Wildwood Park Events

Art In The Wild 2019: Exhibit Opens

April 13, 2019 - October 31, 2019

Visit naturally inspired trailside creations along Wildwood Park’s wandering trails and wetlands. Using mostly natural materials, artists have constructed large and small installations. A map-brochure about the exhibit is available.

When & Where: Dawn until Dusk

Fee: Free

Wildwood Photography Contest

July 28, 2019 - November 30, 2019

Now is a great time to visit Wildwood park, camera in hand, and snap outdoor photos for the upcoming Photo Contest. Photographs may be dropped off at the nature center starting October 1. Photos must be submitted by Saturday, November 30 at 3:00 pm. Review of official contest rules and guidelines for preparing photos at www.wildwoodlake.org or at the nature center.



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.



CANCELED Webelos: Into The Woods

October 19, 2019


Did you ever wonder what the woods would be like without trees? Discover the many wood products we use every day, and the important role trees play in our environment. Explore the growth rings of a tree trunk to tell its life story and learn to identify native trees as we hike the park. Then, make a plan to care for a plant, take it home and plant it! 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

Fall Foliage Hike at Detweiler park

October 20, 2019

Take a leisurely hike at Detweiler Park with a focus on trees.  Become familiar with a variety of species and learn why leaves change color. Pre-registration is not required.

When & Where: 1:30pm – 3:00pm, meet at Detweiler Park 

Fee: Free



Night at the Nature Center

October 26, 2019

Take an after-hours walk in the Olewine Nature Center, where the exhibit hall critters come to life! Kids ages 3 and up will meet these fun talking animals and visit other fun stations including a campfire to make s’mores and sip apple cider; a craft; and a not so scary halloween story. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite animal or in a Halloween costume, and don’t forget your trick or treat bag! Register here.

When & Where: 5:30pm - 7:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per participant

FULL Preschool Storytime: Fall at Wildwood!

October 30, 2019

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


Dr. Seuss Science Series

November 6, 2019

Join an Environmental Educator for fun interactive Dr. Seuss story session for children ages 3-5. Stories, rhymes, and a take-home craft/activity will introduce science through the eyes of Dr. Seuss and the joy of books and language to youngsters. Register for one class or all of them! Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:00am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, chaperones free

Volunteer Work Day

November 9, 2019

Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Tools and work gloves provided. Registration is required for groups of six or more. Go to here to register. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.

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

Fee: Free

Kids Discover: Night Time Wonders

November 9, 2019

Soak up the spirit of the night with a guided walk. Daylight savings time has just begun, so the sun will seem to set early. Begin at the Olewine Pavilion by the nature center with a short program to discover unique night-time experiments and games. All ages are welcome to attend this flat, easy 1-mile walk. Register here.

When & Where: 6:00pm – 8:00pm, meet at the Olewine Pavilion 

Fee: $5 per child, chaperones free

Dr. Seuss Science Series

November 13, 2019

Join an Environmental Educator for fun interactive Dr. Seuss story session for children ages 3-5. Stories, rhymes, and a take-home craft/activity will introduce science through the eyes of Dr. Seuss and the joy of books and language to youngsters. Register for one class or all of them! Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:00am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, chaperones free


Waterfowl Walk

November 14, 2019

Join leaders Rick and Peggy Price to search for migrating waterfowl along the Towpath Trail. There may be other late arrivals such as Winter Wrens and Rusty Blackbirds. Meet at the North Lot at 8:00 am.

When & Where: 8:00am – 10:00am, meet at the North Lot

Fee: Free

Juniors: Animal Habitats

November 16, 2019

During this program, scouts will discover the diverse wildlife of Wildwood Park while exploring their habitats. Scouts will also examine endangered habitats and brainstorm ways to conserve them. A craft and tips for improving habitat are included. 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 – 1:30pm; meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10

National Take a Hike Day

November 17, 2019

Grab your hiking boots, family and friends, and some water – it’s National Take a Hike Day! Get outdoors for some fresh air, scenery, and exercise. Join a naturalist for a hike at Detweiler Park, or take a hike at your own pace on various terrain exploring the trails and wildlife at your local Dauphin County Park. All ages are welcome. Pre-registration is not required.

When & Where: 1:30pm – 3:00pm, meet at Detweiler Park 

Fee: Free

Dr. Seuss Science Series

November 20, 2019

Join an Environmental Educator for fun interactive Dr. Seuss story session for children ages 3-5. Stories, rhymes, and a take-home craft/activity will introduce science through the eyes of Dr. Seuss and the joy of books and language to youngsters. Register for one class or all of them! Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:00am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, chaperones free


Dr. Seuss Science Series

November 27, 2019

Join an Environmental Educator for fun interactive Dr. Seuss story session for children ages 3-5. Stories, rhymes, and a take-home craft/activity will introduce science through the eyes of Dr. Seuss and the joy of books and language to youngsters. Register for one class or all of them! Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:00am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, chaperones free


Wreath Workshop

November 30, 2019

Make an evergreen wreath out of natural materials. Everything will be supplied to make a wreath with decorations from nature, including cones, berries, nuts and seed pods. Bring work gloves and clippers. Register here.

When & Where: 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12:00pm meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $20 per wreath


Wreath Workshop

December 1, 2019

Make an evergreen wreath out of natural materials. Everything will be supplied to make a wreath with decorations from nature, including cones, berries, nuts and seed pods. Bring work gloves and clippers. Register here.

When & Where: 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12:00pm meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $20 per wreath


Natural Ornaments

December 8, 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

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


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

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

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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