Where the Wild Things Grow

Where the Wild Things Grow: Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary

September
12
Spend a half-day with Out Our Front Door on a short bike ride and service day on the Lakefront!

Spend a half-day with Out Our Front Door on a short bike ride and service day on the Lakefront!

Join us for a day ride to Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary for 3 hours of environmental education and service. We will join with volunteers from the Lake View Citizens Council in stewardship activities such as litter pickup, trail mulching, invasive plant removal, and more.

We will meet at the Patagonia Chicago Mag Mile store (48 E Walton St) at 9am for coffee and a Patagonia product giveaway. Your RSVP to the event and a suggested donation of $5 (or more!) to support our friends at Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary and enters you for a chance to win.

At 9:20am, we will head out on bikes to Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, with our service day ending around 1pm. The ride will be roughly 4.5 miles on mostly bike trail. If you can't make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the day we love that!  Afterwards, we'll have an optional hangout to get lunch and a drink nearby.

What to Bring:

•A thermos / mug for free coffee from Patagonia!

•A water bottle

•Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, and a bike lock.

•Water and snacks.

•Gardening gloves if you want your own, they will provide some at the sanctuary. We will likely be removing some thorny, woody plants so long sleeves and sturdy pants are a must!

•Clothes to keep you protected and dry. We'll be riding rain or shine and this is an outdoor event so prepare for the weather!

•Any knowledge you'd like to share about local ecosystems, flora or fauna and why we love them!

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Where the Wild Things Grow

Where the Wild Things Grow: Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary

Spend a half-day with Out Our Front Door on a short bike ride and service day on the Lakefront!
Start: September 12, 7:00 am
Price: $5
Purchase Tickets
Purchase Tickets

Radical Inclusivity

Our number one value at Out Our Front Door is to be Welcoming. And we often think, talk, and act on that through something we call Radical Inclusivity.
Read our statement

Radical Inclusivity and Non‑Discrimination Statement

We at Out Our Front Door believe in the radical inclusion of all people on our bike camping trips. Regardless of your race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, or even the types of bikes you ride, we want you rollin’ with us. We want everyone to feel welcome. As a participant of an Out Our Front Door event, you are inherently agreeing to Ride and Let Ride.
If you exhibit any micro-aggressions observed by leaders, such as being judgmental of another’s bike, touring experience/skill, mansplaining, or generally being unfriendly you will be politely yet firmly corrected by OOFD leaders. If you commit any serious offense such as repeated unwanted flirtation, sexual harassment, overt racism, etc., you will be asked to leave the tour without a refund and will no longer be welcomed on future rides.
If you feel you are a victim of any of the above or have observed it, please raise the issue with one of our ride leaders, and they will handle the issue accordingly and with appropriate discretion.
We have this policy in place because we want everyone to feel safe and welcome. Out Our Front Door is an open community of bike campers, and we will forever work to bring all sorts of folks into the fold. Thank you for being a positive contributor to that community.

Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that every path we travel is on Native land, and we offer this land acknowledgment with respect for those who came before us.
Read our statement

Land Acknowledgement

Chicago is the traditional homeland of the Council of the Three Fires: The Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Tribes like the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Sac, and Fox also called this area home. Located at the intersection of several great waterways, the land naturally became a site of travel and healing for many Tribes. American Indians continue to call this area home, and now Chicago is home to the third largest Urban American Indian community that still practices their heritage traditions and cares for the land and waterways. Today, Chicago continues to be a place that calls many people from diverse backgrounds to live and gather.
This land acknowledgment is from the American Indian Center of Chicago.

Events

Check out our lineup of guided rides and local events that bring people together through bicycling, nature and a shared curiosity for the world just outside your door.

Family Blackwell 2026

August
14
–
16

A 3-Day 2-Night Bike Camping Adventure for Kids and Families from Oak Park, Illinois, to Blackwell Forest Preserve in West Chicago, IL

Waterways to the West

August
21
–
23

A 3-day, 2-night Bike Camping Adventure from Chicago to Starved Rock State Park

Flock Off the Block

August
29
–
30

Huge 2-Day Bike Camping trip, from Chicago to Camp Sullivan Woods across varying routes and adventures. 100 people total. Kids welcome.

See all events
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