(510) 881-6747
1801 D Street, Hayward
sulphurcreek@haywardrec.org
Sulphur Creek Nature Center
offers exciting science programs that focus on the natural history and ecology
of local wildlife. These stimulating programs are designed primarily for students
in pre-school through Grade 6. Students participate in lively discussion, conduct
field studies and have hands-on experiences with LIVE animals. Including a Sulphur
Creek program in your curriculum creates a memorable learning experience for
students and adults alike.
- All programs support
the Science Framework for California Public Schools.
- Conducted year-round
on the grounds of the Nature Center using the wildlife exhibits, grassland,
creek and riparian habitats as our outdoor classroom.
- Brought to you as outreach programs during the months of October through March. Choose the programs that coincide best with your classroom curriculum.
- Please refer to our quarterly brochure for details of programs and clases.
Schools and Groups
Can you catch 100 mice a night? Owls can! Come learn about the amazing adaptations, or tools these birds of prey possess to be such effective hunters. Meet our resident owls and discover how they each can provide for their families in this highly interactive program.
what’s it like to be the only mammal that flies? How do you “see” with your ears? How do you scream so that no one hears? Explore the world from a bat’s point of view and understand how these unique creatures benefit us all.
Animal
Discoveries (Pre-school)
Discover the
wonder of animals, both wild and domestic, in a lighthearted, intimate setting.
Observe, discuss and touch a variety of safe, friendly animals as you learn
to respect their differences.
Walk
with the Animals (Grades K - 2)
Take a walk on the wild side and come face to face with mammals, birds, reptiles,
and amphibians. Touch fur, feathers, scales and skin while getting
a rare close up look at their similarities and differences. Learn how these
animals move, find food and escape from enemies.
Local
Wildlife tour (Grades 3 - 6)
Tour Sulphur Creek and get close to the California wildlife that roams our creeks,
hills and forests. Become familiar with the opossum, coyote, hawk, raven, snake,
toad and more! Learn about their adaptations through discussion, observation
and interaction. Discover what habitat requirements animals need in order to
survive on their own.
Hooray
for Herps! A closer look at Amphibians and Reptiles (Grades K - 6)
Meet our resident reptiles and amphibians and learn about their natural history
and ecology. Discuss life cycles, predators and prey, habitats, locomotion and
defense mechanisms. Local species are available for handling.
Mammal
Menagerie (Grades K - 6)
What do coyotes, whales, bats and people have in common? Learn all about this
amazing group of animals and how they have adapted to live in every environment.
Discover their tremendous diversity, communication strategies, brain development
and sensory adaptations.
Avian
Antics (Grades K - 6)
Birds are some of the most observable wildlife. Get a close up look at what
makes them unique. With the use of artifacts and live examples, you will investigate
birds from A to Z including special adaptations, nest building and how they
fly.
Explore the world of arthropods through
this engaging, hands-on presentation that comes directly to your
classroom. Students
will learn how to classify and observe lifecycles of arachnids,
myriopods, insects, and crustaceans.
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Field
programs
The following programs are offered in the spring only to take advantage
of the best environmental conditions. There is limited availability, please
reserve early.
Minibeast
Safari (Grades K - 2)
Encounter the smaller side of life: Insects, spiders, worms, slugs,
and millipedes. Learn where they live, what they eat, and why they are
an integral part of the animal world. Collect your own mini-beasts for study
and discussion. (1 hr program held March through June only)
Arthropod Adventures (Grades 3 - 6)
Hundreds of spiders, insects, and other arthropods are found in and around
Sulphur Creek. Let your students become field biologists for the day
by collecting, examining and classifying arthropods from five different habitats. Through
observation and comparison, they will be able to piece together information
about habitat preferences, ecology, and the importance of arthropods in the
ecosystem. (2 hr program held on Tuesday and Thursday, March through June only)
Upstream, downstream (Grades 4 - 6)
Study Sulphur Creek and its rich riparian habitat. Collect and learn to identify
aquatic invertebrates, test water quality, measure stream velocity, temperature
and pH. Investigate sources of and solutions to pollution. Use your
science and math skills to record observations and determine the health of
the creek. (2 hr program held on Wednesday and Friday, April through
June only.)
Programs, reservations, and pricing can be made by telephone with a naturalist at Sulphur Creek. Call at least one month prior to your intended program date. Preparation materials will be sent to teachers after reservations are made. Walk with the Animals, Local Wildlife Tour, Hooray for Herps!, Mammal Menagerie, Avian Antics, Bats in Focus, Owls on the Prowl and Mini-beast Safari are 1-hour programs. Arthropod Adventures and Upstream, Downstream are 2 hour programs.
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Nature Classes and Public Programs
For adults only - Reservations required - $16 per person
Saturday, May 16 • 6:00-7:30pm • Class #1036
Not
only is the spider a master web designer and builder, but it sees the world
through a different set of lenses. Leading us into this
strange yet unique world of spiders is Sulphur Creek’s own “spider expert”
and field biologist, Mike Koslosky. Join us at Sulphur Creek for an
in-depth and close-up view of spiders as we learn to walk the walk and talk
the talk of these eight-legged wonders.
Saturday • July 11 • 4:00-5:30pm • $16 per
person • #3179
Eagles,
falcons and hawks maneuver with precise accuracy and incredible force. Some
travel at flight speeds of over 180 miles per hour. Come experience the magnificent
presence these “Birds of Prey” portray as you meet some of Sulphur Creek’s
native raptors up-close. This very exclusive nature program is presented for
adults only.
Saturday, August 1 • 4:00-5:30pm • $16 per person • #3180
Back by popular demand! Here’s your opportunity to sharpen your wildlife
“photo” skills! Expert wildlife photographer, Eleanor Briccitte will
be at Sulphur Creek Nature Center to share her field “photo” secrets and
review the importance of light and uses of flash. We’ll have Sulphur Creek
wildlife and its beautiful nature setting for practice shots.
Come learn about life in the desert from the tortoise, snake, lizard and
tarantula. Find out their secrets to beat the heat and create a desert
tri-o-rama.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 1664 |
3-5 |
M |
11:00 am - 12:30pm |
5/11 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 1665 |
4-7 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
5/18 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 1666 |
4-7 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
5/26 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 1667 |
6-12 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
5/11 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Discover clues to reveal what animals are around as we visit the owl, chinchilla,
rabbit, and gopher. Make you own guide to help you track the animals
on your summer vacation.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 1668 |
3-5 |
T |
11:00 am -12:30pm |
6/23 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 1669 |
4-7 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
6/1 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 1670 |
4-7 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
6/30 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 1671 |
6-12 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
6/23 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Find out about animals that feast on fruit as we visit the box turtle, opossum
and guinea pig. Explore the trails in search of summer fruit and make a fruit
snack for yourself.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3211 |
6-11 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
7/6 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3212 |
3-5 |
M |
11:00 am -12:30pm |
7/20 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3213 |
4-7 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
7/7 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3214 |
4-7 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
7/14 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3215 |
6-12 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
7/20 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Enjoy the summer evening outside with us. Discover how the turkey vulture,
opossum, pond turtle and you can help protect nature. Paint a tote bag
and roast marshmallows too.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3203 |
3-12 |
Sat |
6:30 pm - 8:30pm |
7/18 |
1 |
Christine |
$10/child |
Bring your favorite stuffed friend, a picnic lunch and a blanket to sit on
to our teddy bear picnic. Visit the garter snake, turtle and duck, play
some fishing games and see what we can find in the creek.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3221 |
2-9 |
Sat |
12:00 pm - 2:00pm |
7/11 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Come visit the duck, turtle, newt, and tadpoles and discover their secrets
to swift swimming. Make your own swimming turtle to join the swim team too.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3218 |
3-5 |
T |
11:00 am -12:30pm |
8/18 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3219 |
3-5 |
M |
2:30 pm -4:00pm |
8/3 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3220 |
4-7 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
8/4 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3224 |
4-7 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
8/24 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3216 |
6-12 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
8/24 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Travel with us on this summer evening to the west end of Sulphur Creek to
welcome back feathered travelers. Hike for 2.5 miles to search for shorebirds,
find out about their trip along the way, and create a beautiful shore scene
to remember them by.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3204 |
5-12 |
Sat |
6:00 pm - 8:00pm |
8/1 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Explore the trails to find what we can hear out on a warm summer night. Visit
some special summer bugs, the barn owl, and frog, create your own musical
bug, and roast marshmallows over the campfire.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3205 |
2-12 |
Sat |
6:00 pm - 8:00pm |
8/22 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Who is faster, the tortoise or the hare? Come find out for yourself at our
animal races. See who wins the frog jumping contest and ball rolling race
and create a racing water frog for yourself.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3225 |
3-5 |
M |
11:00 am -12:30pm |
9/21 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3226 |
4-7 |
T |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
9/22 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3227 |
4-7 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
9/28 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
| 3217 |
6-12 |
M |
3:30 pm - 5:00pm |
9/21 |
1 |
Christine |
$8/child |
Have you ever wanted to get up close and into the creepy crawly world of INSECTS? Do
these mini-beasts perplex and excite you? Then this is the class for
you. Join us as we create our tools of the trade for collecting and
observing these off the wall critters. We will build a burleese funnel,
and make our own butterfly and water nets to explore three unique arthropod
habitats at Sulphur Creek. Program includes fee for materials.
| Class # |
Ages/yrs |
Day |
Time |
Date |
Mtgs |
Instructor |
Fees |
| 3222 |
6-9 |
Sat |
9:00 am -11:00 am |
8/15 |
1 |
Marlene |
$30/child |
| 3223 |
9-12 |
Sat |
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm |
8/15 |
1 |
Marlene |
$30/child |
Toddler Times (Ages 1-3 with caregiver) $7/family
Toddler Times are designed for ages 1 to 3 with their caregivers. Each class includes a hands-on visit with animals, a craft and an outdoor exploration.
Come meet our pocket pals! Visit the gopher, hamster, and mouse and make
a hamster complete with a pocket.
| 1714 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
5/4 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1716 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
11:30am-12:15pm |
5/4 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1718 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
5/12 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1720 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
11:30am-12:15pm |
5/12 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1722 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
5/30 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1723 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
11:30am-12:15pm |
5/30 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
Come
see who has spots. Visit the owl, toad, and chicken and make a ladybug
puppet.
| 1715 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
6/13 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1717 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
11:30am-12:15pm |
6/13 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1719 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
6/15 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1721 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
11:30am-12:15pm |
6/15 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1724 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
6/30 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 1725 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
11:30am-12:15pm |
6/30 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
Learn about animals to watch for on your summer outings. Visit the bat,
tortoise, and snake and make a flying bat.
| 3185 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
7/13 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3186 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
11:30am-12:15pm |
7/13 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3187 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
7/21 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3188 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
11:30am-12:15pm |
7/21 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3189 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
7/25 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3190 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
11:30am-12:15pm |
7/25 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
Come find out about animal brothers and sisters as we visit the opossum,
tadpoles, and chickens and make a pouch full of opossum joeys.
| 3192 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
8/8 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3194 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
11:30am-12:15pm |
8/8 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3191 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
8/17 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3193 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
11:30am-12:15pm |
8/17 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3195 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
8/25 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3196 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
11:30am-12:15pm |
8/25 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
Visit the chinchilla, dove, and hamster, discover what seeds they like
to eat and search for seeds in the park.
| 3201 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
9/1 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3197 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
11:30am-12:15pm |
9/1 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3199 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
9/12 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3200 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
11:30am-12:15pm |
9/12 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3202 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
9/14 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 3198 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
11:30am-12:15pm |
9/14 |
1 |
Christine |
SCNC |
$7/family |
May satisfy 6 hours of community service requirements, check with
your school first.
Learn about the programs and day-to-day operations of Sulphur Creek
Nature Center. Attend an orientation that will introduce you
to the variety of education programs offered, wildlife jobs, volunteer
opportunities and the wildlife hospital. Get a behind the scenes
tour, then sign-up to shadow one of our experienced volunteers for
a 3-4 hour shift. You will assist them as they care for our resident
hawks, owls, coyotes or foxes. Help clean, feed and plan enrichment.
Registration is required for this Community Service Class designed
for Jr. High and High School students.
$30 per person. Space is limited.
| Orientation Dates: |
#1108 |
Sat. |
May 2 |
1:00-3:00pm |
| Shadow times: |
Must sign-up for Shadow time within 30 days of orientation |
| Sat. |
8:30am–12:30pm or 1:00-5:00pm |
| Sun. |
8:30am–12:30pm or 1:00-5:00pm |
| Or two –2-hour shifts |
| Mon., Wed.,or Fri. |
3:00- 5:00pm |
[top]
Spend camp with the critters! Come to Sulphur Creek
Nature Center’s Wildlife Camp at 1801 D Street, Hayward, and get close
to animals like owls, hawks and in our serene 10-acre canyon. Connect
with nature in this fun, highly interactive and curriculum-based
program. Each week has a special theme packed with games, crafts,
hikes and animals. Discover our NEW and exciting DINO CAMP
as we dig through the past to discover the critters that roamed here
long ago. Fee includes snacks and a free T-shirt. NEW!
Extended care will be available.
Sessions indicate grade your child will attend in September.
| CLASS# |
TITLE |
GRADE |
DAY |
TIME |
DATE |
FEE
|
| 1852 |
Polliwogs* |
Preschool |
M-F |
9:30-11:30am |
6/22-6/26 |
$90 |
| 1853 |
Polliwogs*
|
Preschool |
M-F |
1:00-3:00pm |
6/22-6/26 |
$90 |
| 1854 |
Polliwogs*
|
Preschool |
M-F |
9:30-11:30am |
8/3-8/7 |
$90 |
| 1855 |
Polliwogs*
|
Preschool |
M-F |
1:00-3:00pm |
8/3-8/7 |
$90 |
| 1857 |
Weasels
|
K-1st |
M-F |
9:30am-2:30pm |
7/6-7/10 |
$175 |
| 1858 |
Weasels
|
K-1st |
M-F |
9:30am-2:30pm |
7/20-7/24 |
$175 |
| 1859 |
BarnOwls |
2nd-3rd |
M-F |
9:30am-2:30pm |
7/13-7/17 |
$175 |
| 1860 |
BarnOwls |
2nd-3rd |
M-F |
9:30am-2:30pm |
7/27-7/31 |
$175 |
| 1862 |
DinoCamp
|
2nd-5th |
M-F |
9:30am-2:30pm |
6/29-7/3 |
$175 |
*Polliwogs must be age 3yrs. 6mo. by 6/22/09 and toilet trained.
| 3181 |
8:00-9:30am & 2:30-6:00pm |
7/6-7/10 |
$87 |
| 3182 |
8:00-9:30am & 2:30-6:00pm |
7/13-7/10 |
$87 |
| 3183 |
8:00-9:30am & 2:30-6:00pm |
7/20-7/24 |
$87 |
| 3814 |
8:00-9:30am & 2:30-6:00pm |
7/27-7/31 |
$87 |
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Special Programs
Saturday
July 25, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Reptiles!
Resilient, remarkable, and resplendent from the tip of their nose to the
end of their tail. Join us as we meet up with the Bay Area Amphibian and
Reptile Society (BAARS), for a rockin good time of coming face to face with
creatures that have endured the test of time. Bring the family and
slither into an exciting day of learning about snakes, lizards, turtles,
and tortoises. This Special Event is FREE – Make it a family
day, bring a picnic and enjoy getting back into nature.
Saturday, August 29, 6:30-9:00pm
Relax under the oaks, and enjoy excellent wine, beer, coffee, and delicious
appetizers and desserts along with live music. As a highlight to the evening,
you will witness the release of some young owls raised through Sulphur
Creek’s Wildlife Rehabilitation program. Take part in the behind-the-scenes
tours, live animal appearances, and much more. This is a fundraising event
benefiting the wildlife education and rehabilitation programs of Sulphur
Creek Nature Center. Contributors include: Thomas Coyne Winery, Owl Ridge
Wines, Westover Vineyard. The evening will also offer you a chance to
participate in our silent auction. Tickets are $70 and are available by
calling (510) 881-6747 daily after 10:00am. This is an adult-only event;
you must be at least 21 to attend.
Directions
to Sulphur Creek Nature Center
From San Leandro/ Oakland
/ San Francisco or Fremont / San Jose on 880.
Exit "A" Street.
Proceed east 1.75 mi to Second Street, right on Second Street, left on "D" Street, proceed 0.8 mi. to park.
From Oakland/ San Leandro
on 580
Exit South 238/Hayward. Follow Foothill Blvd. to the second City
Center Drive (after Centennial Hall), turn left. Make a right
onto Second Street, and a left onto "D" Street, proceed 0.8 miles to park.
From Livermore/Pleasanton
on 580.
Exit Castro Valley, left at light, left on Grove Way, left on Center Street,
right on B Street, left on 7th Street, left on "D" Street,
proceed 2 blocks to park.
On public Transportation
AC Transit line #95 departs Hayward BART station and has a bus stop at Sulphur
Creek's driveway. Call AC Transit at 511 for route departure
and arrival times.
Many of our facilities may
be rented by individuals and groups or have picnic areas which may be reserved.
For detailed information about locations, pricing and policies click on the
button when you see it or visit the Facility
Rental and Reservations section now .
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June Toddler Time