Allerton Family Campout

Spend the weekend of Oct. 8-9 exploring Allerton’s Natural Areas with the whole family at the Allerton Family Campout! This hassle-free camping experience in the Meadow will provide families the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and learn about nature.

Spend the day helping biologists from the University of Illinois Natural History Survey and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources catch, identify and release various wildlife, help with a fish survey of the Allerton Mansion Pond, explore a hike to look for mussels along the Sangamon River, and hear a ‘hawk talk’.

As a special treat, the Campout will also feature a live wildlife show by NHECM: Natural History Education Co. of the MidSouth at 6:15 p.m. Saturday. After dinner, relax by the campfire for stories, s’mores and a sing-along, or go on a stargazing night hike led by the U of I Astronomy Department.

For an full schedule, scroll down or click here.

Participants can also enjoy the Campfire Jamboree concert from 7:30 to 8:30 Saturday featuring the Okee Dokee Brothers, a concert being presented thanks to a gift from the Vitosky Family. It is also part of the overall Allerton Park Concert Series presented by the Ayers Family.

Food will be available throughout the weekend from area food trucks, and from the Greenhouse Café. Feel free to bring and cook your own meals as well, as long as your flame is enclosed.

Cost for the Allerton Family Campout is $15 for adults, $10 for those eight years old and under. All sales are final.

Scroll down to register.

Schedule of events (subject to change)
Saturday, Oct. 8

— 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Arrive and set up your campsite (lunch available for purchase at the Greenhouse Cafe). Volunteers will help shuttle your gear into the meadow at this time. Please check in at the registration table in the Meadow between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

— 1 to 5 p.m.: Display your catch/find. Tents with nets, aquariums, and cages will be available for kids to catch insects and display what they find. Location: Meadow

— 1 to 3 p.m.: Wildlife and fish survey of the Allerton Mansion Pond, conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Location: Mansion Pond

— 1 to 3 p.m.: Archaeology display table and atlatl spear throw. Location: Meadow

— 1 to 3 p.m.: Land Conservation Foundation Table. Learn about local land conservation and the Annual Mudpuppy Festival. Location: Meadow

— 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.: River Exploring and Mussel Search of the Sangamon River by the Illinois Natural History Survey. Information will be in display in the Meadow. If the river is low enough a hands-on survey hike will leave the Big Tent at 4 p.m.

— 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Hawk Talk, a falconry program with live birds. Location: West Meadow

— 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Dinner from local food trucks, the Greenhouse Cafe or bring your own. Location: Meadow

— 6:15 p.m.: Live Wildlife Show by Bob Tarter of the Natural History Educational Company. Location: Big Tent

— 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Okee Dokee Brothers in concert. Location: Big Tent

— 8:30 to 11 p.m.: Campfire activities, including s’mores, stories, and singalongs in the Meadow

— 9 to 10 p.m.: Night Hike on the river trail. Listen for the owls! Leave from the Big Tent

— 9 to 11 p.m.: Astronomy Hike/Star Gazing by the University of Illinois Astronomy Department and CU Astronomical Society. Location: South Meadow Hilltop

Sunday, Oct. 9

— 7 to 9 a.m.: Breakfast at camper’s expense from the Greenhouse Cafe, or cook your own

— 7 to 9 a.m.: Mist-netting for birds by the Illinois Natural History Survey. See how biologists capture and study birds. Location: Meadow West

— 9 to 10:30 a.m.: Mudpuppy Walk and Talk by Eric Smith and John Griesbaum of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Leaves from the Big Tent

— 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.: Mammal Trap Checking Hike by the Allerton Deer Hunters. Leaves from the Big Tent

— 11 a.m.: Break down and clean up your campsite. Volunteers will be available from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to help transport gear back to your vehicle.