Wildwood Park Events

Wildwood Scout Programs

Art in The Wild Exhibit

April 13, 2013 - October 31, 2013
Art in The Wild is a first for Wildwood. Come visit an intriguing exhibit of outdoor environmental art sited along the Park’s wandering trails and water pools. Using natural materials, regional artists have constructed large and small installations Map-brochure on site.
When & Where: Dawn until Dusk along Wildwood's Trails
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

CANCELLED, Boy Scout Workshop: Webelos "Naturalist" Badge

May 19, 2013
A naturalist studies plants and animals in the wild. Before you earn your Naturalist badge and go into any wild area, you must gain skills and knowledge that not only protect 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 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 learn this day. Bring a packed lunch and drink.
When & Where: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout

Bike Harrisburg: Bicycle Tour of the Riverfront with Historian Dan Deibler

May 23, 2013
Celebrate National Bike Month with a relaxing ride back in time. Bike on the 110 year old Greenbelt between the Susquehanna River and Front Street with architectural historian Dan Deibler, stopping along the way to learn about the rich history that has been preserved along Riverfront Park. The ride is co-sponsored by Dauphin County Parks and Recreation and Bike Harrisburg, whose goal is to advance a bike-friendly Harrisburg. See other events planned for Bike Month at: www.bikeharrisburg.org.
When & Where: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm; meet at the Capital Area Greenbelt where State Street meets Front Street; parking is available along State Street or at City Island.
Registration: Requested; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Bird Walk: Nesting Season

May 29, 2013

Explore the north end of the Park with volunteers Rick and Peggy Price. Search for egrets and herons on the trek up the hill and then look for breeding songbirds in the Fox Run Trail area. Possibilities include flycatchers, warblers, finches, sparrows and wrens. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
When & Where: 7:30 am – 9:30 am; meet at the North Parking Lot (along Industrial Road near Linglestown Road).
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Educator Workshop: Pennsylvania Songbirds

June 1, 2013
This workshop will introduce teachers and youth leaders to a hands-on curriculum that contains background information and activities on topics including songbird biology, migration, habitat, and identification. “Pennsylvania Songbirds: A K-12 Teachers’ Guide to Activities in the Classroom” is a joint project of Audubon PA, the PA Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Participants will receive the curriculum book filled with many wonderful lesson plans and ideas. Bring a lunch. 
When & Where: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required; call 717-221-0292.
Deadline for pre-registration is May 24, 2013
Fee: $10 per person

National Trails Day Walk

June 1, 2013

Join volunteer Rudy Gornik for a walk to celebrate National Trails Day. Walking is a low impact form of exercise and has low impact on the environment as well. Wildwood walks can bring surprises like seeing turtles and egrets or hearing red-winged blackbirds. Pleasant surroundings and company will make the miles fly by. The 3-mile walk on easy trails with short climbs will be at a moderate pace of 2-3 miles per hour. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Dauphin County employees may receive Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 1 pm - 3 pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Bird Banding Demonstration

June 2, 2013

Join Sandy Lockerman, staff environmental educator and licensed bird bander as she conducts research on the birds that make Wildwood Park their home. Learn about the equipment, nets and bands used for banding and some of the banding projects that are occurring in this area. If the weather does not cooperate, an indoor program about banding will be substituted.
When and Where: 1 pm - 3 pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Volunteer Work Day

June 8, 2013
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.
When & Where: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Flower Walk: Peak of Blooming

June 9, 2013

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to view lizard’s tail, water lilies, yarrow, moth mullein and common milkweed. Learn how these and other flowers were named and some of their uses by early settlers and Native Americans.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 10:30 am - 12 pm; meet at the North Parking Lot.
Registration: Pre-registration not required
Fee: Free

Nature Explorers Day Camp (ages 5-6)

June 11, 2013 - June 12, 2013

Children ages 5 and 6 will explore nature at Wildwood Park. Classroom activities will investigate how we use our eyes, ears and nose to sense the environment. On discovery walks, campers will use their awareness of these senses as they develop skills for wildlife observation. Stories, crafts and fun activities will be included.
When & Where: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required; call 717-221-0292 - opens March 1
Fee:  $40 per person

 

Stress Relief Walk

June 12, 2013
Walk off the stress of the work day with a hike at Wildwood Park. Join a Wildwood volunteer for this vigorous after-work activity. Start with a good stretch. The 3-mile walk on easy trails with short climbs will be at a moderate pace of 2-3 miles per hour. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation. "
When and Where: 6 pm - 7:30 pm; Meet at the nature center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Wildwood Family Triathlon

June 15, 2013

This activity is a great way to kick-off Father’s Day weekend. Athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to join for fun and personal achievement. Challenge yourself to do your personal best. 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. Prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded to the top finishers in each age category. Those who register by June 9 will receive a free commemorative t-shirt. All participants will be awarded a ribbon and certificate of achievement. To promote teamwork, participants are encouraged to make and wear creative team shirts. Dauphin County employees may receive Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When & Where:  8:00 am to 12:00 pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration:  Pre-registration and pre-payment are required by June 9 to receive an event t-shirt. Registration forms will be available in March at the Olewine Nature Center, on this website, or by calling (717) 221-0292, ext. 3. 
Fee: $10 per person ($20 per team of 2).  Entry fee includes the use of canoes, paddles, and life jackets.

PROGRAM FULL- Wildwood Way Day Camp - week 1 (ages 7-9)

June 17, 2013 - June 21, 2013

Children ages 7 to 9 who enjoy spending time in nature will investigate different animal groups and learn how to identify animals in the field. Live animal demonstrations will help campers understand the fascinating adaptations that animals have developed to survive. Outdoor experiences include using binoculars on nature walks and exploring the creek to find out what lives under the rocks. Please note that the second week is a repeat of the first week.
When & Where: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; meet at the naure center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required; call 717-221-0292 - opens March 1
Fee: $115 per person

Summer Bird Walk

June 22, 2013
This bird walk will be on Wildwood Way and the East Shore Trail to search for warblers, phoebes, wrens, orioles, catbirds, and maybe even a scarlet tanager. You never can tell what you might see at this time of year.
When and Where: 8 am - 10 am; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Wildwood Way Day Camp - week 2 (ages 7-9)

June 24, 2013 - June 28, 2013
Children ages 7 to 9 who enjoy spending time in nature will investigate different animal groups and learn how to identify animals in the field. Live animal demonstrations will help campers understand the fascinating adaptations that animals have developed to survive. Outdoor experiences include using binoculars on nature walks and exploring the creek to find out what lives under the rocks. Please note that the second week is a repeat of the first week.
When & Where: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; meet at the naure center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required; call 717-221-0292 - opens March 1
Fee: $115 per person

Educator Workshop:WILD About Endangered and Threatened Species

June 25, 2013 - June 26, 2013
The Susquehanna River is home to several Pennsylvania Endangered and Threatened species. Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Dauphin County Parks for a 2-day workshop in the classroom, on the river and outdoors to explore the issues and concepts surrounding endangered species. During the first day we will use hands-on activities and classroom discussions to explore the many factors that lead to a species becoming endangered and threatened and examine the laws and agencies responsible for protecting these species. The second day will be a canoe trip on the Susquehanna River for a close-up view of a rookery for the state endangered great egret and black-crowned night heron. Participants will receive the PA Game Commission’s Endangered and Threatened Species Background and Activities booklets. Act 48 hours will be awarded for participation. Bring lunch and come prepared for indoor and outdoor activities. Canoes, paddles, life jackets and safety boaters will be provided. Directions to the Wednesday meeting location will be mailed with your confirmation. Rain date for the canoe trip is Thursday, June 27.
When & Where: Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 am - 3 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Deadline is June 18
Fee: $20 per person

The Confederate Approach on Harrisburg by Cooper H. Wingert

June 25, 2013
Cooper H. Wingert is the author of 7 books on the Civil War. At the age of 14, he is already a respected author and historian. He will discuss his latest book, The Confederate Approach on Harrisburg: The Gettysburg Campaign’s Northernmost Reaches, which covers the actions throughout Cumberland County, in addition to covering what was unfolding in the city of Harrisburg itself during the invasion of June 1863. After the talk, he will sign his books, which will be available for purchase.
When & Where: 7 pm - 8:30 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Junior Naturalist Day Camp (ages 10-11)

July 8, 2013 - July 12, 2013

Junior Naturalist is a week filled with outdoor adventures for children ages 10 to 11. Explore different habitats by taking nature hikes, using binoculars and canoeing on Wildwood Lake. Learn about native species of Pennsylvania with a live animal program. Find out what we can learn from animal populations by identifying aquatic insects and by helping with Wildwood’s turtle tagging project. Investigate how humans fit into the environment.
When & Where:  Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required; call 717-221-0292 - opens March 1
Fee: $115 per person

Stress Relief Walk

July 10, 2013
Walk off the stress of the work day with a hike at Wildwood Park. Join a Wildwood volunteer for this vigorous after-work activity. Start with a good stretch. The 3-mile walk on easy trails with short climbs will be at a moderate pace of 2-3 miles per hour. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 6 pm - 7:30 pm; Meet at the nature center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Volunteer Work Day

July 13, 2013
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.
When & Where: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Flower Walk: Still More Blooms

July 14, 2013

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to search for Joe-pye weed, pokeweed, bee balm and two species of jewelweed. Learn how these flowers were named and some of their early and modern uses.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 10:30 am - 12 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration:  Not required
Fee:  Free

PROGRAM FULL - Outdoor Week (ages 12-13)

July 15, 2013 - July 19, 2013
Get into the wild! Participants, ages 12 and 13, will develop skills to deepen their experience of the natural world in this exciting week of hands-on outdoor activities. Learn survival skills by building a debris hut, kindling a fire and identifying edible plants. Develop outdoor skills while fishing, canoeing on a local creek or river, observing animals, and monitoring turtle population of Wildwood Park.
When & Where: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required; call 717-221-0292 - opens March 1
Fee: $115 per person

Yoga in Harmony with Nature

July 27, 2013
Certified Yoga teacher, Cynthia Brittain, will lead participants through a 90 minute yoga class designed to celebrate the joy and beauty of nature. This indoor class is suitable for beginners and will include detailed instructions on basic yoga postures (standing and seated), conscious breathing and guided relaxation. Participants are encouraged to attend the July and August sessions. Please wear comfortable clothes, bring a yoga mat if you have one and a large towel. Open to ages 15 through adult.
When & Where: 10 am - 11:30 am; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Call the nature center at 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

PROGRAM FULL - Wildwood Nature and Wildlife Photo Camp (ages 10-16)

July 29, 2013 - August 2, 2013
For information and a pre-application form go to www.hcckids.org.
Photography for Kids and Wildwood Park/Olewine Nature Center are proud to offer this workshop in photography specifically designed to educate and enrich the lives of youth and teens. This workshop explores nature and wildlife through the camera lens.
Submitting a pre-application does not guarantee acceptance into this program. This popular workshop fills up fast, so register early.

Twilight Walk

August 6, 2013

Celebrate National Night Out with a twilight walk at Wildwood Park. Explore the North Boardwalk and Wildwood Way and learn about the animals that are active in the evening darkness. Bring your flashlight!
When & Where: 7 pm - 8 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Call the nature center at 717-221-0292
Fee: $5 per person

Preschool Storytime: Summer at Wildwood!

August 7, 2013

Join a Dauphin County Library System Librarian and a Wildwood Environmental Educator for a fun story session for children ages 2-4. Stories, songs, rhymes, play, and a take-home craft will introduce Wildwood critters and the joy of books and language to youngsters.
When & Where: 10 - 10:45 am; Meet at the nature center.
Registration: Pre-registration is required and space is limited; Call 717-221-0292, ext 1.
Fee: Free

Volunteer Work Day

August 10, 2013
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.
When & Where: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Flower Walk: Heat Tolerant Plants

August 11, 2013
Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to see some of the wetland plants along the North Boardwalk.   Common ragweed, responsible for a great deal of allergic response, will be identified in many places along the trail.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

Advanced WILD Educator Workshop: Monarchs in the Classroom

August 13, 2013
Join the PA Game Commission and Wildwood Park to find out how to raise monarch butterflies in the classroom so your students can learn about insect anatomy and life cycle through observation and inquiry. Explore habitat topics concerning insects, including invasive plants, pollination and host plants. Discuss the issues of monarch migration and learn how your class can help by tagging butterflies for a citizen science monitoring program called Monarch Watch. Act 48 hours available.
When & Where: 9 am - 3 pm; Meet at the nature center.
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment required by August 5; Call 717-221-0292, ext, 1
Fee: $10 per person

Stress Relief Walk

August 14, 2013
Walk off the stress of the work day with a hike at Wildwood Park. Join a Wildwood volunteer for this vigorous after-work activity. Start with a good stretch. The 3-mile walk on easy trails with short climbs will be at a moderate pace of 2-3 miles per hour. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 6 pm - 7:30 pm; Meet at the nature center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Yoga in Harmony with Nature

August 17, 2013

Certified Yoga teacher, Cynthia Brittain, will lead participants through a 90 minute yoga class designed to celebrate the joy and beauty of nature. This indoor class is suitable for beginners and will include detailed instructions on basic yoga postures (standing and seated), conscious breathing and guided relaxation. Participants are encouraged to attend the July and August sessions. Please wear comfortable clothes, bring a yoga mat if you have one and a large towel. Open to ages 15 through adult.
When & Where: 10 am - 11:30 am; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Call the nature center at 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Think Green Workshop: Turn Plastic Bags into Crafts

August 21, 2013 Learn how to make balls of “yarn” from plastic bags. They can be used to crochet all sorts of craft projects. We will have instructions to make for one of these projects. You can recycle all those throw-away bags! This workshop is appropriate for adults or teens accompanied by an adult. Bring a collection of plastic grocery and shopping bags, a pair of sharp scissors and a large crochet hook.
When & Where: 6 pm - 8 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Space is limited; Register today at 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Flower Walk: Goldenrods, Asters and Other Fall Surprises

September 8, 2013

With autumn in full swing, there is an abundance of flowers, including goldenrods and asters and maybe even a few surprises.  Many seeds will be present and it will be easy to see the different methods of seed dispersal.  Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams for this final walk of the season to identify the flowers. 
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When &Where: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration:  Pre-registration is not required.
Fee:  Free

Stress Relief Walk

September 11, 2013
Walk off the stress of the work day with a hike at Wildwood Park. Join a Wildwood volunteer for this vigorous after-work activity. Start with a good stretch. The 3-mile walk on easy trails with short climbs will be at a moderate pace of 2-3 miles per hour. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation.
When and Where: 6 pm - 7:30 pm; Meet at the nature center.
Registration: Not required
Fee: Free

Volunteer Work Day

September 14, 2013
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.
When & Where: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Boy Scout Workshop: "Forester" Badge

September 15, 2013
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 that are in the park. Bring a packed lunch and drink.
When & Where: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout

Girl Scout Workshop: Cadette "Night Owl" Badge

September 20, 2013
Come to Wildwood Park to satisfy the requirements for the Cadette’s Night Owl badge. Night has captured human imagination since the dawn of time. But with modern lighting, electrical gadgets and urbanization, it’s easy to overlook the mysteries and beauty of the world after the sun goes down. So grow your imagination and expand what you know — or think you know! Turn out the lights, tune into your senses, and step out into the night. Bring a brown bag supper, flash light and walking shoes.
When & Where: 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout

Volunteer Work Day

October 12, 2013
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Dauphin County employees may earn Wellness Rewards points for participation. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.
When & Where: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Girl Scout Workshop: Brownies "Wildlife in PA"

October 12, 2013
Create your own unique badge and enhance your knowledge of some of PA’s wildlife. This program provides activities to learn about animal groups and characteristics, endangered species, bird identification, how to spot wildlife and use binoculars. Program concludes with a wildlife walk. Bring a packed lunch and drink.
When & Where: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout

Volunteer Work Day

November 9, 2013
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.
When & Where: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; call 717-221-0292
Fee: Free

Girl Scout Workshop: Juniors "Animal Habitats" Badge

November 9, 2013
Using Wildwood Park as our study site we’ll address the requirements for this badge. Because some of the animals in the Park are the same ones found in local neighborhoods, scouts will realize that they share much of their own habitat with wildlife and learn what environmental challenges animals face and how we can help them. Crafts and ideas to help create a healthy bird habitat in their very own backyards will be included! Bring a packed lunch and drink.
When & Where: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout

Girl Scout Workshop: Brownie "Senses" Badge

November 23, 2013
Our five senses help us navigate through life’s daily experiences. They help us do tasks more quickly, with greater enjoyment, and many times safer than we realize. While using fun activities, the scouts will learn how to fine-tune their senses and become more aware of the world around them. Bring a packed lunch and drink.
When & Where: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout

Boy Scout Workshop: Bears "Sharing Your World with Wildlife" Achievement

December 14, 2013
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 have 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. Learn about the muskrats living in Wildwood Lake and the lodges they build as winter homes. You’ll collect and log data for the annual “Muskrats in Wildwood Survey”. Warm hats, boots and gloves will be needed! Bring a packed lunch and drink.
When & Where: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm; Meet at the nature center
Registration: Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Download form.
Fee: $10 per scout http://www.wildwoodlake.org/pdf/scoutregistrationform.pdf

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