ADULT FIELD TRIPS
Registration begins March 10!
Adult field trips are local outings designed to explore all the amazing things the Fox Cities has to offer. We take the work out of planning, all you need to do is sign up and meet us there!
Please note that transportation is not provided for these trips, and it is your responsibility to meet at the trip location at the designated time.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Register online or by visiting the Member Services Desk of any YMCA of the Fox Cities locations. Please click the registration button for your desired trips!
COST: $3/trip
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Julie Swiecichowski
920.886.2177
jswiecichowski@ymcafoxcities.org
Golf Outing with Fellow YMCA Members
Tuesday, April 29 | 9:00 AM
Let's gather at Winagamie Golf Club just as the season is beginning! Join our resident golf instructors, Griffin Shimanek and Brandon Thielen at Winegamie Golf Club. Brandon and Griffin will help with our swing at the driving range and give tips for chipping and putting at the practice putting green. After our practice sessions, we will decide whether we want to ‘hit the links’ for a round of 9-holes or maybe just retire to the clubhouse for lunch and/or a refreshment.
Registration ends: Tuesday, April 22
Hike Memorial Park in Neenah
Wednesday, May 21 | 8:30-10:00 AM
This hike at Memorial Park will be a woodland wildflower hike. The park is a small 20-acre woodlot that was donated to the city of Neenah by Henry Swatscheno in a 105-acre recreational park. This woodlot was never logged or grazed and holds many of the original old-growth oak and maple trees. Some of these trees have fallen with the onset of new development over the past decade, but the ground layer of woodland wildflowers still remains as a lovely carpet of color in the spring. Trillium, Spring Beauty, Trout Lily, and Wild Geranium are some of the spring ephemerals we will discover and learn about as we hike. We will meet at the Memorial Tullar Shelter on the north side of the park.
Registration ends: Tuesday, May 14
Hike at Heckrodt Wetland Reserve
Wednesday, June 18 | 8:30-10:00 AM
This hike at Heckrodt Wetland Reserve will focus on the wetlands as a habitat and nursery. The Reserve started as a 5-acre donation from Frank Heckrodt in 1976 and grew into a 76-acre urban nature reserve since then. It started as a trail through the swamp and grew into many different habitats, including forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, open field, and upland forest. We will explore all the habitats in this area, but primarily focus on the wetland as a filter for the adjacent Lake Winnebago and as a nursery for many resident birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians who call Heckrodt their home. The address for the reserve is 1305 Plank Road, Menasha.
Registration ends: Wednesday, June 11
REGISTER TODAY
Bicycle Tour to Heckrodt Wetland Preserve
Wednesday, June 25 | 9:00-11:00 AM
Starting at the Neenah-Menasha YMCA, we will take a 6-mile [one-way] bicycle ride out to Heckrodt Wetland Reserve. At Heckrodt, we will lock up our bikes and take a short stroll along their boardwalks. This time of year, the reserve will be teaming with new growth and our aviary friends. On our way back, for those that are interested, we will stop at Weathervane for a late breakfast or early lunch or maybe, just one of their famous cinnamon rolls!
Cost: Member - Free | General Public - $5
Registration ends: Wednesday, June 18
Bicycle Tour on the Friendship Trail
Wednesday, June 4 | 9:00-11:30 AM
Starting at the Neenah-Menasha YMCA, we will take a 5-mile [one-way] bicycle ride directly west. We will start on the Trestle trail, go over Hwy 41 on the CB Trail, and then start our trek out west on the limestone Friendship Trail. We will ride the trail for 1 mile to Irish Road. From there, we will venture off the trail and travel south to O’Hauser Park. This park in Fox Crossing includes four baseball fields, a 27-hole disc golf course, a wooded natural area with trails, two pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, a sledding hill, tennis courts and a volleyball court. So much to do in this 64-acre park! We will spend some time at the park exploring the trails and trying our hand at disc golf. On our way back to the Y, we can decide where we may like to stop for coffee or lunch!
Registration ends: Wednesday, May 28
Hike at Plamann Park
Wednesday, July 16 | 8:30-10:00 AM
On this hike at Plamann Park, we will be on the lookout for summer birds. Plamann Park was established as a county park in 1956 when Robert Plamann sold 113 acres of land to the county for $1. This transaction was made with the intent of the land to be used for a county park, and it has grown since then to 254 acres which was acquired in 1971. The famous sled hill is a natural land formation and the many slopes in the terrain are representative of the glacial activity that helped the landscape become what it is today. We will be hiking the trails on the southern portion of the park, starting from the Robles Shelter near the Montessori School and exploring the terrain and the bird population there. Bring your binoculars! Park at the Robles Shelter to start the hike.
Registration ends: Wednesday, July 9
REGISTER TODAY
Bicycle Tour Down the Wiowash Trail
Wednesday, July 23 | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Meet us with your bicycle at Trailhead Park in Larsen. We will head south on the Wiowash State Trail for a 12-mile ride into Oshkosh. In Oshkosh, we will grab lunch at Fratellos and enjoy the waterfront before heading back home to complete our 24-mile trip.
Registration ends: Wednesday, July 16
Hike the Thrivent Trail
Wednesday, August 20 | 8:30-10:00 AM
As we hike the Thrivent Trail, we will learn about the native prairie plants along the way. The Thrivent Trail is currently a beautiful hike filled with native prairie plants, large populations of waterfowl and songbirds, and nicely maintained trails that are good for both hiking and biking. We will be exploring a section of the trail along the north end of the property that follows along the pond and through a prairie planting. Our hike will focus on learning about some of the prairie plants we encounter on the way and how these plants are critical in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The trail are located at 4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton. Park in Lot 2 to begin the hike.
Registration ends: Wednesday, August 13
REGISTER TODAY
Bicycle Tour Up the Wiowash Trail
Wednesday, August 27 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Meet us with your bicycle at Trailhead Park in Larsen. We will head north on the Wiowash State Trail for an 11-mile ride into Hortonville. In Hortonville, we will stop at Dairy Queen and enjoy a sweet, cool treat before heading back home to complete our 22-mile trip.
Registration ends: Wednesday, August 20
Hike the Bruce B. Purdy Nature Preserve
Wednesday, September 17 | 8:30-10:00 AM
The Purdy Nature Preserve was donated in 2005 by Bruce B. Purdy and lies adjacent to the Apple Creek YMCA. It is an integral part of the Y. The preserve is 104 acres and features
wooded hills and ravines, open fields, restored prairie, ponds and wetlands, and pine plantations – all accessed through a network of approximately 3 miles of trails. We will be meeting at the Apple Creek parking lot and then caravaning to the north trail entrance to explore some of the less traveled trails there. We will hike a portion of the blue trail, the yellow trail, and part of the green trail as we learn about the history of the property, the diversity of the different animals and habitats on the property, and signs of fall. We will meet in the main parking lot at the Apple Creek YMCA.
Registration ends: Wednesday, September 10
REGISTER TODAY
Bicycle Tour of Loop the Locks
Wednesday, September 24 | 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Meet us with your bicycle at the Heart of the Valley YMCA. We will head east on the CE trail towards the Konkapot Prairie Preserve. We will then take a 2.4-mile ride through the preserve on a gravel trail. The trail ends in Kaukauna where we will navigate through some side streets to connect back to the Loop the Locks trail. This will be about a 8-mile round trip ride. For those looking to make their ride longer, you are welcome to explore the CE trail to the west on your own and, perhaps, some of your fellow riders will be interested in joining you!
Registration ends: Wednesday, September 17
Hike at 1000 Islands
Wednesday, October 8 | 8:30-10:00 AM
On this hike, we will learn about the Wolf/Fox River system and migratory birds. 1000 Islands Environmental Center originated in 1969 through the City of Kaukauna and is a nature preserve consisting of 350 acres and 7 miles of trails following the south shoreline of the Fox River. Trails near the nature center consist of boardwalks through the flood plains, and trails further downriver are partially paved and partially dirt and woodchip. Depending on the weather conditions and the water level, we may explore the preserve starting at the nature center and working our way downriver, or we may caravan to the paved trails by the kayak launch and explore the upland. The upland area is filled with a healthy and beautifully diverse mesic forest with many deciduous trees that may be at their peak colors. We may also encounter some migrating waterfowl or an eagle or two so bring your binoculars! The environmental center is located at 1000 Beaulieu Court in Kaukauna. Park in the lot near the nature center.
Registration end date: Wednesday, October 1
REGISTER TODAY
Bicycle Tour to Somewhere
Wednesday, October 15 | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
We will be taking a bicycle tour somewhere on Wednesday, October 15. Perhaps we’ll explore the Newton Blackmour State Trail that goes through Black Creek. Or maybe the group will be interested in traveling to Greenleaf to hop on the Fox River State Trail. While we are not yet sure where this tour will take us, mark your calendars, register online and share your ideas for this adventure!
Registration end date: Wednesday, October 8