Meet native wildlife, discover the night sky, and explore nature at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

School age students explore Huntington Reservation, learn from wildlife rehabilitation specialists and tour the universe with resident astronomers in the Center’s youth and teen programs. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience during Junior Keeper or take part in a STEM adventure in the Center’s summer camps. These programs are perfect for students who want to explore and protect our natural world while meeting friends along the way.

Wildlife Experiences

Junior Keeper

For ages 8 – 16 with one adult

In this 2 ½ hour program, you will have the unique opportunity to work alongside our wildlife staff and experience first-hand how we care for our resident animals. Behind the scenes, you will learn about native and domestic animals while providing food, clean housing and training. There will be plenty of photo opportunities and close encounters with our animals!

Fee: $175. Adult chaperone is required and included in program cost.

View Offerings and Register

Wild Encounters

For ages 8 and up with one adult

Get up close with the animals! In a small group setting meet our resident animals, engage in unique activities and make connections to remember! Learn from our wildlife specialists about what it takes to care for our animals, and maybe get to help a little yourself in this 1-hour program.

Fee: $75. Adult chaperone is required and included in program cost.

View Offerings and Register

Afterschool Programs

Dirt Diaries

For grades 3 – 5

Join us for indoor after-school fun! Since the weather outside can be frightful this time of year, we will work on delightful engineering experiments indoors. There will be a new engineering challenge each week where you will use your creativity and problem solving skills to accomplish the challenge. Some challenges will be completed as a team while other challenges will be completed individually. We will use our journals to create sketches of our inventions.

Please check back for Fall 2024 offerings.

High School Programs

High School Naturalist

For grades 9 – 12

Are you a high school student who wants to experience all that we do at the Center? Join us on Saturdays and learn about the natural history of Ohio, see resident animals up close, and explore space in Schuele Planetarium. During this 9-session class, you will also engage with the Center’s visitors and share some of the information you have learned.

Please check back for Fall 2024 offerings.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is a registered service provider of the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program. The Ohio ACE program provides funds for students and families to use on various enrichment and educational activities, including tutoring, day camps, music lessons, study skills services and field trips. This program is available to any Ohio child ages 6 to 18 years old who meets at least one of the eligibility requirements. Learn more at aceohio.org.