 a.m. and join us!
This class is suggested for ages 8 and older if accompanied by an adult.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Make a Mosaic Birdbath
2023-04-29 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Make a birdbath using a terracotta plant saucer and broken plates. All materials will be supplied. Make your own design or use inspiration from one of the design books that will be available to view. This program is best suited for adults or children 12 or older.

Please pre-register for this program by calling 262-878-5609
Class Fee: $15

All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Earth Day Hike
2023-04-22 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Celebrate Earth Day at Richard Bong State Recreation Area with a Spring Hike with our Naturalist. Learn about the seasonal changes plants and animals are experiencing. Trail TBD based on trail conditions. Meet in the Visitor Center Parking Lot.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Early Bird Hike
2023-04-22 07:00 - 09:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Bring your binoculars, or use ours, to look and listen for newly arrived migrants as well as resident birds. Meet at the Visitor Center Parking Lot. Trail TBD.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Adopt a Highway
2023-04-18 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Join us for our first 2023 Adopt a Highway on Tuesday, April 18th! Please arrive at the Bong Visitor Center parking lot promptly at 5:00pm to get your safety vest and other gear.
Please wear bright colors; apply tick protection; wear proper footwear: and bring water! For everyone’s safety, please do not bring children or pets.
This is open to anyone who wants to make Bong the best it can be. Need service points….NO PROBLEM…we can sign you off.
Just a reminder that all events require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Knee-High Naturalist: Wiggle Worms
2023-04-13 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Shelter #1, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
We will look for worms under rocks and logs and look at worm castings.

Registration required: Please call (262) 878-5609 at least 48 hours in advance.
We ask that you please call to cancel if you cannot come.

Programs are free, but you need a Wisconsin State Park admission sticker or pay the daily park entrance fee.
Knee-high Naturalist is for 3 to 5-year-olds and a grown-up in their life. Siblings are welcome. Our goal is to provide environmental education through stories, crafts, hiking and playing outdoors.
We always plan to be outside, so please dress accordingly! Program will always occur, but sometimes the topic will change due to weather issues.

Live Snake Encounter
2023-04-08 14:00 - 14:30, 2023-04-01 14:00 - 14:30, 2023-03-25 14:00 - 14:30, 2023-03-18 14:00 - 14:30, 2023-03-11 14:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States

Getting Ready for Earth Day
2023-04-08 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Make a small stepping-stone (materials fee: 2 stepping stones for $5). There will also be reduce/reuse/recycle activities available for free. These include making cards & envelopes from calendars and planting a terrarium from soda bottles.
Also, listen to a storytelling of The Lorax at 10 a.m., and again at 11 a.m.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Spring into Fitness Hike
2023-03-30 17:00 - 18:30, 2023-03-23 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
The after-work hikes continue! We will either walk Rhodes Road (paved road north of 142) or the Blue Trail, depending on trail conditions. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. This event is weather dependent, it will be canceled in the event of rain.
Pets on a leash are welcome!
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Spring Crescent Moon Wreath
2023-03-26 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-03-22 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Start spring with a new wreath for your door or wall. Make a rustic grapevine wreath or moss-covered wreath on a wire frame. Add spring silk flowers to welcome the spring season.

Please pre-register by calling 262-878-5609.
Meet at the BNA Volunteer Shed north of Hwy 142 on the service road–Rhodes Road.
Class Fee: $15

All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Celebrate Spring Hike
2023-03-20 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
It’s the Vernal Equinox. Join us for an after-work hike to celebrate the first day of spring!
Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. We will either walk Rhodes Road (paved road north of 142) or the Blue Trail, depending on trail conditions. This event is weather dependent; it will be canceled in the event of rain. Pets on a leash are welcome.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Calligraphy Class
2023-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Learn the basics of calligraphy in this fun and unique class! Meet in the Auditorium. Please pre-register by calling: 262-878-5609, but walk-ins will also be welcome!
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Knit & Crochet
2023-03-11 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Get assistance in learning new stitches or techniques, solve a problem, and correct mistakes! Bring your yarn/string, needles/hooks, and patterns! Meet in the Auditorium. This clinic is best for ages 8+. Please bring an adult to help children.
All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Knee-High Naturalist: Take a Bird to Lunch!
2023-03-09 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Why do birds go south for the winter and when do they come back? What birds stay all year? Bring your 3 to 5-year-old and explore nature together!
Registration required: Please call (262) 878-5609
Programs are free, but you need a Wisconsin State Park admission sticker or pay the daily park entrance fee.

Knee-high Naturalist is for 3 to 5-year-olds and a grown-up in their life. Siblings are welcome. Our goal is to provide environmental education through stories, crafts, hiking and playing outdoors.
We always plan to be outside, so please dress accordingly! Program will always occur, but sometimes the topic will change due to weather issues.

Live Snake Encounter
2023-03-04 14:00 - 14:30, 2023-02-25 14:00 - 14:30 (America/Detroit) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Learn all about snakes and how they eat! Then watch as our education fox snake Mickey is fed a mouse! You will even get the chance to touch or hold our education snakes.
Note: All programs require a Wisconsin State Park entrance sticker or daily entrance fee.

Terrific Trees Drop-In
2022-08-27 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Detroit) | Beach, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansaville, WI, 53139, United States
Trees are terrific! Learn about the big, beautiful giants that create habitats for all sorts of forest life! Drop-in by the beach.

How to Stay Found
2022-08-26 10:00 - 23:30 (America/Detroit) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Learn to read a map and use a compass, then we’ll head outside to practice your new skills by playing fun compass games. Best for ages 8 and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Nature Explore Family Club: Your Special Path
2022-08-23 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Detroit) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Your Special Path: Take a walk in nature and hunt for interesting things. As you explore, let your senses go to work. Make mental notes of things most interesting to you. Later you will make a “map” of your special path. Bring your 5 to 10-year-old and meet in the Auditorium of the Visitor’s Center.

Observe the Night Sky
2022-08-20 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Lot F, 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Meet in Parking Lot F to observe the night sky using telescopes or binoculars. This event is weather permitting. On overcast nights the event will be cancelled.

Mickey the Fox Snake Encounter
2022-08-20 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Visitor Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville, WI, 53139, United States
Learn all about snakes and watch as our education snake, Mickey, is fed a mouse! You might even get the chance to hold or touch Mickey! Meet in the Visitor Center Auditorium.
