Lorado Taft Field Campus

Thanks for bringing this great group of kids out to explore nature with us!

Registration closes tomorrow!

Art has been an important part of the Oregon Community for generations. This special event, Supper with Sculptures, combines both modern and historic artwork. Supper with Sculptures will take place 6/12 from 5-7 pm. 🎨

Join us for a fried chicken dinner at the Lorado Taft Field campus, the site of the historic Eagle's Nest Art Colony. During dinner, enjoy presentations on the story of the Eagle's Nest Art Colony and a meet and greet with contemporary artist and Oregon native, Chloe Metz.

We will also see the historic Eagle's Nest Art Colony structures including the local legend Seven Muses sculpture and Lorado Taft's summer home. Celebrate our art community with the 2nd annual Supper with Sculptures.

Registration is free for ages 0-2, $12 for ages 3-9, and $24R/$28NR for ages 10+.

We are excited to be hosting this art-focused event with the Oregon Park District! Check it out and hope to see you there!

Art has been an important part of the Oregon Community for generations. This special event, Supper with Sculptures, combines both modern and historic artwork.

Join us for a fried chicken dinner at the Lorado Taft Field campus, the site of the historic Eagle's Nest Art Colony. During dinner, enjoy presentations on the story of the Eagle's Nest Art Colony and a meet and greet with contemporary artist and Oregon native, Chloe Metz.

We will also see the historic Eagle's Nest Art Colony structures including the local legend Seven Muses sculpture and Lorado Taft's summer home. Celebrate our art community with the 2nd annual Supper with Sculptures.

Thanks to NIU STEAM for sharing this great article about invasive species. Give it a read for some things that you can do to learn more about invasive species in our area and what you can do to make a difference!

NIU - STEAM NIU STEAM is a family of programs with awesomely engaging interdisciplinary educational experiences. Our programs spark curiosity, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. By igniting a passion for learning, we can change the world.

We are hiring! Seeking an experienced cook to join our food service team. More information at https://employment.niu.edu/postings/77177

We are excited to see that 3 schools have been awarded the IDNR Biodiversity Grant to help fund their trip to Taft next year! Contratulations Benjamin, Stockton, and Glenview and all the grant awardees!

press-release Press Releases

There are only seven days left to get your ticket for the Eagle's Nest Luncheon and Matinee at Lorado Taft Field Campus, Harrison Dining Hall April 14th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will also be a silent auction of unique art pieces and much more. Campus tours will be provided for those interested.

A Tableau Vignette of The Blind will comprise the matinee. This event by the Black Hawk Art, Restoration and Development group and the Oregon Park District will launch a fundraising effort for the perpetual maintenance of the statue and to raise funds for the OPD’s Youth Scholarship Fund.

Call the Oregon Park District at (815) 732-3101 to reserve your ticket. Seats for this event are selling fast. The registration fee is $70.00 for residents and $80.00 for non residents. Deadline to register is April 7th.

Our summer camps are live! If you would like to register your child for summer camp you can register here: https://www.niu.edu/taft/summer-camp/index.shtml

We hope to see you all soon!

Summer Camp - NIU - Lorado Taft Campers at NIU Lorado Taft enjoy days full of exploring and playing outdoors, as well as breakfast and lunch prepared by our amazing cooks!

We are excited to host this fundraising event in partnership with the Oregon Park District and Blackhawk Art Restoration and Development!

Lorado Taft's Eternal Indian Statue has towered over Oregon for generations. Celebrate our history and legacy with a special buffet luncheon at the site of the Eagle's Nest Art Colony and a performance of "The Blind", a play written in 1890 by Maurice Maeterlink. Taft created a sculpture based on the book and they enacted it in French in 1908. The OPL has the plaster cast and Kraenert Art Museum has the bronzed statue. 🎭

This program is a fundraiser for the Blackhawk Restoration Committee and Oregon Park District Youth Scholarship Fund. Join us 4/14 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Registration fee is $70R/$80NR and the deadline to register is 4/7.

Looks like you all had a great time! Thanks, Holy Family Catholic Academy, for spending a few days having fun in nature with us!

This is going to be a fun event for bird-nerds and those new to birding, alike!

No sound is as cheerful on a spring day as the sound of a bird singing! With spring migration in full swing, come out to enjoy a special clinic sure to help you make the most of the season with our fine feathered friends. 🦅

Learn when, why, and where some of our birds migrate. Gain confidence in your birding skills, and see some wildlife in its natural habitat. We will have an adult only and a parent-child session, each featuring age appropriate, hands-on activities and time practicing your skills in the Taft Campus birding garden. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a set from Oregon Park District!

Both clinics take place on 3/30, adult only from 9:30 am-12:00 pm and parent-child from 1:00-2:30 pm. Fee to register is $5/$6NR and deadline to register is 3/23!

We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Morris "Bud" Wiener. Dr. Wiener started teaching at Taft in 1963 until his retirement in 1994. After he retired, Dr. Wiener remained in the Oregon area and continued to contribute to the community in many ways. Our condolences to Dr. Wiener's family and friends.

Morris ‘Bud’ Wiener - Ogle County Life Morris “Bud” Wiener, age 93, passed away on February 1st, 2024 at Serenity Hospice and Home.

Winter blues getting you down? Join us for an outdoor adventure! We have 2 adult programs with space still available. Email Shannon at [email protected] or Alyssa at [email protected] to register or for more information. Registration is required.

Space is still available for our homeschool classes for January! Take a look to see our upcoming programs for February as well! Email Shannon at [email protected] or Alyssa at [email protected] to register or for more information. Registration is required.

Join us for a delicious brunch buffet over the scenic Rock River Valley. Enjoy an interactive educational presentation highlighting the life and conservation of our national symbol, the bald eagle. 🦅

Illinois is a top-tier eagle-watching state in the winter, so you can enjoy watching these spectacular birds while enjoying a top-notch menu including the famous Taft cinnamon rolls and a full brunch spread. Children aged 2 and under are free, and children 3-10 are $10. Teens & adults registration is $18R/$$22NR.

Eagle Watching Brunch takes place on 1/20, 1/21, and 2/4 all from 9:30-11:30 am. The deadline to register for the first brunch is 1/13.

Space is still available for next week's homeschool classes. Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for more information. Registration closes this Friday, January 5th at 3pm.

This event is SO MUCH FUN! Thank you Oregon Park District for hosting this at Taft and for sharing these wonderful photos. Love seeing so many smiles!

Space is still available for our January homeschool programs. Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for more information!

Tired of kids having all the fun? Check out our upcoming adult programs! Registration is required. Email Shannon at [email protected] for more information or to register.

Wow! Our dining hall looks amazing! Congratulations, LoraLee and Stephen!

Time is running out to register your student for our first homeschool program of the winter! Space is still available, registration closes this Friday 12/8 at 3pm. Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for more information.

Have you seen our Homeschool classes and are looking for something for adults? We now have 2 upcoming adult classes! Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for more information.

Take a look at our January homeschool programs! Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for questions. Space is still available for our December Constellation Art class! Be on the lookout for February classes that will be posted after the New Year.

Don't forget to register your child for our upcoming homeschool program! Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for more information. More classes will be posted before the winter holidays.

New Homeschool programs are coming! More programs will be added after Thanksgiving for classes in January & February. Email Shannon at [email protected] to register or for more information. Registration is required, space is limited.

The Oregon Park District Fall Luncheon is an event we look forward to every year!

Help! Everything is falling apart! Just kidding! 🙂 For real though, we are looking for an office support specialist. More information and application can be found at https://employment.niu.edu/postings/74630

If you’re going to the NIU football game today, stop by and say hi to Shannon and Pat in Mission’s Grove before the game starts!

This is always a popular event! Reserve your spot now!

Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving-style luncheon with all the trimmings at our Taft Fall Luncheon! Join us October 29th from 2:00-4:00 pm. 🍗

We will dine at a historic campus and the site of Oregon’s own Eagle’s Nest Art Colony. Watch for migrating birds of prey over the picturesque Rock River Valley and take a guided campus tour when the meal is finished.

This is an all-ages program great for family and friend groups! Ages 2 and under are free but must register. Registration fee is $18R/$22NR. Deadline to register is 10/22!