(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
Fox Sense
Saturday
• January 23 • 3:00-4:30pm • #4863
Foxes have unique senses that allow them to pinpoint prey well below the surface
while recognizing danger in the air. Come meet Sulphur Creeks’ intelligent
and agile foxes and discover how some are able to adapt while others are now
endangered at this adult only nature program.
Newts on Parade
Saturday • February 20 • 1:30-3:30pm • #4864
The
rains bring newts and salamanders out of hiding and on parade. We’ll
follow their movements along Shade Creek trail to their favorite courting and
mating spots in Five Canyons. Meet our naturalist at the merging point
of Deer and Shade Creek trails off Private Rec. Road in Castro Valley. Wear
your rain hat and hiking shoes for this 2.5 mile excursion.
A
Ravens’ Song
Saturday • March 20 • 6:00-7:30pm • #4865
Ravens are filled with song and dance to announce the coming season. And
can predict growth or drought for us. Meet and learn about
the smart and song-full Raven and its brainy relatives, crows, magpies
and jays at this special adult nature presentation.
"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home.."
Saturday
• April 17 • 12:30-2:00pm • #5986
From children’s poems, to designer t-shirts, coffee mugs, necklaces and stationery,
ladybugs surround us with their simple beauty. Learn more about these recognizable
beetles and see how they fit into folklore, organic gardening, fabric dyeing,
art and history from Mike Koslosky, field biologist and entomologist at Sulphur
Creek Nature Center.
Falcon Force
Saturday
• May 22 • 3:00-4:30pm • #5987
Peregrine
Falcons’ can travel 180 mph and with the flip of a wing become a
powerful dive bomber. Meet Sulphur Creeks’ falcons and hawks
and experience the beauty, strength and diversity of their raptor
skills.
Reservations are required for all of the following
programs. These have been filling up fast, so sign up early! Click
here to register online. Enter the class number in the
keyword search box.
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.
December | January | February | March
December Toddler
Time
Discover who hibernates in the winter. Visit the snake, lizard, and
turtle and color a sleeping snake.
Click here to register online.
Enter the class number in the keyword search box.
January
Toddler Time – Puddle Pals
Find out why the newt, duck, and turtle are
such great puddle pals. Make
your own pond turtle to take home.
| 4909 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
1/4 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 4912 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
1/9 |
1 |
Wolf |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 4911 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
1/26 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$7/family |
February
Toddler Time – Jump for Joy
Learn how to be a great jumper with the help of
the rabbit, chinchilla, and frog. Create your own jumping critter
to practice with at home.
| 4913 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
2/2 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 4914 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
2/6 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 4915 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
2/22 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$7/family |
March Toddler
Time –
Burrowing Buddies
The tarantula, burrowing owl, and gopher snake love to hide in burrows. Make
a burrowing buddy to take home.
| 4916 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
M |
10:00-10:45am |
3/8 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 4917 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
T |
10:00-10:45am |
3/23 |
1 |
Wolf |
SCNC |
$7/family |
| 4918 |
1-3 yr & caregiver |
Sat |
10:00-10:45am |
3/27 |
1 |
Wolfe |
SCNC |
$7/family |
Youth Nature Classes are designed for ages 3-5, 4-7, 6-12. Each
class will focus on a an animal adaptation that is used to help it
survive. Students will meet live animals up close and complete
a special project or craft based on the featured adaptation.
Backyard Birds
Find out all about the birds that visit your yard. Get a special
up close look at the park’s resident songbirds. Put out some
treats, search for birds on the trail and make ajingle bird too.
| 3619 |
3-5 yr |
T |
11:00am -12:30pm |
12/1 |
1 |
Wolfe |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 3629 |
4-7 yr |
M |
3:30-5:00 pm |
12/7 |
1 |
Wolfe |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 3630 |
4-7 yr |
T |
3:30-5:00 pm |
12/8 |
1 |
Wolfe |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 3631 |
6-12 yr |
T |
3:30-5:00 pm |
12/1 |
|
Wolfe |
SCNC |
$8/child |
Fun Feet
You can learn a lot about animals by looking at their feet. Find
out what makes duck, opossum, and rabbit feet special. Make
your own plaster footprint.
| 4892 |
3-5 yr |
M |
11:00am -12:30pm |
1/11 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4895 |
4-7 yr |
M |
3:30-5:00 pm |
1/11 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4896 |
4-7 yr |
T |
3:30-5:00 pm |
1/26 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4897 |
6-12 yr |
M |
3:30-5:00 pm |
1/4 |
|
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
Short Days, Long Nights
Some animals enjoy coming out during the long winter nights. Learn
how the owl, bat, and chinchilla have adapted to their nocturnal
lifestyles. Explore the night with a nocturnal critter craft.
| 4893 |
3-5 yr |
T |
11:00am -12:30pm |
2/9 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4900 |
4-7 yr |
T |
3:30-5:00 pm |
2/2 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4899 |
4-7 yr |
M |
3:30-5:00 pm |
2/8 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4901 |
6-12 yr |
T |
3:30-5:00 pm |
2/23 |
|
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
Eye Spy
Discover
how different animals see. Explore the world through the eyes
of the tarantula, Great-horned Owl, and frog. Create your own
animal eye glasses.
| 4894 |
3-5 yr |
M |
11:00am -12:30pm |
3/1 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4903 |
4-7 yr |
M |
3:30-5:00 pm |
3/1 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 4902 |
4-7 yr |
T |
3:30-5:00 pm |
3/16 |
1 |
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
| 5571 |
6-12 yr |
M |
3:30-5:00 pm |
2/22 |
|
Walke |
SCNC |
$8/child |
Get an up-close look at the day to day operations
of Sulphur Creek Nature Center, a wildlife hospital and educational
facility. Attend
a two hour orientation that will introduce you to the variety of
education programs offered, volunteer opportunities, and the basics
of caring for sick and injured wildlife. Get a behind-the-scenes
tour of the wildlife hospital, the 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. May satisfy 6 hours of community
service requirement; check with your school first.
Registration is required for this class which is designed for students
11-18 years of age.
$30 per person. Space is limited.
Orientation Dates:
| 4867 |
11-20 yr |
Sat |
1:00 -3:00pm |
3/27 |
1 |
McGinnis |
SCNC |
$30 |
| 4868 |
11-20 yr |
Sat |
1:00 -3:00pm |
4/24 |
1 |
McGinnis |
SCNC |
$30 |
Shadow Times:
Saturdays or Sundays: 8:30AM-12:30PM or 1:00-5:00PM
Or two shifts after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 3:00-5:00
**Must sign up for a Shadow time within a month after the orientation.**
Spend camp with the critters! At Wildlife Camp
get close toanimals like owls, opossums, and snakes in our serene
park.Connect with nature in a fun, highly-interactive andcurriculum-based
program. Each week has a special theme,packed with games, crafts,
hikes and animals. Discover ournew KIDS & CRITTER CARE camp,
an introduction towildlife rehabilitation. T-shirt and snacks included.
Call (510)881-6747 for details. Register
online and then download the appropriate
forms.
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Special
Programs
Volunteer Services – Become a Wildlife Docent
Tuesdays
• January 5, 12, 19, 26 • 7:00-9:00PM
Docent Application and $60 registration fee due by January 2, 2010
Wildlife docents play a vital role at Sulphur Creek Nature Center
by helping to share knowledge about local wildlife with the community. A
series of classes will help prepare you to assist the naturalists
with school programs, community fairs and festivals, and in educating
the general public. Docents will learn the natural history
and ecology of local wildlife, how to handle wild and domestic resident
animals used in educational programs, and to use professional interpretive
techniques to convey information and enthusiasm to others. If
you are interested in teaching, and learning, call Sulphur Creek
for a Docent Application to participate in the next docent training. The
$60 training fee includes docent materials and t-shirt.
Mother Nature's Holiday Gifts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 • 1:00-4:00PM
Welcome our wild neighbors into the New Year by making a variety
of tasty treats. Children and adults alike enjoy creating edible
“works of art” to string on trees for the birds and squirrels to
feast on. Refreshments for the “creative artists” will be provided. No
reservations are required for this FREE drop-in program.
The
Giving Tree
Visit our Discovery Center and pick an ornament from the Giving Tree. Bring
the item listed on the ornament or something from the list below
to Sulphur Creek and place it under the Giving Tree. Then sign
your name on an ornament and add it to our Wall of Giving! Your
gift will be used all year to help care for the 900 animals that
come to the hospital each year, as well as, our 100 resident animals. Every
little bit helps. The animals thank you!
Wish List: Examples of items needed:
Canned dog food – for feeding opossums, raccoons & resident animals
Wild Bird Seed (without sunflower seeds) – for feeding songbirds
and doves
Walnuts in the shell – for teaching baby squirrels to forage for
food
Pet or grocery store gift cards – for food supplies for all the critters
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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