Family Nature Series

These programs are open to adults with and without children.
Pre-registration is required for all programs and each person planning to attend these programs MUST be individually pre-registered.
All participants under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian pre-registered to attend with them.
If you have registered for a program and need to cancel, please phone or email the Parks and Recreation Office
as soon as possible so we can fill your spot. Thank you.

 

**Please check your email several days before the program you are registered in for updated information and directions to the facility.

 

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Join Ornithologists Peter and Jane Wolf for a fascinating search of the skies over Blue Marsh Lake – hawks, falcons and eagles may soar through the air currents (possibly directly over our heads) and wing their way south. Learn about raptors and how to identify them in flight. Bring binoculars.

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Blue Marsh Lake – State Hill Boat Launch Overlook
Cost: FREE
Ages:  6+
Register by September 24

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Have you wondered why White-Tailed Deer flick their tails or why grey squirrels are so busy in the fall? Learn about the lives of local wildlife with Naturalist Hemlock Hannah through hands-on pelts, bones and more! Enjoy a discovery walk in the park searching for wildlife signs.

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Cacoosing Meadows Park Pavilion
Cost: FREE
Ages:  4+
Register by October 1

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Learn about “zombie ants” with a Lancaster County Parks Naturalist as well as the parasites that cause strange zombie-like behaviors in different plants and animals. This is true spooky season science and fun for the entire family!

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Administration Building
Cost: FREE
Ages:  4+
Register by October 6

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Fall and colorful trees – come out to enjoy fantastic fall foliage with Naturalist Porcupine Pat! Take a quiet stroll along the trail at Blue Marsh Lake, learn about trees, tree ID and why leaves change color in the fall. Tree ID included. Moderately difficult trail.

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Blue Marsh Lake – State Hill Boat Launch
Cost: FREE
Ages:  4+
Register by October 15

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Halloween celebration, plant science and garden savvy – what could be better! Join Penn State Master Gardeners for a fun and fabulous kids gardening program. Creative crafts, plant magic and more will be in store at this fantastic and festive Spooktacular!

Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Administration Building
Cost: FREE
Ages:  4+
Register by October 15

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Join Naturalist Lisa Gauker, Berks County Parks and Recreation, for mushroom science and creative art!Lisa will discuss mushrooms then lead a walk to collect them. Using creative skills and simple drawing
techniques, we’ll create fungi art! Plant and fungal ID, drawing and painting and the colors and textures of fall!

Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Shiloh Hills Park Environmental Center
Cost: FREE
Ages:  5+
Register by October 16

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Wee Ones Spirit of Halloween Leaf Walk #2823

Celebrate Halloween, learn about wildlife, discover wildlife puppets, make colorful leaf art that and enjoy a mystical and magical walk in the woods with Naturalist Kathy Grim! Find hidden pumpkins and win a spooky prize! Craft included. Strollers are welcome.

Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.
Location: Shiloh Hills Park
Cost: FREE
Ages:  3+
Register by October 29

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Stone tools are among some of the earliest tools. Stones like flint, quartz and obsidian, were used to build, garden, clean animal hides, make arrowheads and so much more. Join an educator from Lancaster County Parks and Recreation to learn the hands-on process of stone toolmaking.

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Location: Township of Spring Fire Station
Cost: FREE
Ages:  8+
Register by November 4

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

Join the adventure and explore the night with Naturalist Kathy Grim. We’ll search for eyeshine and bioluminescence, discover how our eyes manage to see in darkness, look for winter constellations and find the North Star, listen and look for owls – our favorite bird of the night. Bring a flashlight.

Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Location: Shiloh Hills Park
Cost: FREE
Ages:  5+
Register by November 18

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility. 

Opt Out of the Black Friday crowds and spend time in nature instead. Unplug, get fresh air and explore the local trails of Nolde Forest. It’s the perfect way to spend the day after Thanksgiving—enjoy the natural beauty, restore your energy and make some new friends along the way.

Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Location: Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
Cost: FREE
Ages:  4+
Register by November 24

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.  

December is a busy time for our nighttime birds – owls! They look for mates, search for nesting spots, and get ready to lay their eggs – there is so much for parent owls to do! Join Naturalist Kathy Grim as we listen and look for busy parent owls!
Bring a flashlight.

Date: Friday, December 11, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Blue Marsh Lake – State Hill Boat Launch
Cost: FREE
Ages:  5+
Register by December 9

Please check your email several days before the program for updated information and directions to the facility.