Nature Fest

Start: Saturday, May 10, 2025 9:00AM
End: Saturday, May 10, 2025 3:30PM

Celebrate spring with Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College at their annual Nature Fest. This free weekend festival will feature both family-friendly activities and science investigations on May 9 and 10 at Merry Lea. Nature Fest brings together the local community to encourage individuals and families to explore the outdoors and engage with the biodiversity at Merry Lea in fun, interactive ways. People of all ages are welcome to join in family-oriented activities and EcoExcursion activities. Friday evening, May 9 from 6 - 9 p.m. will include canoeing, campfires and a sunset hike. Canoe with a partner and then relax by the campfire while making s'mores. All equipment is provided, including s’mores fixings, while supplies last. Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. will feature two different tracks that participants may engage in: family and EcoExcursion activities. Family activities include canoeing, guided hikes, nature crafts, seed starting workshops, and more. ExoExcursion activities range from getting up close and personal with wild turtles, dipping for macroinvertebrates, a guided native plant and ID hike, and birding basics for beginners at our nature preserve. These events will occur concurrently with the family-oriented events. Drop in for just some of these activities or join for all of them! Activities vary as either guided, self-guided or drop-in events. This year, we are adding a lunch option – a food truck (The Rooted Spud) will be set-up from 11am - 1:30pm on Saturday, May 10! Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on Saturday if they prefer. All Nature Fest activities will take place or start at the Merry Lea Farmstead site (2152 S 425 W, Albion, IN 46701). Registration is not required. To see the full schedule and more details, please visit merrylea.goshen.edu/naturefest. Merry Lea is located just south of Wolf Lake, Ind., halfway between Goshen and Fort Wayne. Directions and updates are available at merrylea.goshen.edu or the Merry Lea Facebook page. For questions regarding Merry Lea’s hours or new developments, contact merrylea@goshen.edu or (260) 799-5869.