Maple Sirup
Programs & Field Trips
It’s coming soon! The time of year when buckets decorate the
sugar maples throughout Funks Grove. Sugar Grove Nature Center
is pleased to offer the Funks Grove Maple Sirup Experience to
students throughout central Illinois and share this important
part of Funks Grove Heritage.
School Field Trips
Sugar Grove Nature Center is pleased to continue offering the Funks Grove Maple Sirup Experience for 4th-6th grade classes and invites your school to take part in this unique educational experience. The program provides a unique opportunity for students to actively engage in the production of maple sirup as they explore its history from pre-settlement to current day through demonstrations and hands-on activities. Every student will have the opportunity to tap a sugar maple tree and take home a small bottle of Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup.
The four-hour experience costs $5/student.
Registration is underway and dates are filling fast. Currently,
remaining dates are February 23 - 26, and March 2 - 4, 10, & 12.
Call
309.874.2174 or email
sugargrovenc@earthlink.net for the most up-to-date
availability. Your field trip can be reserved with a $100
deposit by check or money order and a completed registration
form. Forms must be received by February 1, 2010.
Click here
for a registration form (.pdf)
Homeschool Classes
We have set aside two days especially for homeschool groups,
March 9 &
March 11 Registration is Full. The program will be similar to the school field
trips. It runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and
participants should bring a sack lunch. The fee is $5 per
student (aged 3 and up) & parents are
$2/each. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come
first-serve basis. Form must be received by February 1, 2010
- Deadline was extended to allow for more time to register.
Click here for a registration form (.pdf)
For the Whole Family!
Maple Sirup Experience Tours
Saturday, March 6
Tours begin at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. , and 3:00 p.m., Registration and prepayment required. Tour times that are strikethrough are full and closed to registration.
Suitable for adults, children, scouts, and other interested groups.
Have you ever tasted 'sweet water' dripping from
a spile? Here's your chance! Please join us for the Sugar Grove
Nature Center Maple Sirup Experience on Saturday, March 6.
Gather around the fire at the sirup camp to learn how the Native
Americans and early settlers collected and prepared sap. Visit
the sugar shack where the smell of maple sirup hangs in the air.
Journey into the sugarbush to tap a tree. Stop inside the nature
center to sample a variety of sweet treats made with maple sirup
including candy, cookies, fudge and more! Tours will start at
9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Dress for the
weather, as you will be outside for a major portion of the
program. Tours last approximately 2-1/2 hours. This program is
suitable for adults, children, scouts, and other interested
groups. Experience an important part of Funks Grove heritage!
Fee: Members - $5/adults, $3/children (16 & under); non-members
- $7/adults, $5/children; Registration and prepayment required.
Click here for a registration form
(.pdf)
Maple Sirup Seminar
Wednesday, March 10, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Missed our Maple Sirup Experience Tours? Don't Worry! Our Maple Sirup Seminar is suitable for adults, children, and groups. This primer gives the maple sirup basics from tree to table. We’ll tap trees and even get to taste the finished product! Fee: Members $3, non-members $5, Registration required by calling 309.874.2174 or emailing register-sgnc@earthlink.net.
For Preschoolers
Little Tappers - Maple Sirup
Wednesday, February 17, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 20, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Little Tappers is designed especially for children 3 - 5 years old with an adult chaperone. We will sing songs while learning how to make maple sirup and listen to a fabulous sirup story. Then, each child will get a turn at tree tapping and taste the real thing! Fee: Members $5/child, non-members $7/child; adult chaperone & registration required. To register, call 309.874.2174 or email register-sgnc@earthlink.net.
For Scout Groups
Sirup for
Scouts! - Registration Closed
Saturday, February 27
10:00 a.m.- noon, scouts 8 years-old & under
1:00-3:00 p.m., scouts 9 year-old & over
(If your scout group crosses ages ranges, choose the one most
appropriate.)
Attention Boy and Girl Scout leaders! Your troop is invited to
join in on the maple sirup fun on Saturday, February 27. Scouts will learn how
sap from the maple tree becomes sirup, and take part in the
process from tree tapping to tasting! The cost for each two-hour
session is $5/scout, $2/chaperone and registration and
pre-payment are required. Space is limited; call 309.874.2174 or
email
register-sgnc@earthlink.net to ensure space for your
scouting group. When registering, please be
sure to gather participant numbers for your entire troop so that
no one is left out of this experience!
Click here for a
registration form (.pdf)
Your Group or Organization
Don't Miss Out!! Call 309.874.2174 or email eesugargrovenc@earthlink.net to learn how to arrange a maple sirup program especially for your preschool, group, or other organization!
Purchasing Maple Sirup
Maple sirup, candies, and other related items will be available for purchase at Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, located 1/4 mile south of Funks Grove Road on Route 66. Call 309.874.3360 after late February for availability. Please visit Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup's website at http://www.funkspuremaplesirup.com/.