A 4-day summer camp where campers ages 7-14 will learn essential outdoor skills while exploring forest ecosystems through hikes, hands-on science, and nature journaling. Activities include plant identification, campsite setup, water purification, botany, forest ecology, eco-art, nature journaling, and hands-on science lessons. Daily schedule runs from 7:30-9am drop-off to 5-6pm pickup with morning field investigations, lunch break, and afternoon activities. Scholarships available through Walton Family Foundation grant. Requires packed lunch and closed-toe shoes.

Discover and explore the natural world that exists within five local ecosystems that make up Maine's ecology. Campers will learn the basic ideas of ecology and how living things interact with each other and their nonliving environment. Each day will have a different theme focusing on the habitats around us including forests; freshwater, coastal, and peatland wetlands; and open field habitats. Through daily field trips and activities, campers will observe and study the natural environment of plants and animals typically found within habitats located in our community. Campers will gain an understanding of how plants and animals use physical and behavioral adaptations, as well as interactions with other species, to live in these habitats. Through self-guided and group projects, campers will build a strong foundation for an understanding of ecosystem ecology. Open to ages 9 to 12, no experience needed. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9:00 am until 3:30 pm.

Three backpacking trips where participants learn about ecology in wilderness settings. Grab your pack and head to the trails with OMSI in the Wallowas and Three Sisters Wilderness areas. Registration opens February 10th at 10am.

Before the Zoo opens, walk the Tropics Trail and watch as the animals wake up for the day. From howling gibbons and crooning hornbills to grunting lemurs and honking flamingos, open your ears to the chorus of songs welcoming you to a morning in the tropics. Get a bird's eye view from our special aviary treehouse and be entranced as the tropical birds come to feed for the morning. This experience is ideal for photographers, families, and birders of all sorts!

Before the Zoo opens, walk the Tropics Trail and watch as the animals wake up for the day. From howling gibbons and crooning hornbills to grunting lemurs and honking flamingos, open your ears to the chorus of songs welcoming you to a morning in the tropics. Get a bird's eye view from our special aviary treehouse and be entranced as the tropical birds come to feed for the morning. This experience is ideal for photographers, families, and birders of all sorts!

Join us for our Fall Butterfly Count through the North American Butterfly Association! A butterfly count is a community science project with the purpose of identifying and counting butterflies in a specific geographical area, raising awareness, and identifying any changes to butterfly habitats. The survey is scheduled to take place from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Please bring a water bottle and snacks/lunch, as well as a field guide and binoculars if you have them. Long pants and sturdy shoes are highly recommended. Due to parking limitations along the routes, carpooling may be necessary. Please note that butterfly surveys are weather dependent. An alternate date will be set if weather conditions are unsuitable.

The Christmas Bird Count, organized by the Audubon Society, is a North American citizen science survey that runs from December 14th through January 5th each year. Information gathered during these counts helps us to better understand the health and status of bird populations. Each year, Blue Ridge Discovery Center heads up to the New River CBC, centered around Sparta, NC. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate! This event is free to all and we'll make a full day of it. Additional information will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.