Family Nature Programs Encourage Outdoor Discovery
The public is invited to explore and discover the beauty and intrigue of the natural world by participating in the Summer of Wonder Nature Programs at Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center, located in Oglebay Park.
Nature walks, stargazing and evening campfires are just a few of the interactive, family-oriented programs taking place now through August 20 at the Center.
Schrader summer programs promote outdoor discovery by getting people outside to have fun and learn something about nature.
The Schrader Center is a valuable resource for families. Parents, who want to explore the outdoors with their children but need to brush up their skills, can get ideas on how to engage their children in outdoor play.
Replace “Screen Time” with “Green Time”
Parents, like children, often spend many hours a day indoors in front of some type of screen. In today’s busy world it is easy to become disconnected to nature. Naturalists at the Schrader Center strive to help families reconnect to the outdoors, learn together and increase their ‘green’ time. They are eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors.
The Summer of Wonder lineup includes a variety of activities led by nature educators such as guided nature walks, where participants learn to identify birds, trees and wildflowers and opportunities to observe the night sky with local astronomers.
Those interested in learning about birds and snakes native to this region will enjoy Feeding Frenzy and Snake Tales, where guest can observe – and even lend a hand- as Schrader Center staffers feed their feathered and scaled friends and discuss the important role they play in the ecosystem.
The very popular Old Fashioned Family Campfires include storytelling, sing-a-longs and s’mores.
For families interested in exploring the trails on their own, the self-guided Nature Quest program includes specially designed activities to be completed along the trails of Oglebay at your own pace. Hikers set out on missions that lead to hidden treasure chests along the trails.
OI Members Get Free Admission
For most programs there is a nominal fee of $5 to participate, and programs are free to Oglebay Institute members and those who purchase Oglebay Park activity wristbands.
Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center celebrates nature every day and offers hands-on nature fun for the whole family. Facilities include the A.B. Brooks Discovery Trail System, the EarthTrek Exhibit Hall and the Nutting Bird Café. The Center offers year-round classes, workshops, school programs, public events and day and residential camping experiences for all ages.
Visit The Samara Shop, too!
The Samara Shop, located inside the Schrader Center, offers a wonderful selection of products for nature-enthusiasts of all ages. Field guides, children’s books, hand-crafted walking sticks, eco-friendly jewelry and notecards, locally made edibles like honey and maple syrup, organic soaps and lotions, nature-inspired art and sustainably-made items for the home.
Samara’s charming merchandise displays have been crafted from found items and repurposed furniture from some of Wheeling’s historic buildings. Samara is a one-stop shop for everything green-related, and all proceeds support the Center’s educational mission.
Summer of Wonder Nature Programs
Tuesdays
2-3 p.m. – Feeding Frenzy
Lend a hand as Schrader staff members feed our scaled and feathered friends.
Wednesdays
8-9 a.m. Morning Bird Walk
An experienced naturalist will guide you as we learn to identify local birds by song and sight during their most active hours.
Thursdays
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Guided Nature Walks
Continuing the tradition begun in 1926 by West Virginia naturalist A.B. Brooks, morning nature walks take guests through the trails of Oglebay to learn to identify various types of birds, trees and wildflowers. New themes each week.
8-9 p.m. – Old Fashioned Family Campfires
Enjoy an evening of singing, story telling and marshmallow roasting.
9-10 p.m. – Astronomy in the Park
Observe, discuss and learn about the night sky with local astronomy experts at the Spiedel Observatory.
Fridays
2-3 p.m. -Snake Tales
Learn to identify snakes native to our region, how they adapt to their environment and the important role they play in the natural world. Guests can touch and hold the snakes and observe a feeding demonstration.
Saturdays
9:30- 10:30 a.m. – Morning Bird Walk
Start your weekend off with sights and sounds of our finely feathered friends. Binoculars provided.
Nature Quest
Families can visit the Schrader Center 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday for Nature Quest. Pick-up specially designed activities to be completed along the trails of Oglebay at your own pace.
Night Nature Hikes
June 14, July 12 and August 9. Learn how the creatures of the night live as we explore their habitats. Bring a flashlight.
The Summer of Wonder Nature Programs continue through August 20. More information is available by calling the Schrader Center staff at 304-242-6855 or visiting on the web at www.oionline.com.