Wildwood Park Events

Call to Artists

August 4, 2018 - January 15, 2019

Join the fun in making outdoor art in the park!  Submit your Art In The Wild idea today.  It’s easy and free.  Just click here and submit an application by January 15, 2019.

Photography Contest Display

December 11, 2018 - January 26, 2019

Visit the Olewine Nature Center to view and vote for your favorite photos! Take a tour of the 100-plus beautiful matted photo entries in the Friends of Wildwood Photo Contest. Winners will be announced Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 1 pm. Prizes will be awarded for the winning entries. The People's Choice awards will be announced after the display ends. Prizes go to top votes in each category. 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 15, 2018

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 (such as weak materials) that could jeopardize a proposal’s selection. Register here. 

When & Where: 1:30pm-2:30pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Natural Ornaments

December 16, 2018

Children and adults 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 to decorate for the holidays. Registration not required, but you may register here.

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

Fee: $5 per participant

2019 Summer Day Camps at Wildwood Park

January 3, 2019

Registration opens on Thursday, January 3, 2019. Space is limited, so register early!

Kids Discover: Winter Insects

January 12, 2019

Believe it or not, some insects are active through the winter. We will learn how insects survive the frigid temperatures, then go outside and search for these cold-hardy survivors on a walk around the Nature Center. Ages 5 to 10 and their parents. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am - 11:30am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Fee: $5 per participant

FULL - Cadette Scout Program: Night Owls

January 19, 2019

Night has captured human imagination since the dawn of time.  Explore Wildwood as day turns into night.  How are animals adapted to the dark of night?  How did past cultures explain the moon and the stars?  Turn out the lights, tune in your senses, and step out into the night. Please bring a drink, snack and dinner. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Register here.

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

Fee: $10 per scout.

Preschool Storytime: Winter at Wildwood!

January 23, 2019

Join a Dauphin County Library System Librarian and Wildwood Environmental Educator for a fun story session for chilcren 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 

Winter Lecture Series: The Role of Nesting Ecology in the Conservation of the Common Snapping Turtle at Wildwood Park by Dr. Walter Meshaka, Jr.

January 29, 2019

Dr. Walter Meshaka, Jr. is Senior Curator of Zoology and Botany at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. He will discuss the role that basic field ecology has played in the conservation of the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) at Wildwood Park, how this work can serve as a template for other turtle species at Wildwood and elsewhere, and how public involvement brings about public awareness.

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

Kids Discover: Groundhogs

February 2, 2019

Will Phil see his shadow and announce 6 more weeks of winter? Where do animals spend the winter? Join a naturalist to discover more about groundhogs. A walk will follow, where we will search for signs of other burrowing animals. Ages 5-10 and their parents. Register here.


When & Where: 10:00am - 11:30am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Fee: $5 per child, parents are free

Kids Discover: Animals and Their Tracks

February 9, 2019

Join a naturalist to learn the art of tracking. The program starts in the classroom with information on track identification and walking patterns. The group heads outside for a tracking foray to explore the park trails in search of a variety of animal tracks. Snow on the ground is helpful but not necessary. Dress for the weather. Appropriate for ages 5-10. Register here.

When &Where: 10:00am - 11:30am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Fee: $5 per child, parents are free

Winter Lecture Series: The World is Our Classroom by Cindy Ross

February 12, 2019

Cindy Ross’s story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children’s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel. By sharing her story, Cindy aims to empower parents to believe they can be their children’s best and most important educators. Cindy will present a multi-media show, a lively question and answer session, followed by a book signing.

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

The Great Backyard Bird Count

February 16, 2019

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. Registration not required.

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

Webelos Scout Program: Into the Wild

February 16, 2019

Explore the wild and discover the importance of wetlands-even in the winter! A diverse community of wildlife lives in Wildwood Park. How do plants and animals survive the winter?  Scouts will improve wildlife watching, classification and identification skills and use these skills as they hike and explore Wildwood in the winter. Please bring a snack, lunch and a drink. Wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. If snow is on the ground, please wear snow boots. Register here.

When & Where: 10am-1pm   Wildwood Park   Meet at Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $10.00 per scout

Fly Tying Classes with Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited

February 21, 2019 - March 28, 2019

The Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold a 6-week evening course on introductory fly tying at the Olewine Nature Center. The class will be conducted on 6 consecutive Thursday evenings beginning on February 21. Instructors include experienced members of Trout Unlimited. Materials generously provided. Adults and youth 10 years and older are welcome. Space is limited. Register here.

When & Where: 6:00pm - 8:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center
Fee: $20 for the six-week course

Winter Tree ID

February 24, 2019

Join a naturalist for a leisurely walk with a focus on tree identification. Why do some trees keep their leaves and others do not? Learn how to identify trees in winter by looking at their bark, buds, and growth habits. Registration not required.

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

Winter Lecture Series: Wellness in Your Woods by Suzann Schiemer

February 26, 2019

Do you enjoy the aromas of the woods? Do you feel awe at the sight of a beautiful natural vista? Do you experience a sense of calm by the sound of songbirds in the early morning? If so, you might be supporting your personal health and wellness through nature’s abundance. Explore the many wellness benefits available to you by spending time in a natural environment. This presentation will highlight the green exercise of Shinrin-Yoku; also known as forest bathing. Included with the benefits of forest bathing will be suggestions on how to incorporate this practice into your time outdoors.

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

Photography Course 101: Getting the Most out of Your DSLR Camera

March 2, 2019

In this one-day hands-on workshop, Charlie Smith of Canon Professional Services will get you up and running fast with the skills you need to get the most from your camera. He'll take you out of "automatic," but won't overload you with too much detail. This 6-hour investment in your digital SLR will pay dividends over and over as you grow with your camera system. This course is guaranteed to improve your pictures! Click here for more information on topics covered, requirements, and what to bring. Register here.

When & Where: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Fee: $150 per person

Volunteer Work Day

March 9, 2019

Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Refreshments will be available. Pre-registration is not required. Register groups of six or more at www.wildwoodlake.org/events. Assume the work day is cancelled if it is raining.

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

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

March 9, 2019

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

Bear Scout Program: Fur, Feathers and Ferns

March 16, 2019

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.

FULL - Junior Girl Scout Program: Geocache

March 23, 2019

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.

Webelos Scout Program: Into the Woods

April 6, 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.  Learn to identify native trees as we hike the park and develop a plan to care for a plant and then 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 per scout.

Brownie Scout Program: Hiker

May 18, 2019

Did you know that there are trail symbols that you can make with just rocks and sticks to help others stay on the trail or to warn them of danger? During this Wildwood adventure, scouts will learn about hiking safety and take a hike to explore the park.  Then, they will learn about trail symbols and create their own trail for others to follow.   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 1, 2019

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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