for last-minute announcements regarding scheduled events because of weather or other circumstances.
Click here for a printable Summer 2025 calendar.
Nature Center Hours, Summer 2024
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| Wednesday | 12PM – 4PM |
| Thursday | 10AM – 12PM |
| Friday: | 1PM – 3PM |
| Saturday: | 10AM – 4PM |
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4006 Pioneer Village Road
Waynesville, OH 45068
Contact Naturalist Erin Shaw:
mailto: erin.shaw@dnr.ohio.gov |
- Thursday July 4
- Campground Holiday Hike
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2:00 pm
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Meet the Naturalist for a one-mile guided hike to discover hidden views of the lake on our Lakeview Trail.
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Hiking shoes recommended.
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Trails can be muddy.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Bald Eagles
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3:00 pm
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Celebrate the 4th of July through nature. Learn about the majestic and symbolic bald eagle.
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Talk with the naturalist as we discuss where and how to see them in the park.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Geology and Fossils of Caesar Creek
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4:00 pm
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Learn about Ordovician fossils.
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Touch and see fossils as you learn how to identify them in our kits.
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Learn how to get a free fossil collecting permit and where to find them.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Friday July 5
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- Lightning Bugs, Morse Code and Flashlight Tag
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8:00 pm
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Did you know there are 24 species of lightning bugs in Ohio?
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Learn why these fascinating creatures are important.
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Learn why they are disappearing and how you can help.
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Learn how they communicate.
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Try your skills through a creative game of flashlight tag inspired by the Morse Code.
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Bring a flashlight or borrow one of ours.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Stars, Galaxies and Legends of the Night Sky
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9:00 pm
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Learn about the wonders of the dark night sky.
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No flashlights needed, otherwise flashlights with a red filter are preferred.
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Bring your binoculars or telescope, or look through ones provided by the park naturalist and local astronomers.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Saturday, July 6th, 10:00 am - Noon
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- Butterfly Census
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Do you like butterflies? Would you like to learn more about these winged creatures or share your knowledge? Please join the Caesar Creek Park Rangers for our annual count in conjunction with the North American Butterfly Association. NABA was formed to promote awareness of butterfly conservation and the benefits of butterfly gardening, observation, and education. For more information or to register call the Visitor Center,
tel:513-897-1050
- Saturday July 6
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- Kayak / Canoe Wildlife Excursion in the Campground
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9:00 am
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Learn the basics of canoeing and kayaking.
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Meet at the Yak Shack near the Campground Boat Ramp.
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Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet.
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Length of excursions will vary.
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Equipment and instruction will be provided. Equipment is limited. First come, first serve.
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Weather dependent.
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Free.
- Stand-Up Paddle Board in the Campground
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11:00 am
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Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding.
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Meet at the SUP Hut near the Campground Boat Ramp.
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Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet.
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Length of excursions will vary.
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Equipment and instruction will be provided. Equipment is limited. First come, first serve.
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Weather dependent.
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Free.
- Furs, Feathers and Campground Funnybones
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Caesar Creek State Park Naturalist Programs
Recreation programs and activities can be inherently dangerous. Participants accept and acknowledge that any injury or
property damage that occurs during a program or activity is not the responsibility of ODNR or its naturalist educators. Check the
'Caesar Creek State Park' Facebook page for details and updates. www.facebook.com/CaesarCreekStatePark
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2:00 pm
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Meet the Naturalist to learn about animal fur, feathers and other interesting things you may see in the park.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
Campground Wildlife Discovery Hike
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3:00 pm
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Join the Naturalist for a wildlife discovery hike along the Lakeview Trail. Learn about plants and animals in the park.
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Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Trails can be muddy.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Thursday July 18
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- Snipe Hunt
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3:00 pm
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Did you know snipe are real? See one for yourself.
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Bring your binoculars in hopes we can find another one!
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Meet the naturalist at the campground shelter house
- Friday July 19
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- Full Moon Canoe / Kayak in the Campground
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8:00 pm
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Join the Naturalist as we watch the sunset and full moon rise over the lake from a boat.
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Learn the basics of canoeing and kayaking.
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(Required) Bring a flashlight or headlamp.
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Dress in layers. Bug spray recommended.
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Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet.
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Equipment and instruction will be provided. Equipment is limited.
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Pre-registration required. Email erin.shaw@dnr.ohio.gov for more information.
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Weather dependent. Free.
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Meet at the Yak Shack near the Campground Boat Ramp.
- Saturday July 20
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- Canoe/kayak special evening program offered the night before
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Guided Biodiversity Hike
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9:00 am
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Join the Naturalist for a moderate one-mile guided hike.
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Dress for the weather. Wear sturdy shoes. Trails can be muddy.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Stand-Up Paddle Board in the Campground
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11:00 am
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Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding.
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Meet at the SUP Hut near the Campground Boat Ramp.
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Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet. Length of excursions will vary. Equipment and instruction will be provided. Equipment is limited. First come, first serve. Weather dependent. Free.
Sensory Saturday in the Campground
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2:00 pm
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This program is designed for people of all ages and abilities. Learn how animals use their senses to navigate the wild.
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Meet at the Campground Shelter House.
- The Bee's Knees
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3:00 pm
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Do you know how to identify honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, carpenter bees and more? Do you know how they are different and why they are important?
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Meet the naturalist to learn more about these fascinating and important insects.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Thursday July 25
- Land Management Techniques
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10:00 am
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Join us for a PowerPoint presentation and discussion to learn how and why to manage natural areas in your backyard.
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Meet at the Nature Center.
Caesar Creek State Park Naturalist Programs
Recreation programs and activities can be inherently dangerous. Participants accept and acknowledge that any injury or
property damage that occurs during a program or activity is not the responsibility of ODNR or its naturalist educators. Check the
'Caesar Creek State Park' Facebook page for details and updates. www.facebook.com/CaesarCreekStatePark
- Native / Invasive Plants in the Campground
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3:00 pm
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Learn different ways to identify plants. Which ones are native to Ohio? Why are invasive plants bad?
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Meet the naturalist at the campground shelter house to see what's growing nearby.
- Friday July 26
- Archery
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1:00 pm (Session 1)
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Equipment and instruction provided. Free.
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Must be on-site before 1pm to register and participate. Fun for the whole family.
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Meet at the Nature Center
- Archery
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2:00 pm (Session 2)
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Equipment and instruction provided. Free.
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Must be on-site before 1pm to register and participate. Fun for the whole family.
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Meet at the Nature Center
- Poisonous Plants
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6:30 pm
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Poison hemlock, poison ivy and particular mushrooms, oh my!
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Meet the naturalist to learn about the most poisonous plants in the park.
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Learn how to co-exist or remove poisonous plants safely.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Saturday July 27
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- Kayak / Canoe Wildlife Excursion in the Campground
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9:00 am
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Learn the basics of canoeing and kayaking.
-
Meet at the Yak Shack near the Campground Boat Ramp.
-
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet. Length of excursions will vary. Equipment and instruction will be provided. Equipment is limited. First come, first serve. Weather dependent. Free.
- Stand-Up Paddle Board in the Campground
-
-
11:00 am
-
Learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding.
-
Meet at the SUP Hut near the Campground Boat Ramp.
-
Wear water shoes (not flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet. Length of excursions will vary. Equipment and instruction will be provided. Equipment is limited. First come, first serve. Weather dependent. Free.
Campground Nature Scavenger Hunt
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2:00 pm
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Discover the A, B, C's of nature during a fun scavenger hunt with the park naturalist.
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Meet at the campground shelter house.
- Dad Jokes for Campers
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3:00 pm
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Meet the Naturalist. Bring your best (or worst) nature-based dad jokes appropriate for families.
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Meet at the Campground Shelter House.