Wildwood Park Events

Call to the Artist

July 28, 2019 - January 21, 2020

Join the fun in making outdoor art in the park!  Submit your Art In The Wild idea today.  It’s easy and free.  Go to www.wildwoodlake.org and submit an application by January 21, 2020.



Photography Contest Display

December 14, 2019 - January 25, 2020

Visit the Olewine Nature Center to view and vote for your favorite photos! Take a tour of more than one hundred beautiful exhibited photo entries. Winners will be announced Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 1 pm. Prizes will be awarded for winning entries. The People’s Choice awards will be announced after the display ends. Closed 12/25, 1/1, and Mondays.

When & Where: 10:00am-4:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Art In The Wild Workshop

December 14, 2019

To assist Art In The Wild installation proposals, an informal workshop will be held to review the do’s and don’ts of construction/design. This workshop is intended to help participants assemble better proposals by identifying potential problems that could jeopardize a proposal’s selection. Register here.

When & Where: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Fee: Free

Winter Discovery at Wildwood Park

December 14, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Visit the Olewine Nature Center, where special exhibits will highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter. Self-guided stations will help visitors understand more about natural history and enhance a winter outdoor experience. Closed Dec. 25th and Mondays.

When & Where: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Fee: Free

Natural Ornaments

December 15, 2019

Children and their chaperones are invited to make holiday ornaments using pine cones, milkweed pods, and other natural materials. Everything but the creativity will be supplied to make works of art. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per participant


Kids Discover: Animal Adaptations

January 11, 2020


Do different birds have different types of feathers? What can you learn from examining an animal’s fur, teeth or feet? Answer these questions and more as we look at pelts, skulls, feathers, and other animal artifacts to learn how animals are uniquely adapted to habitats. Space is limited. Register here. 

When & Where: 1:30pm - 3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, parents are free

Winter Lecture Series Spotlight on PA State Species: Eastern Hemlock - Our State Tree

January 14, 2020


The Eastern Hemlock was designated as Pennsylvania’s official state tree in 1931. Hemlock trees are important to our environment and provide shelter for many shrubs, birds, and our native brook trout. However, our state tree is currently under attack by an invasive insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid. Join Nate Reagle, DCNR Bureau of Forestry Ecologist, for a presentation on the Eastern Hemlock. Register here.

When & Where: 7:00pm - 8:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

FULL Cadettes: Night Owl

January 18, 2020

Night has captured human imagination since the dawn of time. As day turns to night, scouts will explore Wildwood, discover the myths of the stars and moon and learn about adaptations of night animals. Turn out the lights, tune in your senses, and step out into the night! Please bring a drink, snack and a light dinner. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Two dates are offered for this program please only choose one. Register here.

When & Where: 4:00pm – 8:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10

Winter Lecture Series Spotlight on PA State Species: White-tailed Deer - Our State Mammal

January 28, 2020


White-tailed Deer, designated as Pennsylvania’s state animal in 1959, have been thriving in our forests for years. However, their populations have recently been threatened by Chronic Wasting Disease which is slowly spreading throughout the state. Join us to learn more from a PA Game Commission expert about how this alarming disease is impacting our state animal. Register here.

When & Where: 7:00pm - 8:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Kids Discover: Owls

February 8, 2020


Explore what makes owls unique. Discover how owls can hunt at night and learn identification of different species of owls by listening to their unique night time calls. Become a lab scientist and dissect an owl pellet to learn what they eat. Geared for ages 7 to 12. Space is limited. Register here.

When & Where: 1:30pm -3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center 

Fee: $5 per child, parents are free

Winter Lecture Series Spotlight on PA State Species: Ruffed Grouse - Our State Bird

February 11, 2020


The Ruffed Grouse was designated as Pennsylvania’s official state bird in 1931. As populous as grouse once were, their species is currently declining in Pennsylvania. Habitat loss and disease are believed to be causing this decline. Join PA Game Commission Ruffed Grouse Biologist, Lisa Williams to learn more and what can be done to increase grouse populations. Register here.

When & Where:  7:00pm - 8:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free 

Fly-tying Classes with Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited

February 13, 2020 - March 26, 2020


The Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold a 7-week evening course on introductory fly-tying at the Olewine Nature Center. The class will be conducted on 7 consecutive Thursday evenings beginning on February 13. Instructors include experienced members of Trout Unlimited. Adults and youth 12 years and older are welcome (youth 17 and younger are required to have an adult chaperone). Students will be expected to provide their own tools or they can borrow the chapter’s tools each night of the course. All materials for tying the patterns will be provided. A detailed communication email will be sent regarding tools to each registrant in advance. Space is limited. Register here.

When & Where: Thursdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $20

Great Backyard Bird Count

February 15, 2020


The Great Backyard Bird Count is a citizen science program of Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology that relies on people to provide a “snapshot” of bird populations in February. Birders from Appalachian Audubon Society and Audubon Pennsylvania will be on hand to help people of all ages learn more about bird ID. This is a chance to enjoy winter birds from the warmth of the indoors. A guided bird walk will be offered at 1 pm following the count, weather permitting. Register here.

When & Where: ongoing from 10:00am - 1:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Preschool Storytime: Winter at Wildwood

February 19, 2020


Join a Dauphin County Library System Librarian and Wildwood Environmental Educator for a fun story session for children ages 2-5. Stories, songs, rhymes, play, and a take-home craft will introduce Wildwood critters and the joy of books and language to youngsters. Space is limited. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am - 10:45am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free 

FULL Cadettes: Night Owl

February 22, 2020


Night has captured human imagination since the dawn of time. As day turns to night, scouts will explore Wildwood, discover the myths of the stars and moon and learn about adaptations of night animals. Turn out the lights, tune in your senses, and step out into the night! Please bring a drink, snack and a light dinner. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Two dates are offered for this program please only choose one. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 1:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10

Winter Lecture Series Spotlight on PA State Species: Eastern Hellbender - Our State Amphibian

February 25, 2020


The Eastern Hellbender became Pennsylvania’s state amphibian in 2019. Members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s student leadership council and Lycoming College’s Clean Water Institute worked with state legislatures to pass this bill. Join Emily Thorpe, PA Student Leadership Coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, along with representatives from the Student Leadership Council as they discuss this amphibian and their journey to make the Eastern Hellbender Pennsylvania’s first state amphibian. Register here.

When & Where: 7:00pm - 8:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Boy and Girl Scouts: Juniors, Webelos and higher Scout Program: Leave No Trace

March 7, 2020

Leave No Trace is a program designed for students to learn important outdoor skills and wilderness etiquette. Scouts will be able to properly identify trail markers, discuss several ways to minimize their impact on the environment, and learn what kind of gear to bring with them on a trip. Scouts will also examine the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and the techniques behind them. Please bring a drink, snack and lunch. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Register here.

When & Where: 10:30am - 2:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10 per scout

Junior Girl Scout Program: Geocache

March 21, 2020

Discover the excitement of geocaching. With this program, scouts will learn how to use a GPS and explore the basics, and etiquette, of geocaching.  Scouts will then take a geocache adventure through Wildwood. To complete the day, scout will create a “make to swap” craft. Please bring a drink, snack and lunch. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am - 1:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10 per scout.

Bear Scout Program: Fur, Feathers and Ferns

March 28, 2020

Why are some animals endangered or extinct? In this adventure, scouts will examine the fascinating world of plants and animals and take a hike to search for signs of the wild plant and animals that live at Wildwood! Please bring a drink, snack and lunch. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am - 1:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10 per scout.

Juniors: Geocache

May 16, 2020

Discover the excitement of geocaching. With this program, scouts will learn how to use a GPS and explore the basics, and etiquette, of geocaching.  Scouts will then take a geocache adventure through Wildwood. To complete the day, scout will create a “make to swap” craft. Please bring a drink, snack and lunch. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am - 1:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10 per scout.

Brownie Scout Program: Wonderful Water

June 6, 2020

Imagine being a drop of water travelling from cloud to to stream  to ocean! During this program scouts will explore the water-cycle through hands-on activities and take a short hike to follow a stream as it flows into Wildwood’s wetland.  Scouts will become biologists as they go into the stream to collect and examine the small creatures that live in Wildwood’s stream.  After discussing the importance of water and conservation, scouts will choose specific ways they can help conserve water. Scouts should dress for the weather and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. They should bring water shoes or old sneakers to wear in the water and pack a towel and change of clothes. Remember to bring a drink, snack and lunch. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am - 1:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10 per scout.

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