Workshops 2023 More programs may be added. Check our calendar of events.
Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center 2023 Programs and Events Looking for a way to get out and explore the outdoors this year? Join us for a workshop or outdoor program or come visit the Wildlife Education Center. There is something for all ages and interests. Visit our web site at www.beavercreekwildlife.org for more information or follow us on our Facebook page.
Programs are offered free of charge. Donations are always appreciated!! ** Registration Required (C) Child/Family-Friendly Activity April **Saturday, April 15 from 9:00 – 11:00 – Spring Wildflower Hike. Registration is required by emailing your contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. Join BCWEC volunteers Cheryl Mattevi and Eileen Dray-Bardon as we welcome early spring wildflowers and wildlife. There is always something new and exciting in bloom in the Beaver Creek forests and hills. The trail ranges from gentle to moderately steep and may be muddy. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a walking stick if you like. The hike will be cancelled if there is a downpour. Please meet in the parking lot, 12021 Echo Dell Rd., Beaver Creek State Park.
**Saturday, April 29 from 6:00 – 8:00 – Wine and Wildlife.Invitation/registration is required. Join us at our annual fund-raising benefit event. You will tour the building and displays, grounds and gardens, and the new outdoor pavilion as you enjoy a variety of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and Ohio wines. For more information and to request your invitation please call Karen Henry at 330-932-0908 or contact her by email at kr.swanson59@yahoo.com.
May ** Saturday, May 6 from 11:00 – 12:30 – Grow a Butterfly Garden! Space is limited. Registration is required by emailing your contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. Join BCWEC volunteers Cheryl and Eileen under the pavilion at the Wildlife Education Center. You will learn how to plant a garden that attracts butterflies and other pollinators, which plants host the different stages of these beneficial and beautiful creatures, where to purchase plants locally, how to collect seeds, and how to plant them. Participants will receive some sample plants and seeds. This activity is suitable for adults and children over the age of 12.
Saturday, May 6 from 1:00 – 5:00 – Opening Day for the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center! The Center will be open for visitors each weekend through the first weekend of October. Come out for a visit!
(C) Saturday,May 6 from 1:00 – 4:00 - Milkweed Mud Pies. Children (and adults) of all ages will enjoy this crafty gardening activity. Join Wildlife Center volunteers Cheryl and Eileen under the pavilion at the Wildlife Education Center as each participant will choose milkweed and other wildflower seeds and make a seedball to take home to plant. Participants can also help us enlarge the wildflower meadow at the Wildlife Center by pitching in a few seeds. Be prepared to get muddy!
** (C) Saturday, May 13 - from 2 – 3 “Oh Deer!” - Enjoy an active game similar to Red Rover in the yard behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center while learning about three essential components of deer habitat. We will explore the stimulating and limiting factors that affect wildlife populations. Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and family members can join in as well. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. This activity requires a minimum of 15 – 20 people to be most effective. An alternative activity will be held if the minimum registration is not met. Come join our volunteers for some family fun!! Great activity for home school groups!
** (C) Saturday, May 20 from 1:00 – 4:30 - Nature Activity – Planting Flowers.Kids and their adults can join Carolyn and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion and plant some flowers to take home. Bring gloves if you don’t want to get your hands dirty! Please register by sending your contact information and names to beavercreekw@aol.com.
Sunday, May 21 from 12:00 – 1:00 – Fantastic Foxes! Join Beaver Creek Naturalist Evan Crawford under the pavilion for a presentation on the native fox population in Northeast Ohio. After the presentation take a tour through the Wildlife Center to see the foxes in the displays.
(C) Sunday, May 21 from 1 – 4 – SCAVENGER HUNT on Logan’s Loop Trail!! Kids and their adults can take a fun short hike on Logan's Loop trail, located behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, and try to find all the animals on the scavenger hunt list. When the hunt is completed, families will receive a booklet about the animals they found on the trail. Adults can pick up the scavenger hunt paper, a pencil, and a clip board under the pavilion. The hike is .6 miles long and has a couple steeper areas. Participants should wear sturdy shoes. Come on out to the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center for some family fun and see how many of the hidden animals you can find!! Event will be canceled if bad weather.
(C) Sunday, May 28 at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 – Story Time in the Library. Join volunteer Mary Spooner for a special book reading Lost in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. After the reading Mary will help you find the animals in the displays at the Wildlife Education Center.
June ** (C) Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 3:00 – Build a BirdhouseEach session is limited to 15 participants and registration is required. Send contact information tobeavercreekw@aol.com. Kids ages 7 and older and their adults can join Beaver Creek Wildlife Center volunteers under the pavilion and build their own bird house. All supplies will be provided.
(C) Sunday, June 4 from 12:00 – 1:30 - Stream Stomp!! Meet Matthew Smith and Ryan Moss from ODNR Div. of Natural Areas and Preserves in the parking lot of Beaver Creek State Park for a fun time finding critters that live in Beaver Creek, a Wild & Scenic River. They will identify what is found and talk about water quality and how it affects these organisms. You must wear boots or closed-toe shoes to get in the creek for this activity. Come prepared to have fun and maybe get wet!! After the program you can have a picnic in the park and then visit the Wildlife Education Center in the afternoon. This event will be cancelled in the case of unsafe high water or rainstorms.
** (C) Saturday, June 10 – from 2 – 3 “Quick Frozen Critters” - Enjoy an activity in the yard behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center as you discover the importance of adaptations to both predators and prey. You will learn about limiting factors that affect wildlife populations. For this activity you will become rabbits and coyotes in a modified game of freeze tag. Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and family members can join in as well. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. This activity requires a minimum of 15 – 20 people to be most effective. An alternative activity will be held if the minimum registration is not met. Come join our volunteers for some family fun!! Great activity for home school groups!
** Saturday, June 17 from 1:00 – 4:30 – Wood Cookie Pictures. Kids and their adults can join Carolyn and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion and make a picture using wood cookies. This activity is limited to 30 participants, so please register by sending your contact information and names to beavercreekw@aol.com. All supplies will be provided.
Sunday, June 18 from 12:00 – 1:00 – White tailed deer Join Beaver Creek Naturalist Evan Crawford under the pavilion for a presentation on white tailed deer and learn about their history and evolution. After the presentation take a tour through the Wildlife Center to see the deer in the displays.
(C) Sunday, June 18 from 1 – 4 – SCAVENGER HUNT on Logan’s Loop Trail!! Kids and their adults can take a fun short hike on Logan's Loop trail, located behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, and try to find all the animals on the scavenger hunt list. When the hunt is completed, families will receive a booklet about the animals they found on the trail. Adults can pick up the scavenger hunt paper, a pencil, and a clip board under the pavilion. The hike is .6 miles long and has a couple steeper areas. Participants should wear sturdy shoes. Come on out to the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center for some family fun and see how many of the hidden animals you can find!! Will be canceled in case of bad weather.
Saturday, June 24 from 10:00 – 5:00 – Wildlife and Nature Photography Art Show. Visitors can walk through the display and look at all the nature photographs taken by people from the area. Some will be available to purchase and picked up on Saturday afternoon. Visitors can vote on their favorite photographs and determine the 10 best of show with winners announced at the end of the day.
Saturday, June 24 from2:00 – 3:00 Raptor Hallow. Josh and his volunteers will do a program with his birds of prey. He will talk about the birds and visitors can take pictures. He may also have a special bird with him!!! Come out for an enjoyable program in the yard at the Wildlife Education Center!!
Sunday, June 25 from 1:00 – 5:00 – Information on Honeybees. Local beekeeper George Stacy will be at the Wildlife Education Center all afternoon in the live animal room to talk about honeybees and pollination. He will answer questions from our visitors regarding the live honeybee display and about honeybees in general. These amazing insects are vital to our food production!
(C) Sunday, June 25 at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 – Story Time in the Library. Join volunteer Mary Spooner for a special book reading Grandfather Buffalo by Jim Arnonsty. After the reading Mary will help you find the buffalo in the display at the Wildlife Education Center.
July
** (C) Saturday, July 8 – from 2 – 3 “Carrying Capacity” - Enjoy an activity in the yard behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center as you explore the factors that determine the number of living things that can survive in a given area. You must beat the clock in this relay race to survive! Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and family members can join in as well. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. This activity requires a minimum of 15 – 20 people to be most effective. An alternative activity will be held if the minimum registration is not met. Come join our volunteers for some family fun!! Great activity for home school groups!
** (C) Saturday, July 15 from 1:00 – 4:30 – Nature Craft – Seashells. Kids and their adults can join Carolyn and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion to create a beautiful seashell craft. Younger kids will make a seashell wind chime. Older kids will use hot glue and make a seashell photo frame. All supplies will be provided. Please register by sending your contact information and names to beavercreekw@aol.com.
Sunday, July 16 from 12:00 – 1:00 – Great Blue Heron. Join Beaver Creek Naturalist Evan Crawford under the pavilion for a presentation on great blue herons, Ohio’s largest heron. After the presentation take a tour through the Wildlife Center to see the herons in the displays.
(C) Sunday, July 16 from 1 – 4 – SCAVENGER HUNT on Logan’s Loop Trail!! Kids and their adults can take a fun short hike on Logan's Loop trail, located behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, and try to find all the animals on the scavenger hunt list. When the hunt is completed, families will receive a booklet about the animals they found on the trail. Adults can pick up the scavenger hunt paper, a pencil, and a clip board under the pavilion. The hike is .6 miles long and has a couple steeper areas. Participants should wear sturdy shoes. Come on out to the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center for some family fun and see how many of the hidden animals you can find!! Will be canceled in case of bad weather.
Saturday, July 22 from 1:00 – 5:00 – Flint Knapping and Arrow Making. Spend some time under the pavilion this afternoon and watch Chip Hudson as he demonstrates how to make arrowheads from different materials and how to make arrows using the arrowheads. You can examine samples of his work, including knives, bows, and arrows, and ask questions. You can even try your hand making an arrowhead!
(C) Sunday, July 23 at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 – Story Time in the Library. Join volunteer Mary Spooner for a special book reading Gracie the Public Gardens Duck by Judith Meyrick. After the reading Mary will help you find the ducks in the displays at the Wildlife Education Center.
August Saturday, August 12 from 1:00 – 5:00 – Wood Carving Demonstration. Spend some time under the pavilion at the Wildlife Education Center this afternoon and watch Chip Hudson as he demonstrates how to carve wooden items from various types of wood. You can examine samples of his work and ask questions.
** (C) Saturday, August 12 – from 2 – 3 “Musk ox Maneuvers” - Enjoy an activity in the yard behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center as you learn about the adaptations and limiting factors in the predator/prey relationship between musk ox and wolves. Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and family members can join in as well. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. This activity requires a minimum of 15 – 20 people to be most effective. An alternative activity will be held if the minimum registration is not met. Come join our volunteers for some family fun!! Great activity for home school groups!
(C) Sunday, August 13 from 12:00 – 1:30 - Stream Stomp!! Meet Matthew Smith and Ryan Moss from ODNR Div. of Natural Areas and Preserves in the parking lot of Beaver Creek State Park for a fun time finding critters that live in Beaver Creek, a Wild & Scenic River. They will identify what is found and talk about water quality and how it affects these organisms. You must wear boots or closed-toe shoes to get in the creek for this activity. Come prepared to have fun and maybe get wet!! After the program you can have a picnic in the park and then visit the Wildlife Education Center in the afternoon. This event will be cancelled in the case of unsafe high water or rainstorms.
(C) Saturday, August 19 from 1 to 4:30 – Nature Craft – Building Insects. Kids and their adults can join Carolyn and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion and create a unique insect. All supplies will be provided.
Sunday, August 20 from 12:00 – 1:00 – Little Winged Ones. Join Beaver Creek Naturalist Evan Crawford under the pavilion for a presentation on the diverse Dragonfly and Damselfly population in Beaver Creek State Park. After the presentation take a tour through the Wildlife Center to see the insect displays.
(C) Sunday, August 20 from 1 – 4 – SCAVENGER HUNT on Logan’s Loop Trail!! Kids and their adults can take a fun short hike on Logan's Loop trail, located behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, and try to find all the animals on the scavenger hunt list. When the hunt is completed, families will receive a booklet about the animals they found on the trail. Adults can pick up the scavenger hunt paper, a pencil, and a clip board under the pavilion. The hike is .6 miles long and has a couple steeper areas. Participants should wear sturdy shoes. Come on out to the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center for some family fun and see how many of the hidden animals you can find!! Will be canceled in case of bad weather.
(C) Saturday, August 26 from 1:00 – 4:30 – Nature Craft – Seashell Craft. Younger kids and their adults can join Robin and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion and create a seashell picture. All supplies will be provided. Bring your creativity and have some fun!
(C) Sunday, August 27 at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 – Story Time in the Library. Join volunteer Mary Spooner for a special book reading Living Sunlight by Molly Bangs and Penny Chisholm. After the reading Mary will help you find the animals in the displays at the Wildlife Education Center.
September ** (C) Saturday, September 9 from 2 – 3 “How Many Bears Can Live in this Forest?” - Enjoy an activity in the yard behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center as you explore the importance of a suitable habitat and space for black bears in this activity. Participants will compete for essential food and then determine how many bears CAN live in our simulated bear territory. Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and family members can join in as well. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. This activity requires a minimum of 15 – 20 people to be most effective. An alternative activity will be held if the minimum registration is not met. Come join our volunteers for some family fun!! Great activity for home school groups!
(C) Saturday, September 16 from 1:00 – 4:30 – Leaf Painting. Kids and their adults can join Carolyn and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion and make a leaf painting. Bring your creativity! All supplies will be provided. Please bring some of your own leaves.
Sunday, September 17 from 11 – 5 – Fall Festival - Extended HoursJoin the volunteers at the Wildlife Education Center as they welcome fall. The day will begin with a program on Crows and Ravens by park naturalist Evan Crawford. There will be activities for the kids including a fossil hunt with OOGEEP volunteers, food, and a special program by the Ohio School of Falconry at 2:00. Nine names will be drawn from the people attending the Falconry event and the bird will fly to their arm (Must be at least 10 years old).
Sunday, September 17 from 12:00 – 1:00 – Crows and Ravens. Join Beaver Creek Naturalist Evan Crawford for a presentation on these two prolific corvids, their unique social structures, and their important place in the ecosystem. After the presentation take a tour through the Wildlife Center to see the crows in the displays.
Sunday, September 17 from 2 – 3 – Ohio School of Falconry. During the Fall Festival, the School of Falconry will be set up in front yard of the Wildlife Education Center. Joe Dorian will demonstrate how the birds fly and capture their food and talk about each bird. At the end of the program, nine names will be drawn from those attending the program (must be at least 9 years old to do this.) Those people will be able to have one of the birds fly to their arm!
(C) Sunday, September 24 at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 – Story Time in the Library. Join volunteer Mary Spooner for a special book reading Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky. After the reading Mary will help you find the bears in the displays at the Wildlife Education Center
Saturday, September 30 from 1 - 4 - Geology Road Show. Join Wildlife Center volunteer and geologist Cheryl under the pavilion this afternoon at the Wildlife Education Center and learn about rocks and minerals and fossils. Learn where to find them and how to manage a collection. Participants are welcome to bring their own specimens for identification.
October Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8, from 10– 5 – Wildlife Education Center will be open extended hours for visitors. This is the final weekend the center will be open for the 2021 season.
** (C) Saturday, October 7 from 1:00 – 4:30 – Christmas Ornaments. Kids and their adults can join Carolyn and other BCWEC volunteers under the pavilion and make a Christmas tree ornament with things from nature. Bring your creativity! All supplies will be provided. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com
** (C) Saturday, October 7 – from 2 – 3 “Animal Charades” - Enjoy an activity in the yard behind the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. In this familiar game we will discuss wild and domesticated animals. One at a time each participant will choose an animal to portray. The remaining participants will try to guess the animal. Beat the clock and name the animal! Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and family members can join in as well. Registration is required by sending contact information to beavercreekw@aol.com. This activity requires a minimum of 15 – 20 people to be most effective. An alternative activity will be held if the minimum registration is not met. Come join our volunteers for some family fun!! Great activity for home school groups!
(C) Sunday, October 8 at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 – Story Time in the Library. Join volunteer Mary Spooner for a special book reading First Snow in the Woods by Carl Sams II and Jean Stoick. After the reading Mary will help you find the animals in the displays at the Wildlife Education Center
Sunday, October 8 at 4:00 – Drawing for the raffle item.
