Enjoy nature tales and roasted marshmallows over a community campfire in the beautiful outdoors! Bring hot dogs, if you'd like! Start new friendships and make family memories. Patrons will be notified of weather-related cancellations.
Enjoy nature tales and roasted marshmallows over a community campfire! Bring hot dogs, if you like! Start new friendships and make family memories! Come join us in the surroundings of the beautiful outdoors! Patrons will be notified of weather-related cancellations.

Put on your boots to explore, examine, and identify the many life forms of a local creek using dip nets. Dress to get wet. Wear wading boots, water shoes or old sneakers that can get wet and muddy.
Get your feet wet while you explore a creek within Watkins Regional Park! on this naturalist lead hike you will searching for plants and animals that call the creek their home.

Closed toed-shoe that you don't mind getting wet are required.

Parents/chaperones of children attending this program must also be registered.

You don't need to be Dr. Dolittle to speak to the animals! Meet the nature center's live animals including reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey! Interacting with animals can boost your mood and promote mental wellness. Learn more about them and their natural habitats. Our animal friends look forward to greeting you.
Dive into the fascinating world of herpetology. Explore the differences and similarities between amphibians and reptiles and see how they have adapted to survive relatively unchanged for millions of years. Meet cold blooded creatures not only from your local area, but from around the world!

Meet a critter and get crafty! Kids will enjoy an up close visit with a nature center animal and learn what makes them special. Discover how each animal is unique. Use what you have learned to create a craft about that animal. This is a great way to understand conservation and nature. Sign up today and connect with other kids excited about critter crafting.
Meet a critter and get crafty! Kids will enjoy an up close visit with a nature center animal and learn what makes them special. Discover how each animal is unique. Use what you have learned to create a craft about that animal. This is a great way to understand conservation and nature. Sign up today and connect with other kids excited about critter crafting.

Connection to nature is an essential part of being human and sustainability starts when youth connect with the natural world. Youth ages 10-14, are invited to increase their understanding and appreciation of nature and learn how to raise awareness about the consequences of human activity on the natural world through hiking, nature observations, wildlife management, STEAM activities, and exploring the outdoors. They can help build a better tomorrow. It starts right here. Right now.
This program will meet in front of Watkins Nature Center and take place largely outdoors. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Program takes place rain or shine.

Reserve your spot for fun and education all about nature. Get to know your community who has an interest in conservation. A different nature-related topic is covered each session. Learn how amazing nature is through participation in hands-on activities with a naturalist. Sign up today and grow to love the planet we call home.
Join us on a night hike to learn about the largest rodent in North America, the beaver! We will hike to see the amazing work that our resident beavers have done at our beaver pond while also learning about the importance of these furry animals.

Enjoy a Naturalist-led, woodland nature hike.
Do you like to explore parks and trails in the county? Whether you want to hike, bike, or just want to do something with the family, join a self-paced program that gets you on different trails and natural scenic sites.

Join a naturalist on a hike looking for wildlife and local plant life. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
For the active senior! Join a naturalist on a fitness hike while looking for wildlife and local plant life. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Stretches and cool down included. Patrons will be notified of weather-related cancellations.

Looking for a great overnight adventure? Come to Watkins Nature Center for a "Night at the Nature Center!" Your overnight package of nature fun includes overnight lodging in the nature center (bring your sleeping gear); evening campfire with dinner and s'mores; nocturnal nature walks with one of our experienced naturalists; a continental breakfast, and wake-up animal yoga!
Looking for a great overnight adventure? Come to Watkins Nature Center for a "Night at the Nature Center!" Your overnight package of nature fun includes overnight lodging in the nature center (bring your sleeping gear); evening campfire with dinner and s'mores; nocturnal nature walks with one of our experienced naturalists; a continental breakfast and wake-up animal yoga!

Join us for an interactive lesson with a hands-on activity. Your little one will play, laugh, and dance with their puppet pals while they work on social skills, early literacy development, listening, communication, fine motor skills, attention span, and their creativity!
Enjoy a nature story time! Join Danny Deer and Sherman Shark in the month of August as they read you a story about their family, and then join them and a naturalist as they led you through a nature themed craft!

Program Dates:
Aug. 2nd & 16th