Heller Nature Center

Abandoned/Injured Animals and Pesky Critters

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Fees

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RENTAL

Daily Rental: $12/Adult, $7/Child
Heller has three miles of ungroomed trails. You can rent skis for the day whenever snow conditions permit (4” base or greater). No overnight rentals available. Rental packages include no-wax skis, boots and poles. Sizes available for six-year-olds through adults. A driver’s license or $20 deposit is required per set of skis. No reservations are taken. Cash, check or credit card payments accepted.  Call 847.433.6901 to check on snow conditions.

Rental Hours
SUNDAY-FRIDAY 9:00 am-4:00 pm (all rentals must be returned by 4:30 pm) when there is at least 4 inches of snow

SATURDAY 9:00 am-6:00 pm (all rentals must be returned by 6:30 pm) when there is at least 4 inches of snow

If you have your own skis, please feel free to use our trails at your leisure from dawn to dusk!

Rental Information

Reserve a date for your next group meeting, family gathering or birthday party at Heller Nature Center. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance. The unique, natural and comfortable surroundings of Heller make it a great choice for celebrations! Contact us at 847.433.6901 for more information.

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Party Information

Give your child a birthday party to remember for a lifetime at Heller Nature Center.  Party packages come with a fun (and educational -- don’t tell the kids!) program and a party room. A birthday party at Heller is a 90-minute seasonal program for children between the ages of four and ten. The first hour is led by a naturalist and is designed for specific age groups. Programs include fun, nature-related activities. The fee is $200 for up to 20. Refundable cleaning deposit, $75. Contact us at 847.433.6901 to schedule a party.

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Scout & Custom Programs
Looking for a customized program for your group?  Heller offers programs for Boy Scouts, Girl scouts, Indian Guides, Father/Daughter events, etc.  All programs are designed to meet the specific needs of your group!  Contact us at 847.433.6901 for details.

Custom Canoe Program                                                                                                       Do you have a group that would like to canoe? Heller's talented staff will create a program just for you!  Please call 847.433.6901 for more information.  Dates, times and availibility vary.

Honey

Heller Honey is 100% natural, produced in the hives at Heller Nature Center. The Nature Center is 97 acres of woods and prairie, all carefully managed by the Park District of Highland Park. Our bees gather nectar from local plants, including bee balm, linden, acacia, honeysuckle and other fragrant blossoms to make this flavorful honey. In addition to producing hundreds of pounds of tasty honey, our bees play an essential role, pollinating many flowering plants. The Heller apiary is just one part of our public education program. If you would like to discover more about bees and beekeeping, call us at 847.433.6901.

Heller Staff would like to thank all Volunteer Beekeepers who work so hard in helping us to make the program a success throughout the year. 

The 2009 honey supply is SOLD OUT. Please check back next August to purchase your honey.

Policies

Weather Policy
All programs are conducted rain or shine.  In the event of extreme or dangerous weather, the program will be cancelled and participants will be refunded in full.

Public and Homeschool Program Regsitration, Refund Policy and Transfer
Call or visit Heller Nature Center to register for public or homeschool programs (see Events).  Register early.  Programs are reserved on a first-come, first served basis.  If a program has low enrollment, it will be cancelled.  Unless otherwise noted, children must be accompanied by an adult. 

A refund or transfer for public or homeschool programs must be requested at least one week (seven calendar days) in advance.  No refunds or transfers are issued after this time.

Affiliates, Sponsors or Recognized Organizations

Illinois Audubon Society

Ask a Naturalist

Ask a Naturalist at the Heller Nature Center