Rakow Rangers 2023: Dig into Soil
From April - June, stop by the Rakow Branch to pick up a Rakow Rangers Starter Pack which includes hand-drawn trading cards and a booklet. Attend programs to collect more cards and enter to win a Grand Prize!
Grand Prize Details
When you collect 6 unique trading cards, bring them to the Rakow Branch Library Help Desk, where you will be able to submit your name for the grand prize drawing! For every additional unique trading card you collect, you may enter additional entries for the grand prize drawing. Grand prize entries will be accepted through Friday, June 24.
If you cannot participate in any of the Rakow Ranger programs, please attend our Card Swap on June 30th or find the cards here on the website starting July 1st, 2023.
Events
April 2023
Creativity Corner: Playing in the Mud - Grades: K-5
April 4
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
Homeschool Creativity Corner: Playing in the Mud - Grades: K-5
April 18
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
Under our feet at Rakow Branch
April 18
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Earth Day Family Festival
April 22
Rakow Branch
Full Steam Ahead!: What’s in that soil? - Grades: 3-5
April 25
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Hike at Otter Creek Forest Preserve
April 25
Otter Creek Forest Preserve
Registration Required
May 2023
Mason Bee House Building - Adults
May 3
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Native Pollinators - Adults
May 4
Virtual
Registration Required
Nature's Stained Glass-Ages: 6-10
May 9
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
Beetlemania - Ages: 6-10
May 11
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
Mason Bee House Building - Adult
May 12
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Mighty Moles! - Ages 6-10
May 16
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Bacteria Buddies! Ages: 6-10
May 23
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
June 2023
Summer Reading Kickoff! - All Ages
June 2
Rakow Branch
Slip Slidin' Away- Ages: 6-10
June 5
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
Handprint Butterflies - Ages 6-10
June 13
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Create A Cicada! Ages: 6-10
June 19
South Elgin Branch
Registration Required
Rakow Rangers Card Swap
June 30
Rakow Branch
Registration Required
Rakow Rangers Kits
Rakow Rangers Kit: Tree Exploration 2022
The Rakow Rangers backpack collection was created to encourage children to explore nature and learn about how plants support wildlife. The focus for 2022 is on trees in the beautiful forest preserves in our library district.
Each backpack kit includes 4 books, 1 fold-out pocket guide, tree ID half sheets, 6 wood slices, laminated leaves, tree word search, binoculars, leafy scavenger hunt, bark rubbing material, and dry erase markers.
Rakow Rangers Kit: Insects Discovery
The Rakow Rangers backpack collection was created to encourage children to explore nature.
Each backpack kit contains 3 books, 4 fold-out pocket guide, 20 insect life cycle figurines, 1 magnifying glass, insect diagrams, butterfly word search, insect scavenger hunt, and dry erase markers
Rakow Rangers Kit: Dig into Soil!
The Rakow Rangers backpack collection was created to encourage children to explore nature.
Rakow Rangers 2022: Tree Exploration
Activities
Information for Parents and Adults
Leave No Trace
When spending time in nature, it is important to be conscious of the effects our actions may have on plants, animals, and even entire ecosystems. We have included two important principles below to keep in mind when visiting natural spaces. The two principles outlined below are part of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
- Leave What You Find
- Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Respect Wildlife
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
