Wildwood Park Events

Educator Workshop: WILD About Endangered and Threatened Species

July 1, 2009 - July 2, 2009

The first day of this workshop will use classroom discussions and hands-on activities to explore the many factors that lead to a species becoming endangered or threatened. Educators will also learn about political and legal considerations. The second day of the workshop will be a canoe trip on the Susquehanna River to see 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 Thursday meeting location will be mailed with your confirmation.
When and Where: Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Meet at the Olewine Nature Center; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Meet at the Fort Hunter boat ramp.
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call 717-221-0292
Fee: $20 per person

Full Moon Float Trip

July 6, 2009

We will canoe to an island where we’ll build a campfire and roast marshmallows for s’mores. Then we’ll paddle to the take out in the moonlight. This trip is for people who have some canoe experience. A limited number of canoes, paddles and life jackets will be available for use by participants. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

When and Where: 6:30 – 10:00 pm.; meet at the Halifax Borough Boat Launch (Directions will be mailed to participants after payment is received)

Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call 717-221-0292
Fee: $20 per person includes canoes, paddles, life jackets, shuttle service, safety boaters, and snack. There will be a fee of $15 per person for those using their own canoe and $10 for a third person in a canoe.

Project Learning Tree Educator Workshop

July 9, 2009

Wildwood Park and the Pennsylvania Department of Education have joined together to offer a Project Learning Tree workshop for teachers K to eighth grade. Project Learning Tree has a long history as an international program promoting the study and understanding of environment and ecology. Materials, books, and handouts are being provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Each participant will receive the Project Learning Tree curriculum guide. This workshop is Act 48 hours approved. Bring your lunch; a microwave and refrigerator are available. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
When and Where: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Deadline for registration is June 30, 2009. Call the nature center at (717) 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per person, funded in part by a grant from the PA Outdoor Writers Association

Volunteer Work Day

July 11, 2009

The public is invited to join the monthly outdoor work day. Work days are an opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Help us keep your park clean and beautiful. Call the Nature Center for more information about upcoming work day activities.
When and Where: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 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

Outdoor Week (ages 13-14)

July 13, 2009 - July 17, 2009

Become more comfortable in the outdoors with this exciting week of hands on activities and experiences. Participants, ages 13 and 14, will gain an understanding of outdoor skills through personal experience. Activities include canoeing, hiking, orienteering, natural history and ecology lessons, poisonous and edible plant knowledge, animal identification, team building and development of primitive skills such as shelter and fire making.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required; Call the nature center at (717) 221-0292.
Fee: $100 per person

Still More Blooms Flower Walk

July 19, 2009

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams for a Sunday afternoon flower walk at Wildwood Park. Two species of jewelweeds, Joe-pye weed, pokeweed and bee balm are but a few of the flowers that may be in bloom. We will continue to learn how these flowers were named and some of their early and even modern day uses.
When and Where: 1:30 – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Registration: Pre-registration is not required.

Fee: Free

Junior Naturalist Day Camp (ages 10-12) PROGRAM FULL

July 20, 2009 - July 24, 2009

Junior Naturalist is a week filled with outdoor adventures for children ages 10 to 12. Campers will explore the natural environment through hands-on nature adventures including hiking, learning to use a map and compass, canoeing on Wildwood Lake, and environmental education activities such as plant and animal identification.
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call the Olewine Nature Center at (717) 221-0292.
Fee: $100 per person

Wildlife Forensics-CSI for the Classroom Educator Workshop

July 30, 2009

The PA Game Commission and Wildwood Park will once again offer this summer workshop that will focus on techniques and activities that teachers can use to bring wildlife crime solving into the classroom. Determining time of death, identification of animal species, tracking, forensic entomology and collecting evidence are all topics that will be explored. All the forensic activities will be correlated with the appropriate environment and ecology standards. Participants should expect to be involved in hands on activities both indoors and outside. Rain gear and comfortable walking shoes are a must. Remember to bring a lunch, snacks will be provided. This workshop is Act 48 hours approved.
When and Where: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Deadline for registration is July 23, 2009 Call the nature center at (717) 221-0292.
Fee: $10.00 per person, funded in part by a grant from the PA Outdoor Writers Association

Historic Canoe

August 1, 2009

Learn about the history of the Susquehanna River and its early inhabitants. On this canoe trip from Fort Hunter to West Fairview, historian Peter Seibert and archaeologist Joe Baker will share stories and information on the geology and history of the area. Lunch will be served on a river island. A limited number of canoes, paddles and life jackets will be available for use by participants. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

When and Where: 10:00 a.m. until approximately 4:00 p.m. (9:45 a.m. check-in)
Meet at the Fort Hunter Boat Launch (Directions will be mailed to participants after payment is received)

Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call 717-221-0292
Fee: $30 per person includes canoes, paddles, life jackets, shuttle service, safety boaters, guest speakers and lunch. There will be a fee of $20 per person for those using their own canoe and $15 for a third person in a canoe.

Family Time in Nature

August 2, 2009

This program is for families with pre-school to early elementary aged children who enjoy spending time together outdoors. We will gather in the classroom of the Olewine Nature Center and then venture out for a discovery walk and other activities in Wildwood Park. In case of rain, we will have indoor activities and a story.
When and Where: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required.
Fee: $5 per family

Wildwood Photography Day Camp

August 3, 2009 - August 7, 2009

Participants from ages 10 to 14 will explore nature and wildlife through the camera lens. Students will be provided advanced digital cameras to use during the week courtesy of Canon Corporation. With instructor Charlie Smith of the Harrisburg Camera Club, students will learn camera operations and techniques, basic composition, lighting and close-up and macro photography while focusing on landscape, nature and wildlife subjects.
When and Where: Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wed 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Call the nature center at (717) 221-0292.
Fee: $100 per person

Volunteer Work Day

August 8, 2009

Heat Tolerant Plants Walk

August 9, 2009

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams for a Sunday afternoon flower walk at Wildwood Park. Rose mallows on the North Boardwalk may be seen along with New York ironweed and great lobelia. Common ragweed, responsible for a great deal of allergic response, will be identified in many places along the trail.
When and Where: 1:30 – 3 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

Dedication of Memorial Bricks

September 8, 2009

The Friends of Wildwood invite you to attend the dedication of new bricks for the memorial walkway in the sensory garden.
When and Where: 6-6:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

Coming Home: An Illustrated Talk by Marcia Bonta

September 8, 2009

Natural history writer Marcia Bonta will present a cultural and natural history of her family’s home on top of Bald Eagle Mountain, the westernmost ridge of Pennsylvania's ridge-and-valley section. It will include historical photos of the family that first settled the farm and what brought them there, her own family’s early years of homesteading, and many photos of the seasons, animals, birds and plants that they see there. She will bring their 37 years at the farm up-to-date with photos of the eastern golden eagle radio tagging on the property and the threats Pennsylvania’s ridges (and valleys) face from industrial wind farms, natural gas drilling, other developments.
When and Where: 7 – 8:30 p.m., meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Registration: Pre-registration is not required.
Fee: Free

[ top ]