🌞 Summer of Wonder 2026: A Season of Discovery at the Schrader Center
June 1 – August 7
Summer at the Schrader Environmental Education Center is all about curiosity, creativity, and connection with the natural world. Whether you’re exploring the forest, meeting live animals, or crafting something beautiful from upcycled materials, Summer of Wonder 2026 offers hands‑on experiences for all ages — no pre‑registration required. Unless otherwise noted, programs are $5 per person and free for OI members or Oglebay Park guests with activity cards. Space is limited and offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
🦋 Daily Programs
Winged Wonders Walk‑Through
Monday–Friday • 8:30–10:30 am
OPENING SOON! Step into a living kaleidoscope inside West Virginia’s only butterfly house. Wander among free‑flying butterflies as they sip nectar, land nearby, and reveal their incredible transformation from caterpillar to winged wonder. Learn how to create your own pollinator‑friendly habitat at home. 🦋
📅 Weekly Programs
Sand Art
Mondays • 11 am
Create your own colorful sand‑art masterpiece using locally upcycled glass sand. Supplies are limited — arrive early!
Upcycled!
Tuesdays • 1 pm
Turn “trash” into treasure with a new hands‑on craft each week. Learn how everyday items can be transformed into something beautiful and useful.
June: 2 – T‑Shirt Bags 👕; 9 – Lanterns 🏮; 16 – Popsicle Stick Kazoos 🍧; 23 – Mug Bird Feeders ☕🐦
July: 7 – Eating Utensil Creatures 🍴; 14 – Plastic Bag Crafts 🛍️; 21 – Crayon Painting 🖍️; 28 – Jar‑Lid Sunflowers 🌻
August: 4 – Marble Snails & Acorns 🐌🌰
Waterfall Wednesday
Wednesdays • 2 pm • ~45 minutes
Explore the living waters of Waddles Run with direct access to our beautiful waterfall area. Catch and release salamanders, crayfish, insects, and fish. Wear boots and clothes that can get wet.
Ambassador Animals Meet & Greet
Thursdays • 3:30 pm • ~45 minutes
Meet the Schrader Center’s animal ambassadors and discover the adaptations that help them survive and thrive.
Nighttime Astronomy
Thursdays • 9 pm • up to 120 minutes
Observe the night sky with local experts from the Oglebay Astronomy Club at the Speidel Observatory. All equipment provided.
Scale‑Craft
Fridays • 1 pm
Create a keepsake using naturally shed snake skin and preserved butterfly wing scales. $8 per person
✨ Special Programs
Tea & Tweets
June 17 & July 22 • 8 am • ~60 minutes
Start your morning with a peaceful guided bird walk. Learn to identify local birds by sight and song while enjoying herbal tea. Binoculars and field guides provided; juice boxes available for young birders.
Forest School Mini‑Sessions
June 4, July 9 & August 6 • 1 pm • ~120 minutes
A nature‑based mini‑camp experience for ages 5–11. Children explore the park’s flora and fauna through hands‑on learning, crafts, and games. $10 per child • Minimum of 3 participants required
Beehive Tours
June 22 & July 27 • 3:30 pm
Suit up and explore the world of beekeeping with a Schrader Center Naturalist. Choose your comfort level — up close or from a distance. Those with bee or smoke allergies are strongly discouraged.
Night Hikes
June 12, July 17 & August 14 • 9 pm • ~60 minutes
Experience the park after dark on a guided hike in search of nocturnal wildlife.
👨👩👧👦 Private Family & Group Programming
All Summer of Wonder programs are available as private sessions for your family, scout troop, or group. $10 per person • $50 minimum
Roots ‘N Shoots
The Roots ‘N Shoots series provides adults and their children the opportunity to connect with nature in all seasons. Create meaningful connections and memories through hands-on nature activities, crafts, stories, songs, and outside exploration. Pre-registration encouraged – walk-ins are limited.
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Ages: Grades Pre-K and K (with an adult)
Meets: Saturday, March 21st and/or April 25th, 9am-10am
Begins: 9am, Sat., March 21st
Duration: 1 hour
Instructor(s): Schrader Center Naturalist
Admission (per class): $12/$10 OI members
Nurturing Naturalists
Designed for our youngest independent naturalists, who are ready to attend without an adult. Create meaningful connections and memories through hands-on nature activities, crafts, stories, songs, and outside exploration! Pre-registration encouraged – walk-ins are limited.
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Ages: Grades 1-3 (without an adult)
Meets: Saturday March 21st and/or April 25th; 11am-12:30pm
Begins: 11am Sat., March 21st
Duration: 90 minutes
Instructor(s): Schrader Center Naturalists
Admission (per class): $16/ $14 OI member
Adventure Club
This program is designed for the curious 4th-7th graders who aren’t afraid to get their boots muddy, love exploring, and enjoy learning. Each time we meet, we will tackle a new nature topic and put our skills to the test with hands-on activities.
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Ages: Grades 4-7 (without an adult)
Meets: Saturday March 21st and/or April 25th; 1:30pm-3:00pm
Begins: 1:30pm Sat., March 21st
Duration: 90 minutes
Instructor(s): Schrader Center Naturalists
Admission (per class): $16/ $14 OI member
Kid’s Science Spotlight
We’re celebrating all things science with this exciting hands-on science program for kids! Each club session will include a snack and a spotlight on a scientist who made major contributions to the science field!
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Ages: Grades 2-5
Meets: Saturday, April 11th; 10:00am-12:00pm
Begins: 10:00am Sat., April 11th
Duration: 2 hours
Instructor(s): Schrader Center Naturalists
Admission: $14/$12 OI member
Nailers Night
Score a chance to meet some local hockey favorites and learn about the animals that call the Schrader Center home. There will be games and activities that the whole family will enjoy. Evening is free to everyone but please register online as space is limited.
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Ages: Families
Meets: Wednesday, February 25, 6:00-7:30pm
Begins: February 25, 6:00pm
Duration: 2 hours
Admission: Free
Mountain Moon Bluegrass: Cabin Fever String Band 40th Anniversary Celebration
Live bluegrass music at the Stifel Fine Arts Center! Doors open at 6:30pm, music begins at 7pm. Admission includes coffee, tea, and light snacks. Beer, wine, & soft drinks available for purchase. January 10: Randall Curry & Guests, February 7; Old Hometown, March 7; Cabin Fever String Band.
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Ages: All
Meets: 6:30-9pm, Saturday, March 7, 6:30-9pm
Begins: 6:30pm (music starts at 7pm)
Duration: 2 ½ hours
Admission: General Seating $20/OI Member $15, seats first come, first serve. No reservations
Maple Sugaring 2.0 – Tapping Traditions
Want to start making syrup at your own home? Join us in this new program to help you get started. Experience the history of maple syrup production at historical stations along the trails & around the Schrader Center. See a variety of sugaring techniques, from the old ways through modern methods. Learn all about tapping, boiling down the sap, and conclude with a taste test of the Schrader Center’s own sweet syrup. Visit our gift shop to take home your own tree tapping kit! (fees apply) Must pre-register (Limit 20 per tour). Please dress for the weather and the trails.
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Ages: All
Meets: Sat. March 14 & Sun. March 15
Begins: 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, & 2pm
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours per tour
Instructor(s): Naturalists
Admission: $10 per person
Easter Bunny Bash
Join us at the Schrader Center for an evening of Easter fun. You can experience Easter-themed crafts, activities, and even visit with the Easter Bunny! Take home your own treat bag and smiles to last the whole spring through! Pre-registration required. Adults must accompany their children.
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Ages: All (recommended ages 2-8)
Meets: Thursday April 2nd; 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm & Friday, April 3rd; 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
Begins: 4pm, Thursday April 2nd
Duration: On own, 1 hour
Instructor(s): Schrader Center Staff
Admission: $10/child; free/adult
Daylight & Nighttime Astronomy
It’s National Astronomy Day! Explore the solar and lunar skies at a special astronomy event at Speidel Observatory in Oglebay Park. Solar observing, space science activities, and observatory tours from 1-4pm. Telescope observing, constellation talk, and observatory tours from 8-11pm.
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Ages: All (recommended ages 2-8)
Meets: Saturday, April 25th; 1pm-4pm & 8pm-11pm
Begins: 1pm, Saturday, April 25th
Duration: 2 sessions, 3 hours each
Instructor(s): Oglebay Astronomy Club
Admission: Free
A.B. Brooks Nature Hike
Nature Hikes are part of a long tradition of nature study in Oglebay Park. The A.B. Brooks Nature Hike will focus on natural history and serves as a venue for socialization and the sharing of ideas.The Schrader Center staff will lead groups of up to 20 participants through 1 mile of trails around Oglebay. It is recommended to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothing that is weather-appropriate. Sunglasses are a plus. Field guides and binoculars will be provided.
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Ages: Adults
Meets: by appointment
Begins: by appointment
Duration: 1 hour
Instructor(s): Schrader Center Staff
$25 per person ($125 minimum)
