NCACC

Explore the Shore
2026-07-04 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 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

Scat and Tracks
2026-07-04 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

Firefly Night
2026-07-04 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

Step into Hiking
2026-07-05 09:00 - 10:30 | Cowan Lake Commissary, 1750 Osborn Rd, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Join us for a ~1-mile guided hike on Lakeview and Beechnut trails. Learn about wildlife and park history on the way.
Meet at the Commissary.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Kayak / Canoe Holiday Weekend Paddle
2026-07-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Participants must be onsite by 10:30 am to participate
Early arrival is recommended
All equipment and instruction provided
Equipment is limited. First come, first serve
Learn the basics of canoeing and kayaking
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
Length of excursions will vary
Weather dependent
Fun for the whole family
Meet at the Yak Shack near the Campground Boat Ramp.
Free and open to the public
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Cowan’s Lotus Legacy
2026-07-05 11:00 - 11:30 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
11:00 am – 11: 30 am
Join us for this Naturalist-led program exploring the American lotus, a native aquatic plant that thrives in our lake. Learn how this unique species supports wildlife, shapes wetland habitats, and cycles through seasonal changes.
Meet at the Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Rocks and Relics
2026-07-05 13:00 - 13:30 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Stop by the Cowan Lake Nature Center to explore cool rocks and fossils at a touch table, learning how they formed and what they reveal about Earth’s history.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Stand-Up Paddle Board
2026-07-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
1:00 pm
All participants go through instructions near the SUP HUT together starting at 1pm. We will continue additional water sessions throughout the afternoon to get everyone through.
Arrive early to sign waivers and get fitted for lifejackets
Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
The length of excursions will vary
Equipment and instruction provided. Equipment is limited
First come, first serve
Weather dependent
Free and open to the public
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Stand-Up Paddle Board
2026-07-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
2:00 pm
All participants go through instructions near the SUP HUT together starting at 2pm. We will continue additional on water sessions to get everyone through. Must be onsite at the beginning of instruction to participate.
Arrive early to sign waivers and get fitted for lifejackets
Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
The length of excursions will vary
Equipment and instruction provided. Equipment is limited
First come, first serve
Weather dependent
Free and open to the public.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Scales and Tails
2026-07-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Join us to learn about local amphibians and reptiles on a short, guided hike, where we’ll search for them and explore their habitats, with a chance to meet some of our wildlife ambassadors up close.
Meet at the Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Learn and Conserve
2026-07-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
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 Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Raptors - Behind the Scenes
2026-07-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Go behind the scenes and discover what it takes to care for birds of prey. Participants will learn about daily raptor care, safe handling routings, feeding, enclosure upkeep, and the specialized equipment used in falconry and educational bird programs.
We’ll also explore how falconry equipment is made from leather crafting, why proper care matters, and how raptors help us teach about wildlife, conservation and responsible stewardship.
This program is great for anyone interested in birds of prey, animal care, falconry or behind the scenes Nature Center work.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Archery – Robin Hood Style
2026-07-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Caesar Creek Nature Center, 4006 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville, OH, 45068, United States
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Meet us at the Nature Center as we step into the legendary world of Robin Hood, the skilled archer of Sherwood Forest known for courage, adventure, and helping others.
Participants will learn basic archery safety, proper shooting form, and target practice skills while connecting this timeless outdoor activity to one of the most famous archery stories in history.
This beginner friendly program is designed for fun, focus, and skill building. Take the Robin Hood Archery Challenge.
Equipment and instruction provided.
Must be on-site before 1pm to register and participate.
Fun for the whole family.
Free and open to the public
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Guided Nature Center Tour
2026-07-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
3:00 pm – 4:00 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 Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Science of Light – Rainbows and Prisms
2026-07-10 16:30 - 17:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Meet at the campground amphitheater.
Discover the colorful science behind one of nature’s most 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, basic elements and 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.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Tree Identification Trek
2026-07-10 17:00 - 18:30 | Cowan Lake Commissary, 1750 Osborn Rd, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Join us for a ~1-mile guided hike on Lakeview and Beechnut trails. Learn how to identify trees, while uncovering how different species support wildlife and shape the landscape around you.
Meet at the Cowan Lake Commissary
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Moth Madness
2026-07-10 20:00 - 21:00 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
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 Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Paddle Through Time – Geology and Park History from the Water
2026-07-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Join us for a canoe and kayak excursion as we explore Caesar Creek’s unique geology and park history from the water. Participants will paddle along the shoreline to observe a stratified fossil wall from their boat and learn how ancient seas, fossil, rock layers and local history help tell the story of Caesar Creek.
We will not be collecting fossils during this excursion; however, we will discuss how visitors can get a free collecting permit from the Corps of Engineers while in the park.
Participants will also learn basic canoeing and kayak skills during this family friendly program.
Boats, gear and instruction are provided
Equipment is limited. First come, first serve
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
Weather dependent
Fun for the whole family
Meet at the Yak Shack near the Campground Boat Ramp.
Free and open to the public
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Rolly Polly Race
2026-07-11 13:00 - 13:45 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
Think you can find the fastest isopod? Learn about Rolly-Pollys and search for your winning champion!
Meet at the Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Stand-Up Paddle Board
2026-07-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
1:00 pm
Instruction begins at 1pm. Must be onsite for instruction to participate.
Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet
Boats are 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

Stand-Up Paddle Board
2026-07-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Boat Ramp, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
2:00 pm – 3:30
Arrive early to sign waivers and get fitted for lifejackets
Must be onsite for instruction to participate.
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

Explore the Shore
2026-07-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
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 Cowan Lake Campground Beach.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Biodiversity Challenge
2026-07-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Team up in small groups, families, or pairs for a hands-on biodiversity challenge! Using identification apps like Seek or iNaturalist, participants will explore the area and record as many different species as they can find.
Meet at the Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Firefly Night
2026-07-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Cowan Lake Nature Center, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
7:30 pm – 9:00 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 Cowan Lake Nature Center.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Coffee and Birds by the Lake
2026-07-12 08:30 - 09:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
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 Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Birding from Boats
2026-07-12 09:30 - 10:30 | Cowan Lake Campground Beach, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Join us for a canoe and kayak excursion as we observe birds along the shoreline from our boats.
Learn why birding is important.
Learn how to collect information for citizen science research.
Fun for the whole family!
Wear sturdy shoes (not flip flops).
Boats (limited), gear and instruction are provided by the park naturalist.
First come, first serve.
Meet at the Cowan Lake campground beach.
Park Naturalist: Erin Shaw

Step into Hiking
2026-07-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Join us for a ~2-mile guided hike on Lakeview trail. Learn about wildlife and park history on the way.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Backyard Bugs
2026-07-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Caesar Creek Campground Amphitheater, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio, 45068
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join us for this Naturalist-led program to dive into the world of bugs.
Meet at the Campground Amphitheater near the boat ramp.
Park Naturalist: Kaia Heitkamp

Rolly Polly Race
2026-07-12 14:00 - 14:30 | 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 | 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
