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

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.

Tree ID Walk

June 2, 2019

Identifying trees by the bark is a possibility but sometimes difficult. On this walk we will also be aided in the identification of flowers and leaves.

When & Where: 10:30am – 11:30am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Volunteer Work Day

June 8, 2019

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

When & Where: 10:00am – 1:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Kids Discover: Frogs & Turtles

June 9, 2019

A short walk along the Towpath or Delta Boardwalk reveals a row of turtles basking in the sun or a startled frog leaping into the water. Frogs and Turtles have many adaptations unique to animals who spend their lives near wetlands. Come to see these animals up close and learn about what makes each one special. Ages 5 to 10 and their parents. Register here.

When & Where: 1:30pm – 3:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, parents are free

Stress Relief Walk

June 12, 2019

Walk off the stress of the work day with a self-guided hike at Wildwood Park. The 3-mile walk on easy trails with short climbs will be at your own pace. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Dauphin County employees should sign in to receive 10 Wellness Rewards points. Check www.wildwoodlake.org for cancellation information in case of inclement weather.

When & Where: 5:45pm – 7:15pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Bird Walk: Nesting Birds

June 13, 2019

This bird walk with volunteers Rick and Peg Price will begin at the nature center to explore Wildwood Way and the North Boardwalk. Meet at the nature center parking lot. Pre-registration is not required.

When & Where: 7:30am – 9:30am; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center Parking Lot

Fee: Free

Fireflies & Moths

June 15, 2019 Join Wildwood Park Naturalists for an evening of bug exploration at Detweiler Park. The evening will include a small hike on variable terrain to one of Detweiler’s open fields. Kids and adults will get to spend time catching fireflies and handling moths up-close. Background information on both moths and butterflies will be provided in addition to fun facts about fireflies- their flash colors and frequency. Space is limited. Register online here.

When & Where: 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm, meet at the Detweiler Park Trail Head

Fee: $5.00 per person

Flower Walk: Peak of Blooming

June 16, 2019

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to view fragrant water lilies, yarrow, white beardtongue, blue-eyed grass and common milkweed. Learn how these and other flowers were named and some of their uses by early settlers and Native Americans. Some trees may be bearing fruit. Meet at the North Lot, pre-registration is not required.

When & Where: 10:30am – 12:00pm; Meet at the North Lot

Fee: Free

Wildwood Way Day Camp I

June 17, 2019 - June 21, 2019

Children ages 6 to 8 are invited to explore the nature and wildlife at Wildwood Park. They will learn important observation skills that will be used throughout the week. Campers will discover different habitats at Wildwood Park and how different animals adapt to live in each. Campers will use binoculars on nature walks, explore a wetland, learn how we can all reduce, reuse and recycle, and enjoy live animal demonstrations. Register online here.

When & Where: 9:00am - 3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $135 per person

Get In Shape Walk

June 20, 2019

Walking is a great way to get in shape. Enjoy a self-guided 3-mile walk at Wildwood Park on level trails. This walk starts at the Nature Center, heads up the Towpath Trail, continues to the halfway point by the spillway, and returns by the same route, avoiding the hills on the east side of the park. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center. Dauphin County employees should sign in to receive 10 Wellness Rewards points. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Check www.wildwoodlake.org for cancellation information in case of inclement weather.

When & Where: 5:45pm – 7:15pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

FULL - Wildwood Way Day Camp II

June 24, 2019 - June 28, 2019

Children ages 6 to 8 are invited to explore the nature and wildlife at Wildwood Park. They will learn important observation skills that will be used throughout the week. Campers will discover different habitats at Wildwood Park and how different animals adapt to live in each. Campers will use binoculars on nature walks, explore a wetland, learn how we can all reduce, reuse and recycle, and enjoy live animal demonstrations. Register online here.

When & Where: 9:00am - 3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $135 per person

FULL - Junior Naturalist Day Camp

July 8, 2019 - July 12, 2019

Campers ages 9 and 11 will learn a variety of naturalist and outdoor skills. They will discover what it means to be a naturalist and learn a variety of observation skills they will use on daily wetland hikes. Day campers will canoe on Wildwood Lake and explore a stream to look for aquatic insects. They will also practice identifying mammals by using only their teeth and skulls, explore the science of flight, and spend a morning fishing on Paxton Creek. Register online here.

When & Where: 9:00am - 3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $135 per person

Stress Relief Walk

July 13, 2019

Volunteer Work Day

July 13, 2019

When & Where: 10:00am – 1:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Flower Walk: Still More Blooms

July 14, 2019

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to search and view joe-pye weed, pokeweed, three species of Monarda and two species of jewelweed. Learn how these flowers were named and some of their early and even modern day uses. Pre-registration is not required.

When & Where: 10:30am – 12:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Outdoor Week

July 15, 2019 - July 19, 2019

Get into the wild! Outdoor enthusiasts ages 12 to 14 will uncover the natural world while learning skills important to survival in the outdoors. They will build debris huts, participate in community science programs, and find out how birds communicate. Campers will dive into water by learning about water pollution and prevention, fishing in Paxton Creek, and canoeing down the Susquehanna River! Register online here.

When & Where: 9:00am - 3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $135 per person

Get In Shape Walk

July 18, 2019

Walking is a great way to get in shape. Enjoy a self-guided 3-mile walk at Wildwood Park on level trails. This walk starts at the Nature Center, heads up the Towpath Trail, continues to the halfway point by the spillway, and returns by the same route, avoiding the hills on the east side of the park. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center. Dauphin County employees should sign in to receive 10 Wellness Rewards points. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Check www.wildwoodlake.org for cancellation information in case of inclement weather.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:30am; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Jumpstart Photography Program for Young Kids - Morning Session

July 22, 2019 - July 26, 2019

Does your child have an interest in photography? In this newly designed camp, students ages 7-12 will be loaned a digital camera and explore the operation and functions of the camera, lighting, and composition. Each lesson contains an introduction to a project with photography tips tailored to the assignment. Space is limited. Register online here. More information at http://photo4kids.org.

When & Where: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 11:30am, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $75 per person

Jumpstart Photography Program for Young Kids - Afternoon Session

July 22, 2019 - July 26, 2019

Does your child have an interest in photography? In this newly designed camp, students ages 7-12 will be loaned a digital camera and explore the operation and functions of the camera, lighting, and composition. Each lesson contains an introduction to the project with photography tips tailored to the assignment. Space is limited. Register online here. More information at http://photo4kids.org.

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

Fee: $75 per person

Fundamentals of Photography I - Boot Camp

July 29, 2019 - August 2, 2019

Beginners (ages 13-17) will learn to use a DSLR camera in this hands-on nature and wildlife photography workshop at Wildwood Park. Canon camera equipment will be loaned to each student. Space is limited. Register online here. More information at http://photo4kids.org.

When & Where: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 3:00pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $150 per person

Stress Relief Walk

August 7, 2019

When & Where: 5:45pm – 7:15pm, meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Educator Workshop: WILD on the River II

August 8, 2019

Join staff from the PA Game Commission and Wildwood Park for an exciting journey down the Susquehanna River as it flows through Harrisburg. During this workshop, participants will explore the plants and animals that live in and along this beautiful river while experiencing activities from the newly revised Project WILD K-12 Guide. All participants will receive the new Project WILD Guide. Act 48 credit available. Canoes, paddles, life jackets, and shuttle are provided. Please note if river conditions are unsafe, we may move this workshop to Wildwood Park. Pre-registration is required; deadline is August 1st. Register here.

When & Where: 8:30am – 3:30pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $35

Volunteer Work Day

August 10, 2019

When & Where: 10:00am – 1:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Flower Walk: Heat Tolerant Plants

August 11, 2019

Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to see some of the wetland plants, such as American Lotus and the Rose Mallows, along the North Boardwalk. Common ragweed, responsible for a great deal of allergic response, will be identified along the trail. Pre-registration is not required.

When & Where: 10:30am – 12:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: Free

Get In Shape Walk

August 15, 2019

Run Wild for Wildwood 5K!

August 17, 2019

Join Wildwood Park for a scenic 5K! Bring your friends and family on a run/walk around the park. The course will take you around Wildwood Lake and along the Pennsylvania Canal. Join us afterwards for an awards ceremony and tasty treats. Come out and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center! Pre-registration is required. Register here.

When & Where: 9:00am – 12:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $30

Preschool Storytime: Summer at Wildwood!

August 21, 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

Reptiles!

August 24, 2019

ZooAmerica will provide an indoor live animal show on Pennsylvania’s native reptiles (plus an alligator). Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:00am; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5

Natural Tie-Dye

August 25, 2019

Bring your own white or lightly colored, prewashed t-shirt to a fun natural tie-dye event at Wildwood Park. Meet at the Olewine Pavilion for a chance to learn about natural plant-based dyes. Instruction will be provided. Ages 5 and up, adults welcome! Register here.

When & Where: 1:00pm – 3:00pm; Meet at the Olewine Pavilion

Fee: $5

Kids Discover: Insects

August 31, 2019

A naturalist will lead an outdoor walk for children with lessons and activities about insects. Part of the walk will include students becoming biologists and surveying an area for wildlife. Ages 5 to 10 and their parents. Pre-registration required. Register here.

When & Where: 10:00am – 11:30am; Meet at the Olewine Nature Center

Fee: $5 per child, parents are free