BAGO is a collaboration between the Winnebago County Parks Dept., Oshkosh Recreation Dept., and pdsF.U.S.I.O.N.
The mission of BAGO is to encourage kids and families to be active and go outside. The program inspires the adventurous spirit of kids by offering monthly activities designed for individuals and families. Many of the activities take place at Winnebago County Community Park or other similar natural areas.
All BAGO activities are open to the public and most of them are free. Any funds collected go directly back into the program.
920 HOURS OUTSIDE
The BAGO program is based on 920 Hours Outside - moving our bodies with intention. The amount of time kids and adults spend outdoors matters for their physical and mental health. 920 Hours Outside helps move the needle on inactivity and obesity, while also reducing the amount of time spent on our screens. Time spent outdoors looks different for each person and family, but the glorious part about nature play is that it's for everyone, no matter their age or stage of life. We encourage everyone to use the 920 Hours Outside Activity Tracker throughout the year to track their progress. We guarantee you will not regret making memories outside!
SPONSORS
Sponsors include Image 360, FUSION Footwear, 4imprint, Fox River Brewing Company, Culver's of Oshkosh - Westowne Ave., Glow in the Park, Urban Air Adventure Park, Fifth Ward Brewing Company, Blades & Boards, Bare Bones Brewery, Wisconsin Distributors, Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh YMCA, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.
2024 CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES/EVENTS
Download the 2024 BAGO Activity Calendar
FEBRUARY
Candlelight Cross-Country Ski | Snow Shoe | Hike - FREE!
NEW DATE: February 9 @ 6-8 p.m.
Location: Park Pavilion
Enjoy a candlelit night of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking at the park. Bring a flashlight and follow along with a kid-friendly storybook posted throughout the trail. After your hike, warm up by the bonfire with some hot chocolate while you roast s’mores. Limited equipment available (first come, first served). Bring your own equipment if you have it. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are not allowed to join hikers.
The storybook trail will feature the children's book "A Snowman for Little Bear." It's a delightful way to read a bedtime story to your kids.
Registration is required at pdsfusion.org/bago.
Arch of Love - FREE!
Date/Time: February 14-29
February is all about love and heart health. Get your Valentine’s heart template from the Parks Department and create your own Valentine's Day message for someone you care about. When you finish designing your heart, bring it back to the Parks Department. We'll laminate it and then display your Valentine’s heart at the Bahling Memorial Archway on the Natural Way Trail in Winnebago County Community Park. We will put the hearts on display beginning February 14.
Download and print the Valentine Heart template.
MARCH
The Lucky Leprechaun Sock Hunt - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, March 4-31
Location: Ken Robl Conservation Park (map it)
The leprechaun's lucky socks are lost! Gather your family and friends and head over to the leprechaun's favorite hangout, Ken Robl Conservation Park. May the luck of the Irish be with you as you hit the trail to find the leprechaun's lucky socks. If you do, take a selfie with the socks and text your photo to 920-479-3438 or email to parks@winnebagocountywi.gov. Please, provide your name with your photo submission. We'll pick some winners at the end of the month to win a pair of lucky Swiftwick socks from Fusion Footwear.
SOLD OUT!! After Dark Eggs in the Park - Free! SOLD OUT!!
Date: March 22
Time: Check-In begins at 7 p.m. | Egg Hunt at 8 p.m. | We are not doing the bunny hop due to weather
Location: Sunnyview Expo Center Grounds
EGG HUNT UPDATE: The egg hunt is moving to the Sunnyview Expo Grounds located at 500 E. County Road Y. Please, see map for location information.
The egg hunt will start at 8 p.m. We are not doing the bunny hop this year, but the Easter Bunny will still be there. Please, arrive on time! If you miss your age group egg hunt, you will not be allowed to join the other age groups.
We will use the expo barns for the egg hunt.
Enter at the Main Entrance on County Road Y and park in lot #4. If lot #4 is full, you can park in lot #2 or #3.
Check-in will be in the Covered Arena. Everyone with a wristband will receive a bag to use for the egg hunt.
We will be using the Covered Arena, Barns A, B, C, & D for the egg hunt.
The youngest age group (5 and under) will begin hunting for eggs at 8 p.m., followed by ages 6-12, then 13-20, and the adult group will go last. There will be two porta-potties located near Barn A.
This is an outdoor event. The barns are not heated and there will be no access to the expo center. Please, dress warm!
Reminder – Kids must be accompanied by a responsible adult when they hunt for eggs. Kids will also be allowed to accompany parents during the adult egg hunt.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You must register IN-PERSON at the Parks Department office (625 E. County Roady Y, Suite 500 | Mon-Fri, 8-4). You will receive wristbands for the egg hunt when you register. Lost wristbands will not be replaced. (5 & under: green; 6-12: yellow; 13-20: blue; 21+: pink)
APRIL
The Bird Watcher - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout April
With the spring bird migration underway, this is a great time of year to get outdoors and do some bird-watching. Winnebago County has an abundance of lakes, rivers, and wetlands that provide a variety of habitats for many fascinating birds. Pelicans, peregrine falcons, sedge wrens, yellow-headed blackbirds and snowy owls are only a few of the more than 250 bird species that may be seen in this area. Get outdoors for some birding this month and snap a few photos of your favorites.
The Winnebago Audubon Society has some fun events to participate in this month (and throughout the year)... and they are all open to the public and FREE! Take a look at their event calendar.
Check out these local hotspots for birding throughout Winnebago County.
April 27 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. - Woodcock Walk at Bohn Farms Glacial Habitat Restoration Area - Learn more here!
May 4 from 6 a.m. to noon - Oshkosh Bird Fest - Learn more here!
MAY
Hit the Trails - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout May
According to The League of American Bicyclists: May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to give biking a try. We're encouraging everyone to hit the trail in May! Whether you’re doing it by bike or on foot, this is a great month to get back outdoors.
Check out these local recreation trails.
National Bike Month Events...
May 5: National Ride a Bike Day
May 17: Bike to Work Day
May 13-19: Bike to Work Week
JUNE
Be Active, Go Camping - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout June
We’re changing BAGO to BAGC this month... Be Active and Go Camping! Whether you’re camping in your backyard with a makeshift tent or exploring one of Wisconsin's beautiful state parks, camping can be enjoyed by almost anyone - especially if there is a campfire and s'mores. Snap a selfie of you or your family camping and send it to the Parks Department for a chance to win a new tent or a WI state park sticker!
JULY
Fairy Tale Trail at the Park - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout July
Adventure, excitement, and fairy tales… Take a walk on the fairy tale trail at Winnebago County Community Park. Some of your favorite stories are posted along the walking trail at the park the entire month. Follow along with the story as you enjoy a stroll through the park. Stories change throughout the month so don't miss out on a good read!
AUGUST
Fitness in the Park - FREE!
Date/Time: August 24 at 6 p.m.
Location: Soccer Shelter
Enjoy an evening of fun, family-friendly fitness classes at the park! We’ll feature three or four fitness-related classes. Each class will be about 20 minutes long so a person can go to all of them during the evening. At the end of each 20-minute class, participants will get one raffle ticket. The more classes you participate in, the more tickets you will get. Drop your tickets in the prize bucket at the end of each class for a chance to win something special!
SEPTEMBER
Park Hunter Scavenger Hunt - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout September
Location: Winnebago County Parks and Nature Preserves
The ultimate park scavenger hunt! Explore parks and nature preserves throughout Winnebago County during the month of September. Look for the golden token at Winnebago County Community Park, Coughlin Community Natural Area, Ken Robl Conservation Park, Asylum Point Park, Waukau Creek Nature Preserve and Waukau Creek Dam. Once you find a golden token, take a selfie with it and send your photo to the Parks Department. Find all the tokens for a chance to win a prize.
OCTOBER
Haunted Hustle 5k
Date/Time: October 26 | Arrive at 5 p.m. & 5k starts at 6 p.m.
Location: JP Coughlin Center
The Haunted Hustle is an action-packed event with races and activities for the whole family! As dusk falls the fun begins. Enjoy a post-race bonfire, s’mores, music, straw bales, pumpkin decorating, and more. Jay Philpott, from WVBO, will be playing all your Halloween favorites!
$15 youth fee and $25 for adults. Participants will receive a Junk Band headband, medal, and customized race bib.
Register at pdsfusion.org/bago
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Contact Stephanie at fusionfootwear920@gmail.com.
4-5 pm: Course Marking & Set Up
5-6 pm: Parking Lot Activities
6-7 pm: On Course Runners, Volunteers for Water & Scare Stations, Finish Line
7-8 pm: Finish Line and Clean Up
NOVEMBER
Plank-You - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout November
November is all about what you are "plank-ful" for! The goal is to complete a plank of your choice for as long as you want at 10 different locations marked throughout the park. Snap a selfie in your best plank position and submit it for prizes!
Send selfies to parks@winnebagocountywi.gov
DECEMBER
Reindeer Roundup - FREE!
Date/Time: Daily, throughout December
Sleigh-what?! Reindeer are on the run! Four of Santa's young reindeer are loose at the park, and he needs your help to find them before the North Pole closes for the season.
Lace up your boots and grab your mittens because we're sending out the search party (that's you) to find one reindeer every week this month. We'll post information we've received from Santa's elves about each reindeer to help you find them.
When you find a lost reindeer, take a selfie with it, and send your photo to the Parks Department (email: parks@winnebagocountywi.gov) so we can let Santa and his elves know where to find the lost reindeer.
Each week, we'll choose a lucky winner or two from the photos we receive and reward them with a special gift for helping find the missing reindeer.
