Wildwood Park Events

Pennsylvania’s Biodiversity: An Educator Workshop

February 11, 2010

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Wildwood Park offer this educator workshop on biodiversity. Through the use of resource materials and hands-on activities, session participants will investigate the concepts of biodiversity, explore Pennsylvania’s biodiversity, and examine local and global issues relating to biodiversity. Participating teachers will receive the Pennsylvania Supplement to Windows on the Wild and the Pennsylvania Biodiversity video. The session will feature both indoor and outdoor activities. The activities used in this session are correlated with the Environment and Ecology Standards. This workshop may be used to fulfill Act 48 hours.
When and Where: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline is February 4, 2009. Space is limited. Register by calling the nature center at (717) 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per person, funding in part by a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Family Time in Nature: Tree Tales!

February 13, 2010

This program is for families with pre-school to early elementary aged children who enjoy spending time together learning about and exploring the outdoors. We will gather in the classroom of the Olewine Nature Center for activities and stories to discover all about the terrific trees of Pennsylvania. Then, weather permitting, we’ll venture out for a tree discovery walk in Wildwood Park!
When & Where: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call (717) 221-0292.
Fee: Free

Wildwood Winter Lecture Series: A Waterfowl Primer – A Visit to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

February 16, 2010

Located along the border of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area was developed over 40 years ago to provide suitable habitat for migrant and non-migrant waterfowl. Join the Game Commission’s Environmental Education Specialist Bert Myers as he highlights the waterfowl species commonly observed, best locations and time of year for watching snow geese and tundra swans, and the management programs at Middle Creek that benefits such a diversity of wildlife species. This program will especially benefit those trying to hone their waterfowl identification skills or those preparing for a visit to Middle Creek.
When & Where: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

Girl Scouts-Juniors, Eco-Action Badge Workshop

February 20, 2010

Scouts will discover how much of our natural resources we all consume in our everyday lives. You’ll take with you practical and personal ways to utilize our Earth’s gifts in environmentally friendly ways and learn the impact we have on wildlife and their surrounding habitats. Ideas for individual, group and community environmental projects will be explored. A “we all live downstream” walk will be included.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Family Time in Nature: Amazing Birds!

February 28, 2010

This program is for families with pre-school to early elementary aged children who enjoy spending time together learning about and exploring the outdoors. We will gather in the classroom of the Olewine Nature Center for activities and stories to discover all about the wonderful world of birds. Then, weather permitting, we’ll venture out for a discovery walk in Wildwood Park to search for bird sights and sounds!
When & Where: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call (717) 221-0292.
Fee: Free

Wildwood Winter Lecture Series: Stranger than fiction - the link between freshwater mussels and fish in eastern rivers and streams

March 2, 2010

A study of freshwater mussels in the upper Delaware River revealed that eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanata) comprised 98% of the total population of approximately 2 million mussels per river mile. William Lellis Branch Chief of the USGS-Leetown Science Center, Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory in Wellsboro PA, will examine the reproductive link between freshwater mussels and fish, and the services that intact mussel populations can provide to river ecosystem. For example, the river-wide population of eastern elliptio has the ability to filter 2-6 billion gallons of water and nearly 80 tons of sediment per day.
When & Where: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

Boy Scouts-Bears, Weather Elective Workshop

March 13, 2010

One of the best ways to prepare for a day is to know the weather forecast. Here, scouts will learn not only how to read a thermometer, wind vane and barometer, but will make their own instruments. This program also features understanding air pressure and precipitation, and we’ll go outside to log the day’s weather.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Volunteer Work Day

March 13, 2010

The public is invited to join Wildwood volunteers in the spring as monthly outdoor work days resume. Help us keep your park clean and beautiful. Call the Nature Center for more information about upcoming work day activities. Assume the Work Day is cancelled if it is raining or snowing.
When and Where: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required but please let us know if you are bringing a group of six or more.
Fee: Free

Preschool Storytime: Spring at Wildwood!

March 17, 2010

Join a Dauphin County Library System librarian and Wildwood volunteers for a fun story session for children ages 2-4. Stories, rhymes, play and a take-home craft will introduce Wildwood Lake critters and the joy of books and language to youngsters.
When & Where: 10:00 – 10:45 a.m., Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Not appropriate for large groups.
Fee: Free

Girl Scouts-Juniors, Wildlife Badge Workshop

March 27, 2010 - March 28, 2010

This popular program provides activities to learn about animal groups and characteristics, endangered species, bird identification, PA’s poisonous plants and venomous reptiles, how to use binoculars, and more. This one-day program meets the requirements for this badge (same program each day) and concludes with a wildlife walk.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Amphibians and Reptiles Educator Workshop

March 31, 2010

PA Fish and Boat Commission and Wildwood Park have joined together to offer Amphibians and Reptiles, a professional development workshop for classroom and non-formal educators. Amphibians and Reptiles is a multi-disciplinary curriculum designed to introduce educators to the biology, ecology and identification of PA’s herps as well as give them valuable background information on habitat concerns and responsible human actions. Each participant will receive the Amphibians and Reptiles curriculum guide and PA Amphibians and Reptiles book. This workshop is Act 48 Hours approved. Bring your own lunch and beverage. Program includes an easy one mile trail walk.
When & Where: Wednesday, March 31, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required, register by March 26
Fee: $10.00 per person

Wildwood Clean Up

April 10, 2010

Wildwood Park needs the help of volunteers and local residents! You are invited to spend the day helping clean up the lake, streams and trails. Volunteers in hip boots or on foot will help clean up the lake, canal, streams and trails of the park. A crew will pull invasive plants that are just starting to grow. As Earth Day approaches, this is a great opportunity to clean up and give something back to a park that many residents use on a regular basis. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get muddy! Lunch and work gloves will be provided.

When and Where: April 10, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm., Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

(Rain Date: April 11, 12:30 – 3:30 pm)

Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call the Olewine Nature Center at (717) 221-0292.

Fee: Free

Girl Scouts-Brownies, Water Everywhere Try-It

April 17, 2010

Water is probably our most important resource. Our bodies are made up mostly of water and we can’t live without it. Scouts will learn conservation techniques and how to be responsible consumers. You’ll make a water snooper and get wet while collecting and examining the creatures living in Wildwood’s lake and streams.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Registration and pre-payment required.
All scout workshops are open to scouts from any troop or pack. Please bring your own lunch, and wear shoes and clothes that are appropriate for outside activities.
Fee: $10 per scout or child. Leaders responsible for acquiring badges & pins.

PA Biodiversity Educator Workshop

April 21, 2010

Registration: Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline is April 15, 2010.

Fee: $10.00 per person, funding in part by a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Wetlands Festival

April 24, 2010

Wildwood Park will launch the celebration of National Wetlands Month with a day full of exciting, fun and educational activities. New for this year will be bird banding demonstrations and additional activities for toddlers and young children. Other events include natural history walks and talks, live critter displays and programs, hands-on activities for children, live music, exhibitors and food. The day will begin with an early morning bird walk and conclude with a special program presented by ZooAmerica featuring native Pennsylvania animals. A brochure of the entire day’s events will be available in March. Pick one up at the Olewine Nature Center or check www.wildwoodlake.org
When and Where: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free Admission

Dauphin County Streams-A Health Report Presentation

April 27, 2010

Following a 5-year (2004-2008) study, Dauphin County Conservation District has assessed and analyzed the health and quality of the streams in Dauphin County, including the Paxton Creek which runs through Wildwood Park. Come join us for this evening presentation to discover what they have learned and what citizens can do to help our waterways.
When and Where: 7 –8:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free, funding by a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Spring Bird Walk Weekend

May 1, 2010 - May 2, 2010

Come join us for these morning bird walks. Migration is in full swing and birds can be found everywhere. We will walk either the Delta Boardwalk or the North Boardwalk focusing on warblers and other songbirds but sightings of great egrets and other wetland birds should be expected. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your binoculars.
When and Where: 8 – 10 a.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required. This walk is not appropriate for large groups.
Fee: Free

Boy Scouts-Webelos, Naturalist Badge

May 15, 2010 - May 16, 2010

A naturalist studies plants and animals in the wild. Before you earn your Naturalist badge and go into any wild area, you must learn skills and knowledge that protect not only the environment and keep you safe but also enhance your ability to see, hear, and watch wildlife. This program includes activities to hone your wildlife watching skills; identify the poisonous plants and venomous reptiles of PA; explore the mystery of bird migration; learn about some of the mammals that call PA their home; and examine some extraordinary talents that animals have developed to survive. A hike in The Park will give each participant the chance to use the new “naturalist” skills they learned this day. This program is offered twice, once each day.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Registration and pre-payment required. All scout workshops are open to scouts from any troop or pack. Please bring your own lunch, and wear shoes and clothes that are appropriate for outside activities.
Fee: $10 per scout or child. Leaders responsible for acquiring badges & pins.

Flower Walk: Jack in the Pulpit Flower Walk

May 16, 2010

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams for a Sunday afternoon flower walk at Wildwood Park. White is the predominant flower color in this late spring walk. Some colors are beginning to appear. We should definitely see Jack in the Pulpits. Come learn the interesting facts about this flower and why it could also be known as “Jill in the Pulpit”.
When and Where: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

The Appalachian Trail - A Footpath for Those Who Seek Fellowship with the Wilderness

May 25, 2010

The National Scenic Appalachian Trail runs 2,175 miles from Maine to Georgia and is readily accessible to residents here in south-central PA. In 2006, local naturalist, Lorrie Preston, (Trail name "Shutterbug"), started section-hiking the trail through PA with the local Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, and has now hiked nearly 1,000 miles of the trail, including the very rugged White Mountains in New Hampshire. Lorrie will share images of trailside flora and fauna; including wildflowers through the seasons, birds, and other jewels of nature, as well as vistas and trail highlights which delight and inspire this middle-aged hiker. Also, learn where you can easily access the trail in our area for your own adventure.
When and Where: 7 – 8:30 pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

Eighth Annual Wildwood Triathlon

June 19, 2010

This activity is a great way to kick-off Father’s Day weekend. Athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to join us for fun and personal achievement. Teams of two will participate in three events that include biking 1.5 miles along Wildwood Way, canoeing 0.5 miles on Wildwood Lake and running 1.5 miles on the Towpath. Challenge yourself to do your personal best. Prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded to the top finishers in each age category. Those who register by June 14 will receive a free commemorative t-shirt. All participants will be awarded a ribbon and certificate of achievement. Refreshments will be provided at the post-race gathering. To promote teamwork, participants are encouraged to make and wear creative team shirts.
When and Where: 8:00 AM - 12 Noon. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center.
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Obtain registration form in person at the Olewine Nature Center or by calling (717) 221-0292
Fee: $10 per person, $20 per team, includes entry fee as well as the use of canoes, paddles, and life jackets.

Boy Scouts-Webelos, Forester Badge

September 11, 2010 - September 12, 2010

Nature’s monuments — we call them trees — are a necessary and precious resource. Participants will discover the many products manufactured from wood that we use every day, and the important role trees play in the delicate balance of our environment. How tall is the tallest tree? How big around is the largest tree? What can we learn about local history from trees? Is fire ever good for a tree? These are among the topics this workshop covers. We’ll learn how to identify some of Pennsylvania’s native trees and plants and then take a walk in The Park to put your new skills to the test. This program is offered twice, once each day.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Registration and pre-payment required. All scout workshops are open to scouts from any troop or pack. Please bring your own lunch, and wear shoes and clothes that are appropriate for outside activities.
Fee: $10 per scout or child. Leaders responsible for acquiring badges & pins.

Girl Scouts-Juniors, Finding Your Way Badge

September 25, 2010

Maps tell us so much more than just which road to take. Scouts will become familiar with several different types of maps. With structured and fun activities, scouts learn how to follow and give directions using road and street maps. You’ll learn how to use a compass and trail markers, create your own mini-trail, and navigate a course using a compass.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Girl Scouts-Brownies, Watching Wildlife Try-It

October 16, 2010

Scouts will discover which animals live in our neighborhoods and surrounding areas and learn how to find them. Fun activities to “tune-up” your wildlife hearing and sighting skills, along with exploring the complexity of animal language. The day includes a wildlife walk in The Park.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Girl Scouts-Cadettes, Parks Matter

October 30, 2010

Age 12-17 only This addition to the Studio 2B Focus series addresses the need to protect and preserve our national parks as well as the need to care for the things we hold dear in our own communities. The hands-on activities in this program will give scouts the tools to make a personal difference in their own environment.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Girl Scouts-Brownies, Animals Try-It

November 13, 2010

Scouts will learn the responsibilities that are relevant to having a pet and how to choose the right one for themselves and their family. You will learn how some animals communicate and we’ll explore the many ways to safely enjoy wildlife. The emphasis is on learning respect for all creatures. This program includes a wildlife walk.
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

Boy Scouts-Cubs, Sharing Your World with Wildlife-Bear Achievement

December 11, 2010

This workshop focuses on the need for us to learn to live in harmony with wildlife and our environment and to acknowledge the purpose all creatures bring to life on this planet. Using hands-on activities, you will gain an understanding and appreciation of the “web of life” and how we, as human beings, fit into it. Scouts will learn about the muskrats living in our lake and the lodges they build as winter homes. You’ll collect and log data for the annual “Muskrats in Wildwood survey”. Warm boots and gloves will be needed!
When and Where: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Payment must be received with registration. For more information call the Olewine Nature Center at 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per Scout (Leaders are responsible for obtaining badges)

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