Calendar of Events
Wildwood Clean Up
Saturday, April 14 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wildwood Park Free
You are invited to help clean up Wildwood Park's lake, streams and trails. Volunteers will spearhead litter pick up and invasive plant pulling throughout the park. New this year, we will also be planting trees provided by the Friends of Wildwood TreeVitalize Grant. As Earth Day and Arbor Day approach, this is a great opportunity to clean up, plant, and give something back. Dress for the weather. Snack, tools, and work gloves will be provided. Pre-registration is required at (717) 221-0292. Rain Date: April 15, 12:30 - 3:30 pm
Flower Walk: Dutchman's Breeches and Trout Lilies
Sunday, April 15 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Wildwood Park Free
Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to look for early spring flowers such as Dutchman's breeches, trout lilies and cut-leaved toothwort. Learn interesting facts about these early spring bloomers. Pre-registration is not required.
Girl Scout Workshop: Brownies "Water Everywhere"
Saturday, April 21 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Wildwood Park $10 per scout
Water is probably our most important resource. Our bodies are made up mostly of water and we can't live without it. Scouts will learn conservation techniques and how to be responsible consumers. They'll make a water snooper and get wet while collecting and examining the creatures living in Wildwood's lake and streams. Bring a packed lunch and drink. Scout registration form is available at www.wildwoodlake.org.
Wetlands Festival
Wednesday, April 28 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wildwood Park Free
Celebrate Wildwood Park's treasured wetlands and the American Wetlands Month of May with a day of free, refreshing and educational activities. Enjoy musical entertainment with singer songwriter Van Wagner, check out the Native Woodland Plant Sale, follow along with "Possum's Tale" storytelling, and get to know the animals of Wildwood with live animal programs by ZooAmerica and Nate McKelvie. Attendees may also adopt a turtle to support turtle research, make a craft and participate in children's activities, enjoy delicious food, and explore creative exhibitor displays and unique vendors. Activities and programs are designed for families, children and adults. Event brochures available in March at the Olewine Nature Center and at www.wildwoodlake.org.
Digital Photography Workshop
Saturday, May 5 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Wildwood Park $125 per person
($135 after 04/20/12)
Join professional photographer Charlie Smith from Canon Professional Services to better understand your digital camera, regardless of its manufacturer. Learn about camera operation and settings as well as techniques for composition that can improve photos. The program includes workshop material, class notes and a lunch. Go to www.wildwoodlake.org for a
complete
program description and registration form. Deadline for registration is April 28.
Photography Walk
Sunday, May 6 8:00 am- 10:00 am
Wildwood Park Free
Photographers are invited to bring a camera and walk with Phil Lloyd and Charlie Smith. The trails of Wildwood Park offer abundant opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography. Participants in the May 5 Photography Workshop can use this opportunity to practice their new technical skills while learning to observe nature.
Garden Faire
Sunday, May 6 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fort Hunter Park Free
Step into spring amidst historic structures where visitors can browse at over thirty vendors of plants and crafts. Mid-1800s dancing, exhibits on Victorian daily life, tasty food at the Cafe and an art show and sale. Garden chats, children's activities, as well as cakewalks to live music will also be showcased. There is a charge for Mansion tour.
Jack Hubley: Critters Beyond Your Backyard
Sunday, May 6 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Wildwood Park $5 per person, $2 per child under 12
Wildwood Park is delighted to present Jack Hubley and his wildlife program, "Critters Beyond Your Backyard". Best known for his local television program "Wild Moments", Jack has been an advocate for the natural world for over 25 years. As part of his "Wild Neighbors Lecture Series", he will use live native animals to talk about their importance to the local ecology. Seating is limited. Tickets may be purchased by sending your check made payable to Dauphin County Parks and Recreation to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Deadline for purchasing tickets is May 1, 2012.
Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, May 12 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wildwood Park Free
The public is invited to join the monthly work day the second Saturday of each month. Work days are an opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood's continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Pre-registration is required for a group of six or more. Call the Olewine Nature Center at 717-221-0292.
Boy Scout Workshop: Webelos "Naturalist"
Sunday, May 13 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Wildwood Park $10 per scout
A naturalist studies plants and animals in the wild. In earning the Naturalist badge, scouts will learn skills and gain knowledge that not only protect the environment and keep them safe, but also enhance their ability to see, hear, and watch wildlife. Activities in this program will help scouts hone wildlife watching skills, identify the poisonous plants and venomous reptiles of PA, explore the mystery of bird migration, learn about some of the mammals that call PA their home and examine some extraordinary talents that animals have developed to survive. A hike in the park will give each participant the chance to use the new "naturalist" skills they learn in the workshop. Bring a packed lunch and drink. Scout registration form is available at www.wildwoodlake.org.
Flower Walk: Jack in the Pulpits and Other Spring Flowers
Sunday, May 13 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Wildwood Park Free
Join volunteer Cara Martinez-Williams to search for Jack in the Pulpits and other flowering plants. In addition to the predominantly white blooms, some colors are beginning to appear by mid-May. Learn interesting facts about Jack in the Pulpit and why it could also be known as "Jill". Pre-registration is not required.
Wandering Wildwood with Phil Lloyd
Saturday, May 19 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Wildwood Park Free
Bring your camera and wander about Wildwood with photographer Phil Lloyd. Engross yourself in Wildwood time, walk the paths and boardwalks, learn to observe nature and not just look around - there is plenty to see. Pre-registration is not required.
Outdoor Learning Day
Tuesday, May 22
Wildwood Park $5 per student
Designed for public and private schools, students in grades 3 - 7 participate in hands-on outdoor and indoor environmental education stations to learn about wetlands and the environment. Expert guest educators from agencies like the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be on site to teach while addressing components of the academic standards for environment and ecology. Sign up for a time slot by calling the Olewine Nature Center to speak with an environmental educator.
Dauphin County Music & Wine Festival
Saturday & Sunday, June 9 & 10
Fort Hunter Park 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Weekend Passes are $20/advance and $25/gate
Relax and listen to the music of national recording artists along with Pennsylvania's elite musicians. Sample some of Pennsylvania's finest wineries. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Visit dauphincounty.org/parks-recreation for more information!
Wildwood Family Triathlon
Saturday, June 16 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wildwood Park $10 per person; $20 per team
This activity is a great way to kick-off Father's Day weekend. Athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to join the fun in the quest for personal achievement. Challenge yourself to do your personal best. Teams of two will participate in three events that include biking 1.5 miles along Wildwood Way, canoeing 0.5 miles on Wildwood Lake or Paxton Creek and running 1.5 miles on the Towpath. Prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded to the top finishers in each age category. Those who register by June 9 will receive a free commemorative t-shirt. All participants will be awarded a ribbon and certificate of achievement. Refreshments will be provided at the post-race gathering. To promote teamwork, participants are encouraged to make and wear creative team shirts. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Registration forms will be available in March at the Olewine Nature Center, online at www.wildwoodlake.org, or by calling 717-221-0292, ext. 3. Entry fee includes the use of canoes, paddles, and life jackets.
Educator Workshop: Wonders of Wetlands
Thursday, June 21 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wildwood Park $10 per person
Wonders of Wetlands is a hands-on, inquiry based cross-curriculum on wetlands and water that was developed by Environmental Concern, Inc. of Maryland in 1991. Now in its eighth edition, the K-12 curriculum book was the first wetland teacher training to be offered to educators. Materials and curriculum book are being provided through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection. This workshop is Act 48 hours approved. Deadline for registration is June 8, 2012.
