Youth and Teen Programs

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.

Owl Encounter

For ages 8 and up with one adult

This is your opportunity for an up-close experience with the Center’s resident owls! In a small group setting, meet our owls, hear their stories, and learn about the unique traits of these nocturnal beauties.

Fee: $100. Adult chaperone is required and included in program cost.

Snake Encounter

For ages 8 and up with one adult

This is your opportunity for an up close and hands on experience with our snakes! In a small group setting, meet our resident snakes, feel their cool scales and learn about the unique traits of these incredible reptiles.

Fee: $100. Adult chaperone is required and included in program cost.

Afterschool Programs

Dirt Diaries

For grades 3 – 5

Join us for outdoor afterschool fun for grades 3, 4, and 5! We will be exploring in the forest, learning about animals, and studying the stars. We will use nature journals each day to draw and write about what we learn and observe. Dress for the weather, we will go outdoors as much as possible.

Fall Session:
Thursdays, September 21 – November 9
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Fee: $175/child.

Please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org to register with a prorated fee.

Spring Session:
Thursdays, March 21 – May 16 (No class on 4/4)
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Fee: $175/child.

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.

Saturdays
September 23 – November 25

12:30 – 4:00 p.m.
No class on October 14 due to Partial Solar Eclipse.

Fee: $695/student.

Ohio ACE inv bluetxt 1

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.

Refund Policy: Notification is required one week prior to the start of a program to be eligible for a refund. A service fee of 5% will be applied to all refunds. Please note there are no refunds for missed classes and make-up classes are not provided.

Upcoming Programs

september 2023

sat30sep10:00 AMsat11:00 AMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

sat30sep12:30 PMsat4:00 PMHigh School NaturalistFor grades 9-1212:30 PM - 4:00 PM

october 2023

thu05oct3:30 PMthu5:00 PMDirt DiariesFor grades 3-53:30 PM - 5:00 PM

fri06oct3:00 PMfri4:00 PMSnake EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

wed11oct3:00 PMwed4:00 PMSnake EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

sat14oct1:30 PMsat2:30 PMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

fri20oct3:00 PMfri4:00 PMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

sat21oct9:00 AMsat11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

november 2023

tue07nov9:00 AMtue11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

sat11nov9:00 AMsat11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

wed22nov1:00 PMwed2:00 PMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

december 2023

sat09dec9:00 AMsat11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

sat16dec1:30 PMsat2:30 PMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

wed20dec1:00 PMwed2:00 PMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

thu28dec9:00 AMthu11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

fri29dec9:00 AMfri11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

january 2024

tue02jan9:00 AMtue11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

sat13jan1:30 PMsat2:30 PMSnake EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

mon15jan9:00 AMmon11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

sat20jan9:00 AMsat11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

february 2024

sat10feb1:30 PMsat2:30 PMOwl EncounterFor ages 8 and up with one adult1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

fri16feb9:00 AMfri11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

sat17feb9:00 AMsat11:30 AMJunior KeeperFor ages 8 - 16 with one adult9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

march 2024

thu21mar3:30 PMthu5:00 PMDirt DiariesFor grades 3-53:30 PM - 5:00 PM