Rum Village Nature Center
 2626 S. Gertrude Street  235-9455
Monday- Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Closed Saturdays

Garry Harrington, Director, Vince Gresham, Assistant Director

The Rum Village Nature Center is located on the city’s south side in Rum Village Park. Visit the exhibit area, sit at the bird-viewing window, or enjoy a leisurely stroll on the trails in the woods. Not far from the heart of South Bend, this park is a wildlife oasis offering hiking trails, biking trails, picnic areas, and a chance to escape to the quiet calm of one of the nicest woodlands in the area.

FUN RUNS Runners of all ages are welcome to participate. Register on race day.  Click HERE for more information.

WildWoods

A Rum Village Nature Center Production
The Rum Village Wild Woods Nature Show day camp is looking for crew members, ages 13 & 14, for a week of wildlife movie-making adventure. In addition to learning about wildlife, crew members will narrate, edit and shoot video for a 10-15 minute nature show. On the last day of camp, the families of the crew will be invited to the nature center auditorium for a special viewing of the Wild Woods Nature Show. Crew members will also take home a DVD of the show, including out-takes and special features. Children are required to bring a lunch.

Ages 9-12
Days/Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, July 26 - 30
Cost: $50.00/R, $55/NR
Registration: Available at the O'Brien Rec Center Monday through Thursday

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Bring the excitement of the natural world into your curriculum with a program from the staff of the Rum Village Nature Center. Would your students like to touch a snake, build a survival shelter, or explore the forest? The naturalists at Rum Village can offer these and many other exciting educational experiences.

You can request a program in your classroom, or bring your students to the park for a program in the auditorium and a naturalist-led hike in the forest. In addition to the programs listed in this brochure, we can create programs to support your curriculum at any grade level. Most programs meet multiple state science standards. The naturalists can provide a list of the standards for the program when you make your reservation.

 Special Events


June 13 – Osprey and Peregrine
Some of the rarest birds in the state of Indiana are nesting in or near downtown South Bend. Get the latest update on these impressive creatures.
June 20 – Square-Yard Safari
You don’t have to take a long hike to see a lot of wildlife. Sometimes you just have to slow down and look a little closer. We’ll go on a mini-safari by getting down on our bellies to get a bug’s-eye view of the forest and its creatures.
June 27 – Animal Success Stories
Good things do happen. Many animals have made impressive comebacks in the last 25 years. Find out how they did it in this presentation.

All programs (except for the Friday Evening of Owls presentation) are a free service of the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department. Most programs begin at 2:00 p.m. and are FREE. Call the naturalists at 235-9455 for more information.

Field Trips
Our fall and spring field trips are a great way for students to experience the natural world. A visit to the nature center, a hike in the forest, and a program in the auditorium are all included in a field trip at Rum Village. Programs are 90 minutes for grades 1-6, and 75 minutes for kindergarten.
(60 student limit per program)
Fee: $1.50 per student (in-county)
$2.00 per student (out-of-county)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR SCHOOL PROGRAM BROCHURE or Call 574-235-9455 for info & reservations.
Migratory Naturalist
For a program in your classroom, call and request a Migratory Naturalist program. These programs last approximately one hour.
(50 student limit per program)
Fee: $32.00 per program