Youth and Teen Programs

Meet native wildlife, discover the night sky, and explore nature at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

School age students explore Huntington Reservation, learn from wildlife rehabilitation specialists and tour the universe with resident astronomers in the Center’s youth and teen programs. These programs are perfect for students who want to explore and protect our natural world while meeting friends along the way.

Afterschool Programs

Afterschool Adventures

For grades K – 1

Looking for some afterschool nature fun? Dress for the weather and join us for an hour of active nature and science exploration, hikes, games, animal encounters and activities while we investigate the natural world around us!

5-Week Session:

Select Thursdays,
January 16 and 30

February 6, 13 and 27
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Fee: $115/session

Dirt Diaries

For grades 3 – 5

Join us for outdoor afterschool fun! We will explore in the forest, learn about animals, and study the stars. We will use nature journals each day to draw and write about what we learn and observe! Dress for the weather, as we will be outdoors as much as possible.

Spring 2025:

Thursdays,
March 27 – May 15

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Fee: $175/session

High School Programs

High School Naturalist

For grades 9 – 12

Naturalists enjoy learning everything they can about nature and the world around them. In this program, we will head outdoors to explore Huntington Reservation and get up close with Ohio’s natural mysteries. We will spend time with our resident animals to learn about proper care and animal enrichment. You will meet with our astronomers to become a master of the constellations and their stories. Each week is a new adventure!

You will also have the opportunity to engage with the Nature Center’s visitors and share your excitement for nature and astronomy.

Spring 2025:

Saturdays,
March 15 – May 17
(No class April 19)
12:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Fee: $695/session

Ohio ACE inv bluetxt 1

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is a registered service provider of the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program. The Ohio ACE program provides funds for students and families to use on various enrichment and educational activities, including tutoring, day camps, music lessons, study skills services and field trips. This program is available to any Ohio child ages 6 to 18 years old who meets at least one of the eligibility requirements. Learn more at aceohio.org.

Refund Policy: Notification is required one week prior to the start of a program to be eligible for a refund. A service fee of 5% will be applied to all refunds. Please note there are no refunds for missed classes and make-up classes are not provided.

Upcoming Programs

Current Month

January 2025

thu30jan3:00 pmthu4:00 pmAfterschool AdventuresFor grades K-13:00 pm - 4:00 pm

March 2025

sat15mar12:30 pmsat4:00 pmHigh School NaturalistFor grades 9-1212:30 pm - 4:00 pm

thu27mar3:30 pmthu5:00 pmDirt DiariesFor grades 3-53:30 pm - 5:00 pm

June 2025

tue17jun(jun 17)9:00 amthu19(jun 19)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Art and ScienceFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (19)

tue24jun(jun 24)9:00 amthu26(jun 26)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Science of FlightFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (26)

July 2025

tue08jul(jul 8)9:00 amthu10(jul 10)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Space RobotsFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (10)

tue15jul(jul 15)9:00 amthu17(jul 17)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Nature AdventuresFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (17)

tue22jul(jul 22)9:00 amthu24(jul 24)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Exoplanet ExplorersFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (24)

tue29jul(jul 29)9:00 amthu31(jul 31)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Engineering Design ChallengeFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (31)

August 2025

fri01aug9:00 amfri3:00 pmRocket CampFor students who have completed grades 3 - 69:00 am - 3:00 pm

tue05aug(aug 5)9:00 amthu07(aug 7)2:00 pmSTEM Camp: Reptiles and AmphibiansFor students who have completed grades 1-59:00 am - 2:00 pm (7)

Renovations are underway in the outdoor Wildlife Gardens!Click here to learn more.