Whether it’s a playdate at Tate-Evans Park or a more structured activity, there’s plenty of fun and educational opportunities for young explorers in Banner Elk.
Our town park is an official ecoEXPLORE Hotspot–families can participate in citizen science by finding plants and animals at the park, taking photos, and submitting them to earn prizes.
Weekly Wildlife Talks are held on Fridays, 1-2 pm, at Tate-Evans Park May through July. Or, visit the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the Lees-McRae College campus for a tour!
There’s even a once-a-month afternoon “Explorers Club” that invites children ages 7 to 11 (2nd-6th grade) to “bring your curiosity” to the Explorers’ Room at the Banner Elk Book Exchange, located inside the Historic Banner Elk School (the old rock school near the center of town and Tate-Evans Park).
Explorers Club
Led by a certified NC Environmental Educator & Blue Ridge Naturalist, young participants explore a variety of topics related to geography, ecosystems, plants, animals, fungi, rocks, weather and other cool things that make our planet so much fun to explore! Fun activities are held both indoors and outdoors, and children also build literacy skills.
The Explorers Club is held one Tuesday a month from 3:15-4:45 (except December). Remaining 2026 Dates:
- August 18
- September 15
- October 20
- November 17
Some of Our Favorite Topics…
Mammals
Insects/Arthropods
Amphibians
Snakes
Birds
Fish
Trees
Ferns & Mosses
Flowering Plants
Fungi/Lichens
Geology
Weather & Space
EcoEXPLORE
ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based community science program for children in grades K-8. Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in community science.
To get started at Tate-Evans Park, find the ecoEXPLORE sign next to the park kiosk and the new Children’s Garden (near the primary playground).
May Wildlife Park Presentations
Lees-McRae students at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center bring animal ambassadors to the park amphitheater and share fascinating facts about each. Free, Fridays 1-2 pm through July. They also offer tours at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the Lees-McRae campus.