A story will be read about how lightening forms during a thunderstorm and why we sometimes see rainbows afterward. Food dye and spray bottles will be used to paint lightening on paper using a rainbow of colors. After painting, pictures will be hung up to dry. While the paint dries, hike the trails and see […]
There are many different animals that are born from eggs. In this program, we are going to talk about eggs and the variety of animals that hatch from them. There will be displays of animals that hatch from eggs, such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, and there will be eggs hidden outside near the […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Come out for an archery class led by a certified archery instructor. All necessary equipment and targets will be provided. You will have an opportunity to learn the basics of archery along with safety measures, while shooting arrows at several targets with a compound bow. How close to your target can you get? Sign–up and […]
Basic testing of nature items includes stations Do I Sink or Float, Nature Memory, and Can it Camouflage? Children should wear clothes that can get sandy and possibly wet. Adult companions must remain with children during this program. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 AM Ages 3-6, with an adult; other ages siblings are […]
The Passenger Pigeon was once the most numerous bird species in the world with population estimates as high as seven billion birds living in Eastern North America. However, due to over hunting by early Americans, the bird became extinct 110 years ago when the last Passenger Pigeon died at the Cincinnati Zoo on September 1, […]
It is story time in the Nature Play Area. The story we will be reading is “Bee and Me”, which is all about a little bee who gets trapped inside a little boy’s room. Find out how the boy helps the bee and learns all about a bee’s life. There will be a fun game […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Come and explore the rocking world of geology. We will learn all about different types of rocks and minerals by viewing geologic collections of interesting rocks, crystals, geodes, agates, and fossils. Then we will take a hike to see what kinds of rocks we can find in the park. Participants will receive a rock and […]
Get out in the parks and go fishing as a family. Learn about the basics of fishing as we try to catch some fish that live in Giertz Lake. All skill levels are welcome. A fishing pole will be provided or bring your own. We will have corn available for bait or bring your own […]
They jump, hop, fly and buzz along – insects come in all shapes and sizes. Children will learn more about these creepy, crawling insects at stations including Am I A Bug? Make Your Own Insect, Amazing Insect Eyes, and How Do I Eat? Adult companions must remain with children for this program. Oakwoods Nature Preserve […]
Have you taken one of the Hancock Park District’s introductory archery courses? If so, and if you want more archery practice, then here is your chance. A certified archery instructor will supervise the archery practice session. All necessary equipment and targets will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 10 AM Ages 9 and up. […]
Creating friendship bracelets can be an enjoyable and entertaining craft experience. In this program we will learn how to braid twine into friendship bracelets and be able to create our own. The method we will use to create bracelets will involve braiding which will be shown how to be completed step by step. Materials will […]
It is National Grandparents Day and a good time to take the grandkids out to the park and give them a tour of our 1847 McKinnis House. You can share your memories of having a summer kitchen, outhouse, or washhouse. The three step cast iron stove will have some cookies baking in it to give […]
All butterflies are amazing, but the Monarch butterfly makes an extraordinary trip each year. We will learn all about the Monarch lifecycle, what they eat, and the amazing migration journey these butterflies make every year. The story we will be presenting for this Discovery Story is called “Hurry and the Monarch”. For our craft we […]
Ohio’s landscape, and the animals that live in it, have changed greatly throughout history. From the Ice Age to now, the variety of animals in our state has become vastly different. Environments have transformed causing some animals to leave Ohio while others have moved in. Join us as we learn about the historical animals of […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Come along as we search for insects that are active at night. First, we will talk about what it means to be nocturnal and why some insects are only active at night. We will then hike out to the meadow to listen to the calls of katydids and crickets. Next, we will move into the […]
Even though fall is technically a week away, fall migration is in full swing as birds start their journey south. Come along as we search for migrating birds like warblers, sparrows, thrushes, hawks, and shorebirds as well as summer resident birds preparing to start their journey. Binoculars will be provided or bring your own. Oakwoods […]
It is National Trade a Rock Day, and you are invited to bring a rock to the park and trade during the program. Your rock must come with a date of when it was collected, and the place you collected it from. Every rock tells a story and that is the fun part of Trade […]
“to be announced” - by Doug Rider Shelter House #5 8 PM
Hats are fun to wear. They come in all shapes and colors and can show off our personalities and creativity. Although not so long ago, it used to be common to wear hats made of dead animals, like furs and feathers. Learn about the animals that people use to kill for hats, why people wore […]
John Chapman, or Johnny Appleseed, was a real person who journeyed across the land starting apple orchards, including one in Hancock County. Listen to a story about Johnny Appleseed and a story about the fruit he brought with him, the apple. Get a close look at real apples and their different colors. Then have fun […]
Corn has been a historically integral crop across most of the country, Hancock County included. From Native American cultivation to present day farming, corn is used in many different foods, animal feed, and even sometimes fuel. In this program we will learn about the Native American cultivation of corn, the Pioneer method of farming corn, […]
As the season of autumn approaches, leaves start to change color, nights fill with cooler air, and animals get ready for the cold and snow. What does that mean for nocturnal park residents, like raccoons, owls, and bats? Find out as we walk the moon-lit trails. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Gatehouse 7:30 PM All ages are […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Pokeberry is a tall plant with purple berries. It was used to create ink in the 1800s. The process of making your own ink begins by learning about the pokeberry, identifying it, and collecting berries while hiking on the trails. Afterward, we will bring our harvest back to the McKinnis House lawn and create our […]
Small native tree, shrubs & perennials will be available for purchase while supplies last. Bring boxes or trays to carry home. View native plants that are in bloom around the Discovery Center Gardens and visit educational exhibits. Learn about local native plants. In cooperation with Star Farms Native Plants Nursery, Kenton, Ohio. Sponsored by Hancock […]
Join us as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Richard “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center. We will be presenting information about the history of the Discovery Center as well as Autumn themed educational topics. There will also be a celebratory themed craft making party hats for our celebration and making Indian corn out of natural […]
If you have a black walnut tree in your yard, then you know they create a lot of walnuts. Learn how to create your own walnut dye and ink and turn your walnuts into something useful. First, we will talk about the tree and how wildlife and people use it. Then there will be a […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Come out for an archery class led by a certified archery instructor. All necessary equipment and targets will be provided. You will have the opportunity to learn the basics of archery along with safety measures, while shooting arrows at several targets with a compound bow. How close to your target can you get? Sign–up and […]
Decomposers are an important part of most ecosystems. The role of decomposers is to break down dead organisms and return the nutrients back to the soil. Without these important organisms, every tree that died would be stuck on the ground forever! These animals, and fungi, are very important and interesting to observe. We might see […]
As we enter fall, trees start to change colors. Come along on a hike to look for different trees that can be found in the park. We will talk about the types of forests in Ohio, why leaves change colors and fall off the trees, how to identify different species of trees, and how trees […]
