The Season of Spring: A Time of Rebirth (And New Programs & Events)

Tomorrow marks one of the best days of the entire year – the first day of Spring. Always falling on either March 19th, 20th, or 21st, many people recognize this day as the light at the end of the dark, winter tunnel; it signifies that longer days (in terms of daylight) are ahead of us.

Traditionally, the start of the Spring season is celebrated as a time of rebirth for those in the northern hemisphere. Leaves begin to bud, the flowers start blooming, and the grass welcomes back its luscious green color. Everything seems to be refreshed and renewed.

For us here at CREEC, our rebirth consists of offering new programs and events to help the community remember why it’s important to be connected to our surrounding environment. It’s a time to awaken our souls and refocus our attention on becoming stewards of the earth. Below is a full list of all of our programs and events scheduled for CREEC’s Spring Season.

Wednesday, March 21st – DIY Clinic: Little Free Garden

Have you ever been interested in gardening but don’t have the proper amount of yard space? Or do you already have a love for gardening and want to share that passion with others? If you answered yes to either of these questions, than this DIY Clinic is the right one for you! Join us in building Little Free Gardens from scratch, all with recycled materials. Little Free Gardens are small, 4’ by 6’ garden boxes that are meant to be put in the front yard so that all community members are welcome to enjoy it’s freshly grown vegetables, free of charge. All materials and supplies for construction will be provided – it’s up to you to plant a beautiful garden to share with the community!

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: CREEC – Main Gathering Space

Fee: $10 per garden box

Ages: All ages welcome

Wednesday, March 28th – DIY Clinic: Sewing

One of our favorite sustainable practices to share with others is the art of learning to fix ruined clothing items rather than throwing them away only to buy more. At this DIY Clinic, you will learn the basic techniques it takes to sew buttons, fix minor tears, and patch larger rips. All sewing materials will be provided, but we ask that you bring an item of clothing that either needs repair, or one for you to simply practice on.

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: CREEC – Main Gathering Space

Fee: $5 per person

Ages: All ages welcome

Wednesday, April 4th – DIY Clinic: Lawn Mower

It’s getting to be that time of year when our yards are yearning for that first trimming. However, after sitting in a cold garage all winter, there’s a good chance the lawn mower needs a bit of fixing up. By attending this clinic, you will learn about the five most common lawn mower issues and how to fix them with simple household tools. BONUS: This clinic will be taught by one of our community’s local mechanics, Dale Berning. Due to time constraints and the inability to diagnose each lawn mower, please do not bring your own. CREEC will provide lawn mowers for demonstration and practice.

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: CREEC – Park Canopy (dependent on weather)

Fee: $5 per person

Ages: All ages welcome

Sunday, April 8th – River Safety Classes

To kick-off our Friendly River Week, CREEC will be hosting a two-hour class for a variety of age groups to demonstrate the importance of river safety. Each class will be tailored to suit its specific age group, but all of them will include the following safety information: how to float safely down a river, how to flip a canoe/kayak if it tips, steps to conducting a water rescue, recognizing/learning water safety signs, and other important tips for having a fun and safe experience on the river. Please wear a swimsuit or other clothing you don’t mind getting wet, and make sure to bring a towel. All participants will need to sign a waiver before attending the class.

10:00 AM – Ages 6-10 years old

1:00 PM – Ages 11-14 years old

3:00 PM – Ages 14-17 years old

5:00 PM – Ages 18+

Time: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM

Location: STMA Middle School East – Pool

Fee: $10 per person

Ages: Please sign up dependent on the age ranges

Wednesday, April 11th – DIY Clinic: Bike Tune-Up

Have you been itching to get back on your bike to enjoy the beautiful weather? So have we. That’s why we are hosting this bike tune-up DIY Clinic. This clinic is the perfect time to bring your bike in for brake checks/fixes, seat adjustments, tire pressure checks, and an oiling of gears. Dependent on weather, there will also be a bike washing station outside the center to give your bike that shiny, new look.

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: CREEC – Main Gathering Space

Fee: $5 per bike

Ages: All ages are welcome

Saturday, April 14th – River Clean-Up

To conclude our Friendly River themed week at CREEC, we will be conducting river clean-up along a 10 mile stretch of the Crow. After all, a healthy river is a healthy community. Volunteers can sign up for the 12:00 PM shift, the 2:00 PM shift, or both if you are feeling ambitious. There is an unlimited number of spots, so bring all your friends and family! Trash sticks, trash bags, orange vests, and gloves will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing, as it tends to be pretty muddy along the banks.

Time: 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM

Location: CREEC – Park Canopy

Fee: No Charge!

Ages: All ages welcome

Wednesday, April 18th – DIY Clinic: A/C Unit

Come join us for one of our last DIY Clinics of the season to learn how to conduct an inspection of your air conditioning unit. Temperatures are on the rise as we head further into Spring, and air conditioners are one of the biggest energy consuming appliances used during the spring and summer months. By attending this clinic, you will be able to determine whether or not you’re A/C unit is due for a tune-up in order to remain as energy efficient as possible. Trust us, you won’t regret it. Not only will you be helping out the environment, but you will also be saving on your energy bills during the hot summer months.

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: CREEC – Main Gathering Space

Fee: $5 per person

Ages: All ages welcomed

Saturday, April 22nd – Earth Day Tree Planting

Come and celebrate Earth Day with us as we plant over 200 trees in CREEC’s newly purchased land. Festivities start at 10:00 AM with a “Blessing of the Saplings,” and the tree planting will immediately follow. We expect the planting to wrap up around 1:00 PM, but encourage you to stay afterwards for more Earth Day-related activities. The event is free of charge, and the more volunteers we have the better! Additionally, tree saplings will be available for sale following the event. All proceeds will go towards funding for summer programs.

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: CREEC – Park Canopy

Fee: No charge!

Ages: All ages welcome

*Event times and locations are subject to change. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CreecMN/ to receive updates and announcements.