NCACC

Rolly Polly Race
2026-07-12 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Think you can find the fastest isopod? Learn about Rolly-Pollys and search for your winning champion!
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Learn and Conserve
2026-07-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-30 09:30 - 10:30 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Join us to learn about composting basics, local native and invasive species, and how to become a better land steward.
The pace and activities adapt to the group and conditions making each experience unique.
Optional: Stay afterward to join our volunteer crew for hands-on land management projects such as native planting or invasive removal.
Meet at the Caesar Creek Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Scat and Tracks
2026-07-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join us to discover how to identify different animal scats and tracks, followed by a short, guided hike to practice your skills in the field.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Sensory Exploration Walk
2026-07-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Join us for a ~1-mile guided hike as we explore the woods through the five senses. Along this walk, we’ll pause for simple activities that help us experience nature in new and meaningful ways.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Intro to Birding
2026-07-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join us for this beginner-friendly birding program where we’ll explore the fascinating world of birds and learn how to identify common species in our area.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Explore the Shore
2026-07-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Join us for a guided exploration of the lake’s shoreline as we discover the plants, wildlife, and other natural features that make this unique habitat so dynamic.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Trail Together
2026-07-18 17:00 - 18:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Join us for a ~2-mile guided hike on Lakeview trail to connect with nature, and one another. Learn about wildlife and park history on the way.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Moth Madness
2026-07-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Join us for a nighttime discovery lab where we shine lights on a white sheet to observe moths and other bugs up close as they come to visit!
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Stand-Up Paddleboard – Sunday Morning Stretches and Balance Techniques on the Water
2026-07-19 10:00 - 23:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
10:00 am – 11:30 pm
Join us for a relaxing stand-up paddleboard program focused on gentle stretching, balance, breathing and mindful time on the water. This is not a formal yoga class, but a beginner friendly outdoor wellness experience designed to help participants slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy the lake from a new perspective.
Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
Equipment and instruction provided. Equipment is limited
First come, first serve
Weather dependent
Meet at the campground boat ramp, SUP Hut.
Free and open to the public
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

From the Lake to the Creek Paddle
2026-07-19 12:30 - 15:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Join us for a canoe and kayak excursion as we explore the connection between Caesar Creek Lake and the watershed that gives the park it’s name. Participants will paddle along the shoreline and learn how water moves through the landscape, how creeks and lakes support wildlife, and why healthy waterways are important for people, plants and animals.
Participants will also learn basic canoeing and kayaking skills during this family friendly program.
Boats, gear, and instruction are provided. Equipment is limited and available first come, first serve.
Wear water shoes, not flip lops, and clothes that can get wet.
This program is weather dependent.
Meet at the Yak Shack near the Campground Boat Ramp.
Free and open to the public.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Giving Back to the Wild – Land Stewardship
2026-07-23 09:30 - 11:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
9:30am – 11:00 am
Meet the naturalist, volunteers and partner organizations as we continue efforts to restore the area around the Nature Center to native habitat
Learn how to identify native and invasive species, and how they affect wildlife
Discover ways to remove invasive species through discussion and observation
Participation is welcomed if you’d like to try invasive removal efforts alongside us; not expected. Bring boots and gloves if you’d like to join us
Weather dependent
Length of sessions vary
Meet at the Nature Center
Park Naturalist: Erin

Raptor Feeding
2026-07-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join us outside the Nature Center to learn about raptors you may see in the park.
Meet our wildlife ambassadors up close.
Learn what they eat and how you can help.
Park Naturalist: Erin

Moon Gardens and Essential Native Pollinators
2026-07-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Ohio
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Discover the magic of the night. Join us as we explore moon gardens, night blooming flowers, native plants, and nocturnal pollinators.
Learn how pale blossoms, sweet scents, and thoughtful garden design can support wildlife after dark. We’ll also talk about how responsible outdoor lighting helps protect fireflies, moths, birds and the natural rhythm of the night.
This program is great for families, gardeners, nature lovers and anyone curious about what happens in the landscape after sunset.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

The Lunar Terminator – Sunrise and Shadows on the Moon
2026-07-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Ohio
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Join us for an evening of moon observation as we explore the lunar terminator – the dramatic line where sunrise or sunset meets shadows on the moon. Through telescopes or binoculars, we’ll look for craters, mountains, ridges, and valleys made easier to see by the long shadows along this boundary. Learn why the moon’s surface appears more detailed near the terminator and how light and shadow help astronomers read the lunar landscape.
This program is a great introduction to moon watching, astronomy, and the science of shadows in space.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Raptors
2026-07-25 09:30 - 10:30 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Meet our live resident wildlife ambassadors up close, Stryker the red tailed hawk and Scout the screech owl. Discover the fascinating world of raptors; hawks, owls, falcons and other birds of prey you may see in the park. Participants will learn what makes these birds such skilled hunters, from sharp talons and hooked beaks to powerful eyesight and silent flight. We’ll explore their important role in the ecosystem, how then help keep nature in balance, and what we can do to protect them and their habitats.
This program is fun for families, bird lovers, and anyone curious about the wildlife hunters of the sky.

Archery – 3D Shoot
2026-07-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn basic archery skills. Try our 3D targets along with our normal square targets. The archery range at the Nature Center is designed for our program equipment. Visitors who want to bring their own equipment should go to our public archery range located by the Day Lodge.
Archery equipment and instruction for nature center programs are provided. Free.
Must be on-site before 1pm to register and participate. Fun for the whole family.
Meet at the Nature Center
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

The Science of Light – Rainbows and Prisms
2026-07-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Discover the colorful science behind one of nature’s most dazzling and familiar mysteries.
In this hands-on program, we’ll explore how sunlight, water droplets, prisms and angles work together to create rainbows. Participants will learn about the visible light spectrum and how rainbows help us understand light, weather, water and physics of the natural world.
The program will also connect rainbows to the bigger ideas in nature, including pollinators, animal vision, solar energy, weather patterns and why light is an important natural resource.
Families will have the chance to experiment with prisms, observe colors in sunlight and discover how something as simple as a rainbow can reveal the hidden science all around us.
Meet at the Nature Center
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Pollinator Powerhouses
2026-07-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join us for this Naturalist-led program to explore the world of bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. Discover how they work, why they matter, and how you can help protect them.
Meet at the Caesar Creek Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Guided Nature Center Tour
2026-07-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Meet the Naturalist for a guided tour of the Nature Center, and a chance to meet some of our wildlife ambassadors up close. Learn about plants and wildlife you may see in the park.
Meet at the Caesar Creek Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Firefly Night
2026-07-31 19:30 - 20:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Join us for an evening to explore the magical world of fireflies. Learn about their life cycle, glowing signals, and the role they play in local ecosystems.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Understory Exploration Walk
2026-08-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join us for a ~1-mile guided hike to explore Caesar Creek’s woodlands and learn to identify wildflowers and other understory plants.
Meet at the Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Kayak and Canoe Wildlife Excursion
2026-08-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
1:00 pm– 2:30 pm
Join us for a kayak and canoe program designed to teach basic paddling skills, water safety, and confidence on the water while exploring the natural beauty of the lake. Participants will learn how to safely enter and exit a boat, hold and use a paddle, steer, stop, and move efficiently though the water.
As we paddle, we’ll enjoy a guided wildlife excursion and look for birds, turtles, fish, and other animals that depend on healthy lake and shoreline habitats. This program is a great way to build outdoor skills, practice safe boating habits and experience the park from a new perspective.
Boats, gear, and instruction are provided. Equipment is limited and available first come, first serve. Priority is given to new participants.
Participants must be geared up and ready to go by the start of instructions to participate
Early arrival is encouraged
All equipment and instruction provided
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
Meet near the Cowan Lake campground beach.
Free and open to the public
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Stand-Up Paddle Board
2026-08-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
3:00 pm – 4:00pm
Join us on the water for an introduction to stand up paddle boarding. Participants will learn basic paddling skills, balance techniques, water safety, and how to safely get on and off the board.
This program is a great way to build confidence on the water while enjoying the lake from a new perspective. As we paddle, we’ll take time to observe wildlife and learn how to safely recreate on the water.
Boards, paddles, life jackets and instruction are provided. Equipment is limited and available first come, first serve. Priority is given to new participants.
Arrive early to sign waivers and get fitted for lifejackets
Must be onsite for instruction to participate.
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
Meet near the Cowan Lake Campground Beach
Weather dependent
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Explore the Shore
2026-08-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Join us for a guided exploration of the lake’s shoreline as we discover the plants, wildlife, and other natural features that make this unique habitat so dynamic.
Meet at the Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Nature Jeopardy
2026-08-01 17:00 - 18:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Test your plant and animal knowledge in a fun game of outdoorsy trivia!
Meet at the Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Sunset Sailing Kayaks
2026-08-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join us for a fun and unique paddling program as we explore the basics of sailing kayaks. Participants will learn how wind, water, and balance work together to help move a kayak across the lake. We’ll cover basic safety, paddling skills, steering and how to use a small sail to gravel with the wind.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy time on the water, observe lake wildlife, and learn how weather conditions can affect boating.
Boats, Gear and instruction are provided. Equipment is limited and available first come, first serve. Priority is given to new participants.
Weather dependent.
Meet at the Cowan Lake campground beach.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Sunset Sailing Kayaks
2026-08-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us for a fun and unique paddling program as we explore the basics of sailing kayaks. Participants will learn how wind, water, and balance work together to help move a kayak across the lake. We’ll cover basic safety, paddling skills, steering and how to use a small sail to gravel with the wind.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy time on the water, observe lake wildlife, and learn how weather conditions can affect boating.
Boats, Gear and instruction are provided. Equipment is limited and available first come, first serve. Priority is given to new participants.
Weather dependent.
Meet at the Cowan Lake campground beach.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Moth Madness
2026-08-01 20:00 - 21:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Join us for a nighttime discovery lab where we shine lights on a white sheet to observe moths and other bugs up close as they come to visit!
Meet at the Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Coffee and Birds by the Lake
2026-08-02 08:30 - 09:30 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
8:30 am – 9:30 am
Join us lakeside for a relaxed birdwatching program where you can enjoy your own coffee while observing and learning about local bird species in their natural habitat.
Meet at the Cowan Lake Campground Beach.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp
