By Sally Hedberg
Special to the Town Crier

It’s summer, school is out and the Idyllwild Nature Center is once again offering the Junior Naturalist Program for children ages 7 to 12. The first program is “All About Water,” a timely topic for all ages. Children will learn about the water cycle, do an experiment, play a water game, take a hike and have a special snack that represents air quality. This all happens starting this Saturday at the Nature Center, 25225 Highway 243, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $4 per child.

The remaining five programs will be announced later, but the dates for Junior Naturalists are the Saturdays of June 20, July 18 and 25, and Aug. 1 and 15. All the programs will have a specific topic that includes crafts, hikes and snacks. In between, the children will enjoy the Lemon Lily Festival on July 11 and 12, and Butterfly Daze Aug. 8, all at the center.

The Nature Center has been awarded a grant to hire middle school and high school interns who, with the guidance of adult mentors, will plan and conduct the Junior Naturalist programs. Mentors and interns will meet on June 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the center for the first planning session. Anyone with questions concerning the program may call Jyoti at 951-659-3850.