(5-Adult) Listen to the frogs singing at night and learn how to identify them based on their calls. Program includes a night hike to learn and identify different frog calls and see what other amphibians we can find hiding amongst the shadows.

(5-Adult) Challenge misconceptions about frequently misunderstood animals like snapping turtles, nonvenomous snakes, spiders and other fascinating creatures. Participants will learn to distinguish harmless Dekay's brown snake from copperheads, understand their ecological roles and develop appreciation for these important species.

(5-Adult) Young scientists will discover Nature’s Superhero Powers. This outdoor adventure transforms young explorers into biomimicry detectives studying amphibians amazing chemical defenses.

(5-Adult) Meet small creatures with giant engineering secrets, like live invertebrates including millipedes, beetles and other arthropods. The program uses microscopy and hands - on investigation to explore insect engineering. Participants discover how insects build structures, communicate chemically and solve engineering problems at microscopic scales. Perfect for introducing young children to entomology and structural engineering principles.

(2-7 yrs.) Join a naturalist to discover the various wildlife that can be found in the lake. Search for tadpoles, insects, and frogs to catch and release, while also learning about what makes each creature special. Bring old shoes that can get wet and muddy.

(7-Adult) Solve the Woodland Mysteries. Participants learn forensic science techniques applied to wildlife investigation. Using microscopy, evidence collection and data analysis, participants solve authentic woodland mysteries. This program bridges forensic science with wildlife biology.

(9-Adult) This program explores nature’s medicine cabinet, how animals self - medicate and introduces families to medicinal plants in the local ecosystem. Learn sustainable foraging practices and discover indigenous plant wisdom. The program emphasizes conservation ethics while connecting families to traditional ecological knowledge.

(8-Adult) Join our park naturalist on a hike and explore wild plants and animals throughout the trails. Learn how to use the iNaturalist app to take pictures of things you find along the way. Smart phones, cameras and binoculars welcome. Each hike will feature a different theme and may include: salamanders, birds and other wildlife, wildflowers, trees, nature photography, cultural history, or a scenic destination.

(7-12 yrs.) Homeschoolers will discover that nature loves math as they explore spring woods and lakes, exploring the Fibonacci sequence in pinecones and spirals in snail shells. Just wonder, no worksheets.

(7-Adult) Discover the invisible universe living all around us using naturalist observation skills and simple field techniques. Participants will hunt for evidence of microbial life and discover how tiny organisms shape entire ecosystems.

(7-12 yrs.) Homeschoolers will explore the mycorrhizal networks that connect forest trees, learning how fungi facilitate forest communication and nutrient sharing. The program includes mushroom identification, decomposition experiments and network modeling activities that demonstrate the critical role of fungi in forest ecosystems.

(5-Adult) This evening program uses UV lights, sound identification and moth attracting techniques to explore nocturnal ecosystems. Families learn how night creatures navigate, hunt and communicate in darkness while discovering bioluminescence and nocturnal adaptations. The program includes owl calling demonstrations and bat detection activities.

(5-Adult) Welcome to Nature’s Transportation Games. This competitive program challenges families to design flying, floating and hitchhiking seed models based on real plant dispersal strategies. Using engineering design principles, participants test their creations in wind tunnels and water races while learning about plant reproduction and habitat colonization.

(5-Adult) Explore the remarkable adaptations and behaviors of these specialized predators through hands-on encounters with non-venomous snake ambassadors. Discover the sophisticated hunting strategies, sensory capabilities and ecological roles that makes this reptiles masters of evolutionary design.

(5-Adult) Join a naturalist to meet live snakes and learn why snakes are important. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

(5-Adult) This outdoor adventure transforms young and mature scientists into wetland detectives who explore magical temporary pools that appear only in spring.

(7-12 yrs.) We will be predicting tomorrow’s weather using ancient animal wisdom. Homeschoolers will study how animals respond to atmospheric changes and create their own weather monitoring station. This program combines meteorology with animal behavior observation.

(7-12 yrs.) CSI meets nature - solve the woodland mysteries. Participants learn forensic science techniques applied to wildlife investigation. Using microscopy, evidence collection and data analysis, participants solve authentic woodland mysteries. This program bridges forensic science with wildlife biology.