For the City-Times

Dinosaurs, rock collecting, bats and box turtles are among the natural history topics on the schedule for a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point children’s program this fall.

Story Time at the Museum allows children and their parents to experience natural history while learning about it. Books will be read by a UW-Stevens Point student. Free and open to the public, the program at the UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History is for preschool age children and their parents.

“Story Time was a lot of fun for kids, parents and the students working on it last year,” said Danielle Lewis, student employee at the museum and coordinator of the program.

“Our hope is to get as many families involved as possible, and show kids just how much fun learning about natural history can be,” said museum manager Lisa Viegut.

Story Time will be held biweekly on Fridays from 10-11 a.m. beginning Sept. 12. Each session will have a different natural history theme, with a story and activity. Call 715-346-2858 to register, then meet at the museum on the first floor of the University Library, 900 Reserve Street. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

This fall’s programs and book titles include:

• Sept. 12, “Julie the Rockhound” – Celebrate Collect Rocks Day with a story about various kinds of rocks and how they are formed
• Sept. 26, “Loon Baby” – Learn about loon chicks preparing for their first winter migration
• Oct. 10, “Boy Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs!” – Dig into the past during Dinosaur Month
• Oct. 24, “Stellaluna” – Mark Bat Week by learning about these mammals at risk of extinction
• Nov. 7, “Jingle Dancer” – Learn about Native American culture and traditions during Native American Heritage Month
• Nov. 21, “Box Turtle at the Long Pond” – Learn about how a box turtle spends its day in the pond
• Dec. 5, “First Snow” – Celebrate the season with a story about the beauty and wonder of winter.