Join us for an exciting adventure into the winter wilderness! In Winter Wildlife Detectives, young naturalists will explore how animals survive and thrive during the coldest months of the year. Children will learn to identify animal tracks in the snow (or use creative stamp replicas indoors), build cozy shelters using natural materials, and discover the fascinating ways animals adapt—whether they hibernate, migrate, or tough it out with special winter survival strategies. When looking for signs of wildlife remember that tracking doesn’t mean just footprints!

In this program, we’ll explore how Arctic animals survive in the cold by discovering how they stay warm and how they move. Through fun activities and animal mimicry, we’ll uncover the secrets of blubber, thick fur, and smart movement strategies that help these creatures thrive in freezing environments. And if there’s snow on the ground, get ready, we’ll conduct a special hands-on experiment to see how it really feels to be built for the cold!

Discover the incredible animals that call Ohio home and learn why some of them are at risk. Participants will dive into the world of native wildlife facing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Through interactive activities and engaging discussions, we’ll explore what it means to be endangered, how species become threatened, and what we can do to protect them. Each student will receive their very own Endangered Species Passport, which will be stamped as they learn about each animal. Through fun activities like storytelling, games, and crafts, students will explore real-world conservation efforts and discover how they can become Wildlife Heroes—right in their own backyard!

Celebrate the beauty of winter through art inspired by the natural world! Participants will explore the winter landscape and use natural materials like twigs, pinecones, leaves, and snow to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces.From frosty prints, woodland creature crafts or nature mandalas, this program blends creativity with outdoor discovery using pine needles, twigs, and snow. Whether indoors or out, it encourages imagination, mindfulness, and an appreciation for the quiet magic of the winter woods.