Winter Season Family Hike #4

Due to popular demand, we have added more sessions of our Winter Family Hike. For this March 21 hike, children must be age 5 or older. (This hike was originally […]

EXPLORE! For the Birds

Red Run Park 12143 Buchanan Trail E, Rouzerville, PA, United States

Activities include a sensory nature walk, bird identification and learning bird calls, and playing games. The group will also listen to a nature storybook. Email us at [email protected] to register for this program. Instructor: Christian Swartzbaugh Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Limit: 10. Location: Red Run Park Participants will sign in & complete a waiver/contact form […]

March Geology Series: Geology of Eastern Pennsylvania

Brittany Martin and Jeri Jones Free. Presented via Zoom. Hosted by geologist Jeri Jones, with geoscientist Brittany Martin. This PowerPoint program explores interesting sites that show a particular story of the region’s geology. These sites will be divided into categories such as rock types, fossils, minerals, tectonic forces, and Ice Age. We will conclude with […]

Recurring

SPRING, SUMMER, FALL & WINTER “SOAR” Bird Walks

SOAR (“Studying Ornithology Around the Region”) bird walks IMPORTANT: Locations rotate year-round among several parks in the region, with Waynesboro’s Antietam Meadow Park as “home base.” Visit THIS PAGE to see the current schedule of locations. (If in doubt about the weather—check Buttonwood’s Facebook page) First and third Saturdays ONLY Start time: 8:00 a.m.  First […]

It’s Not Easy Being Green! The Relationship Between Chytrid Fungi and Amphibians: Causes, Consequences and Conservation Strategies

Dr. Molly Bletz prepares for field work in researching amphibians. This program is presented in partnership with Antietam Watershed Association (AWA). Join us via Zoom for this special Earth Day presentation! With a focus on amphibians, Dr. Molly Bletz has studied wildlife and disease around the globe, from the U.S. to Panama to Germany to […]

EXPLORE! Signs of Spring

Pine Hill Recreation Area 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, PA, United States

Signs of Spring Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. The group will go on a hike—a spring scavenger hunt looking […]

Spring EXPLORE! Leaf Animals

Pine Hill Recreation Area 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, PA, United States

Leaf Animals Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Students will collect leaves and glue them on paper to create “leaf […]

Spring EXPLORE! Going on a Bug Hunt

Pine Hill Recreation Area 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, PA, United States

Going on a Bug Hunt Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. The instructor will take the group on a guided […]

Spring EXPLORE! Nature Journaling

Pine Hill Recreation Area 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, PA, United States

Nature Journaling Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Students will learn how to make their own “cut and fold” nature […]

Recurring

June WonderWalks for Preschool

Pine Hill Recreation Area 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, PA, United States

WonderWalks—Introducing your child to the wonders of nature! Our youngest naturalists will enjoy fun and educational activities in the park, including exploring the outdoors, hikes, nature stories, rhymes, finger plays, […]

FREE Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Red Run Park 12143 Buchanan Trail E, Rouzerville, PA, United States

Presented by The Institute. Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 19 at Red Run Park Admission is FREE!  Enjoy a full theatrical production of William Shakespeare’s […]

Summer EXPLORE! 2021

Pine Hill Recreation Area 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, PA, United States

Camping Fun and Nature Games The Institute is offering a series of six new outdoor adventure programs in June & July. Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the […]