Nature Programs

Nature Programs are offered
year-round at Lake Hope

Programs are offered 5 days a week during the summer months and weekends throughout the rest of the year.  Program schedules are posted monthly during the summer and weekly during the off-season.  During the off-season, please email us before your trip and we'll let you know what we'll have going on!

SAMPLE of SUMMER PROGRAMS:

Family Creek Walk
Wear creekin’ shoes! Best for ages 6+  Meet at  nature center.  2-mile hike.
Hand-feed Hummingbirds!
Learn about hummingbirds then try to hand-feed them! Check out our display and video to learn more about these amazing creatures.  Bring your camera!  Please DONATE to the Friends of Lake Hope.   Nature center.
Birdwalk 
Search by sight and sound.   Binoculars provided. Hope School.      
No program July 28^th.
Moonville or King Tunnel?
Join the Naturalist for a ½-mile hike to either the supposedly haunted
Moonville Tunnel or the wooden-lined King Tunnel.   Odd days Moonville,
even days King.   Hope Schoolhouse with your vehicle.      
No program July 23^rd and 30^th .
Canoe Excursion
Enjoy a guided tour of the lake by way of canoe.  Along the way we’ll search for evidence of the American Beaver.     Sign up in advance at the nature center.  Participation limited.    Rental fee required per canoe.    
Roadkill 101
Learn how we recycle unlucky critters into displays.  Nature center.
Hit the Bluebird Trail
Join the Naturalist for a short walk to inspect our bluebird boxes for nestlings. 
No program July 22^ndand 29^th.
Hope Schoolhouse Open
Historical displays in an old one-room schoolhouse.  Open odd-numbered days only.
Archery Lessons!
Ages 7 and up can try to shoot a bullseye.  Parents must accompany children.  
Meet at the archery range past the beach.  No program July 23^rd and 30^th .
Saturday Night at the Movies!          
Family fun at the nature center amphitheater.  Disney films will
featured!  Titles for the summer are posted at all offices.  (1½ hours)
 Plant Hike
Enjoy a ½-mile hike to learn how to identify trees, wildflowers, and more! 
Nature center.  No program July 10^th .  Sling Shot event at camp office instead. 

9^th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 7^th      1:00pm
Kids can search for prize-filled eggs and families can
participate in “egg”-citing games!  Nature Center.

Annual Wildflower Walk

Saturday, April 21^st     1:00-3:00pm

1.5-mile walk along Raccoon Creek to identify wildflowers and discuss folklore.  Hope Furnace with your vehicle.

Youth Fishing Tournament

Saturday, May 5^th    9:00am-11:00am,
Parking Lot below the Lake Hope Dam

For kids aged 1-16. Adults must be present with each child.
Trophy presentation and cookout afterwards.
We provide the poles and bait or bring your own.

Migration Birdwalk

Saturday, May 12^th     9:00am-Noon

Search different habitats for spring migrants. Last year we saw 50 species of birds!   Some binoculars provided. Hope Furnace.

Hand-Feeding Hummingbirds

July 1-August 31^st
Participants can attempt to hand-feed hummingbirds.  
Nature Center.  Times and days to be announced.

Zaleski Flint Knap-In

Saturday, July 21^st  10:00am-4:00pm,

Learn how to make arrowheads, primitive tools, and atl-atls. Displays and demonstrations.  Nature Center.

 

33^rd Annual Fall Hike

Saturday, October 20^th     10:00am

3-mile guided hikes begin at 10:00am from the shelterhouse. Hike ends at Hope Furnace with bean soup and cornbread. Shuttles return you to your car. Enjoy sassafras tea to start.

Rural Ohio Appalachia Revisited
(ROAR) DAY

Saturday, October 27^th     10:00am-4:00pm
Shelterhouse and Hope School

Celebrate Appalachian culture through crafts, music, food, and fun.  Celebrate Appalachian Halloween too!