About the Nature Center

Since opening its doors in 1980, The Nature Center has been a vibrant natural resource for education and conservation in suburban Chicago. Nestled in the heart of the Village of Itasca, Illinois, and located just minutes from its downtown area and train station, you can enjoy 2 miles of hiking trails through a shady woodland, fragrant prairie, and a lush cattail marsh. One mile of concrete paths has been added! You can also stop in at the visitor’s center where children of all ages will enjoy free crafts, and more.

The Nature Center offers a variety of programs for local schools, scouts and families. We teach topics ranging from native plants and animals to environmental restoration. The Nature Center is a wonderful place to come out and enjoy a summer of fun at one of our many nature day camps.

The Village of Itasca’s Nature Center is located (view map) south of the Itasca Community Library and Park District Water Park at Catalpa Avenue and Irving Park Road. Parking is available at the Nature Center (small lot) and at the Water Park (larger lot).

In 1976, a new station was built directly next to the original. Once the new station was completed, the 103 year-old station was slated to be demolished. The Itasca Historical Society rallied and saved the depot from this fate. It was moved on December 6, 1976, down Irving Park Road 864 feet to its current location. Since then it has served at the Itasca Historical Depot Museum.

Hiking and Bird-watching
Snowshoeing (weather permitting)
Interactive displays
Butterfly garden and Hummingbird garden
Picnic shelter and Campfire Pit

The Springbrook Nature Center was recently remodeled inside with new exhibits installed!

Visit our 10 resident raptors: Gyrfalcon, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vulture, Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Kestrel, and Screech Owl outside at the mews! Stop by the outdoor mews to see the 10 resident raptors! Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vulture, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Gyrfalcon and more. Wings & Talons, Inc. opens in new tab provides and takes care of the raptors.

Springbrook Nature Center

130 Forest Ave
Itasca, IL 60143

630-773-5572

Building Hours

Memorial Day-Labor Day
Mon-Fri	2pm-7pm
Sat & Sun	12pm-5pm

September-October
Tue & Thu	4pm-7pm
Sat & Sun	11am-5pm
Mon/Wed/Fri	Closed

November-March
Sat & Sun	11am-5pm
Mon-Fri	Closed

April-May
Tue & Thu	4pm-7pm
Sat & Sun	11am-5pm
Mon/Wed/Fri	Closed

Rent the Nature Center

To rent the Nature Center, Shelter and Camp Fire Pit call Chris at 630-773-2257

Springbrook Nature Center Programs

Junior Naturalist Club

#531400-01 JN Club opens in new tab		Ages: 10 - 16.9
Dates: 02/24/2022 to 01/24/2030	Days of the Week Thu	Duration: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Nature School - Stretch, Roar & Explore

#531401-07 Nature School - Stretch, Roar & Explore opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $192 Non- Res / $168 Res
Dates: 03/03/2026 to 04/28/2026	Days of the Week Tue	Duration: 12:45 AM - 2:15 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#531401-08 Stay and Play opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $90 Non- Res / $90 Res
Dates: 03/03/2026 to 04/28/2026	Days of the Week Tue	Duration: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Nature School - Little Learners

#531402-07 Nature School - Little Learners opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $192 Non- Res / $168 Res
Dates: 03/05/2026 to 04/30/2026	Days of the Week Thu	Duration: 12:45 AM - 2:15 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#531402-08 Stay and Play opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $90 Non- Res / $90 Res
Dates: 03/05/2026 to 04/30/2026	Days of the Week Thu	Duration: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Nature School - Little Sprouts Art Studio

#531403-05 Nature School - Little Sprouts Art Studio opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $144 Non- Res / $126 Res
Dates: 04/13/2026 to 05/18/2026	Days of the Week Mon	Duration: 12:45 AM - 2:15 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#531403-06 Stay and Play opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $75 Non- Res / $75 Res
Dates: 04/13/2026 to 05/18/2026	Days of the Week Mon	Duration: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Nature School - Weather Wonders

#531404-05 Nature School - Weather Wonders opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $144 Non- Res / $126 Res
Dates: 04/15/2026 to 05/20/2026	Days of the Week Wed	Duration: 12:45 AM - 2:15 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#531404-06 Stay and Play opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $75 Non- Res / $75 Res
Dates: 04/15/2026 to 05/20/2026	Days of the Week Wed	Duration: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Nature School - Footprint Fridays

#531405-05 Nature School - Footprint Fridays opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $144 Non- Res / $126 Res
Dates: 04/17/2026 to 05/22/2026	Days of the Week Fri	Duration: 12:45 AM - 2:15 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#531405-06 Stay and Play opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9	Cost: $75 Non- Res / $75 Res
Dates: 04/17/2026 to 05/22/2026	Days of the Week Fri	Duration: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Earth Day Eco-Explorers!

#321433-01 Earth Day Eco-Explorers! opens in new tab		Ages: 4 - 8.9
Dates: 04/22/2026 to 04/22/2026	Days of the Week Wed	Duration: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Bug Explorers

#321428-01 Bug Explorers opens in new tab		Ages: 6 - 10.9	Cost: $14 Nature Center Misc Non-Resident / $12 NC Misc Resident
Dates: 04/29/2026 to 04/29/2026	Days of the Week Wed	Duration: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Buzz into Spring

#311426-01 Buzz into Spring opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 6.9	Cost: $18 NC Misc Resident / $21 Nature Center Misc Non-Resident
Dates: 05/02/2026 to 05/02/2026	Days of the Week Sat	Duration: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Prairie Blooms

#314424-01 Prairie Blooms opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 6.9	Cost: $21 Nature Center Misc Non-Resident on or after 05/01/2022
Dates: 05/09/2026 to 05/09/2026	Days of the Week Sat	Duration: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Raptors in Your Neighborhood!

#321405-01 Raptors in your Neighborhood! opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 99.9
Dates: 05/17/2026 to 05/17/2026	Days of the Week Sun	Duration: 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Mom & Me Tea Party

#321434-02 Mom & Me Tea Party opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 99.9
Dates: 05/23/2026 to 05/23/2026	Days of the Week Sat	Duration: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#321434-01 Mom & Me Tea Party opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 99.9
Dates: 05/23/2026 to 05/23/2026	Days of the Week Sat	Duration: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Summer Junior Kindergarten

#111401-01 Summer JK opens in new tab		Ages: 4 - 5.9	Cost: $425 NC SUMMER JK RES / $484 NC SUMMER JK NON / $484 Def Rev NC Summer JK NR
Dates: 06/01/2026 to 07/15/2026	Days of the Week Mon Wed	Duration: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Summer Preschool

#111402-01 Summer Preschool opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 4.9	Cost: $425 NC SUMMER PRES RES / $484 NC Summer Pres NonRes / $425 Def Rev NC Summer Preschool / $484 Def Rev NC Summer Preschool NR
Dates: 06/02/2026 to 07/16/2026	Days of the Week Tue Thu	Duration: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Summer Tiny Tikes

#111405-01 Summer Tiny Tikes opens in new tab		Ages: 2 - 3.9	Cost: $259 NC SUMMER TINY TIKES RES / $288 NC SUMMER TINY TIKES NON RES / $259 Def Rev NC Summer TT R / $288 Def Rev NC TT NR
Dates: 06/05/2026 to 07/17/2026	Days of the Week Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Dino Discovery Camp

#111442-01 Dino Discovery Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9
Dates: 06/08/2026 to 06/12/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111442-02 Dino Discovery Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 5.9
Dates: 08/03/2026 to 08/07/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

NASA Jr. Camp

#111424-01 NASA Jr. Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 6.9
Dates: 06/08/2026 to 06/12/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111424-02 NASA Jr. Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 3 - 6.9
Dates: 08/03/2026 to 08/07/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Fizz, Paint & Build Camp

#111444-01 Fizz, Paint & Build Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 7 - 11.9	Cost: $216 NC Camp R / $229 NC Camp NR / $216 Def Rev Camp R / $229 Def Rev Camp NR
Dates: 06/15/2026 to 06/19/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111444-02 Fizz, Paint & Build Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 7 - 11.9	Cost: $216 NC Camp R / $229 NC Camp NR / $216 Def Rev Camp R / $229 Def Rev Camp NR
Dates: 06/22/2026 to 06/26/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Art in the Wild Camp

#111443-01 Art in the Wild Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 7 - 11.9	Cost: $216 NC Camp R / $229 NC Camp NR / $216 Def Rev Camp R / $229 Def Rev Camp NR
Dates: 06/29/2026 to 07/03/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111443-02 Art in the Wild Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 7 - 11.9	Cost: $216 NC Camp R / $229 NC Camp NR / $216 Def Rev Camp R / $229 Def Rev Camp NR
Dates: 07/06/2026 to 07/10/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111443-03 Art in the Wild Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 7 - 11.9	Cost: $216 NC Camp R / $229 NC Camp NR / $216 Def Rev Camp R / $229 Def Rev Camp NR
Dates: 07/13/2026 to 07/17/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Music and Nature Camp

#111423-01 Music and Nature Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 4 - 8.9
Dates: 07/13/2026 to 07/17/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Home Builders Camp

#111408-01 Home Builders Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 8.9	Cost: $192 NC Camp Resident / $205 NC Camp Non-Resident / $192 Def Rev Young Explorers Camp / $205 Def Rev Young Explorers Camp NR
Dates: 07/20/2026 to 07/24/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111408-01 Home Builders Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 8.9
Dates: 07/20/2026 to 07/24/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111408-02 Home Builders Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 8.9
Dates: 07/20/2026 to 07/24/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Rain Forest Camp

#111422-01 Rain Forest Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 8.9
Dates: 07/27/2026 to 07/31/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab
#111422-02 Rain Forest Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 5 - 8.9
Dates: 07/27/2026 to 07/31/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Twilight Camp

#111417-01 Twilight Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 7 - 13	Cost: $192 NC Camp R / $205 NC Camp NR / $192 Def Rev Camp R / $205 Def Rev Camp NR
Dates: 07/27/2026 to 07/31/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Nature Adventure Camp

#111436-01 Nature Adventure Camp opens in new tab		Ages: 6 - 12.9
Dates: 08/10/2026 to 08/14/2026	Days of the Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri	Duration: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM	Location: Springbrook Nature Center	Learn More opens in new tab

Last updated April 17, 2026 at 8:08 PM. For the most up-to-date information, click here to view the live catalog opens in new tab.

Springbrook Nature Center

About the Nature Center

Springbrook Nature Center Features

The Springbrook Nature Center was recently remodeled inside with new exhibits installed!

Springbrook Nature Center

Building Hours

Rent the Nature Center

Springbrook Nature Center Programs

Junior Naturalist Club

Nature School - Stretch, Roar & Explore

Nature School - Little Learners

Nature School - Little Sprouts Art Studio

Nature School - Weather Wonders

Nature School - Footprint Fridays

Earth Day Eco-Explorers!

Bug Explorers

Buzz into Spring

Prairie Blooms

Raptors in Your Neighborhood!

Mom & Me Tea Party

Summer Junior Kindergarten

Summer Preschool

Summer Tiny Tikes

Dino Discovery Camp

NASA Jr. Camp

Fizz, Paint & Build Camp

Art in the Wild Camp

Music and Nature Camp

Home Builders Camp

Rain Forest Camp

Twilight Camp

Nature Adventure Camp