Backpacking Series: Week 2 - Water & Waste
2025-09-08 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-week series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however, the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least ONE class.
Each week’s topic will have two dates to choose from in that week – you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. This series is for all ages and all backpacking abilities, from beginner to experienced backpackers.
Week #2: Water & Waste. One of the most important considerations for backpacking is where you will get clean, drinkable water. We will cover all of the important information you need to keep yourself hydrated and healthy on the trail. Participants will have the opportunity to practice treating water. We will provide a few filtering devices to share, however, you are encouraged to bring your own treatment system to practice with!
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire, & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike!

Intro to Rucking
2025-09-09 09:30 - 10:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
A blend of cardio and strength training, the activity of rucking is quickly gaining popularity within the fitness community. But what is rucking exactly? Rucking originated in the military, where carrying large amounts of weight across great distances is a necessity. Simply put, rucking is walking with a weighted pack or rucksack. Join us for a staff led Intro to Rucking program, meet at the Lakes Area of Quarry Trails Metro Park. It is recommended to bring a backpack with weight to wear as we are traversing the trails.

Preschool: Turtle Time
2025-09-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Meet our resident Box Turtle and learn all about how terrific turtles are through games, song, and a fun craft!

Try It! Archery
2025-09-09 15:30 - 17:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment provided. Ages 8+.

Evening Kayaking
2025-09-09 16:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed times and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Puppy Socialization Adventure Hike
2025-09-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Introduce your puppy to the outdoors and hiking in the presence of other dogs and people. Puppies should be fully vaccinated and under 1yr old. Hike will be at a slow pace with opportunities for you to practice skills you are working on, so bring favorite treats. Please no retractable leashes; max. six foot leads. This program is not meant to be a “puppy playtime”, but an opportunity for you to teach your puppy how to walk calmly and politely in a new environment. Please leave older dogs at home. Meets Tuesdays in September & October at 6pm, except Sept 30. Hike will conclude by 645pm. Hike will be cancelled in event of inclement weather; see the Rocky Fork Facebook page for up to date information on cancellation.

Story Time
2025-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy a reading of “Box Turtle at Long Pond”, meet a live turtle and make a turtle craft to take home.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-09-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States

Kids: Bug Hunt
2025-09-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn all about the insects that buzz around the park and go on a short hike to look for them! We’ll use nets to catch bugs and magnifying glasses to see these miniscule animals up close. Ages 4-12. Meet in the Big Meadows parking lot by the bathrooms and playground.
Meet in Big Meadows. Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

Homeschool: Reptiles Rule!
2025-09-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Learn about Ohio’s reptiles in this special “Back-to-(home)School” program. Meet some of our reptile Animal Ambassadors.

Homeschoolers: Back to School
2025-09-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike to discover the different ways animals think and learn.

Sunset Spikeball
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us for a free and fun session of Spikeball! This game requires some hand-eye coordination. Learn the basics and become a pro! All instruction and equipment provided. We will be playing in the field behind the Scioto Audubon Climbing Wall.

Preschool: Gotta Go!
2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about monarch butterfly migration with a story, craft and activities.

For Adults 50+: Chair Yoga
2025-09-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Yoga instructor, Margaret McCullough from North YMCA, for chair Yoga intended to improve balance and muscle strength through Yoga poses. We will be either seated or standing to do the poses. No floor activities. We use gentle stretches and muscle strengthening exercises for the entire body. Bring your lunch for after the program, enjoy nature journaling and join us for the For Adults 50+ Mindfulness Walk at 1pm.
Meet at the Mansion Shelter.

Trophic Decomposition
2025-09-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
There are many types of shredders in our ecosystem, join us for an immersive study on some species. Best for adults or ages 12+.

For Adults 50+: Mindfulness Walk
2025-09-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Take a one mile walk with a naturalist to learn and practice several techniques for bringing mindfulness into your relationship with nature, with the goal of feeling more present in the world around you. The path will be some pavement and some dirt/crushed limestone. Easy walking, but some hills. Come to the For Adults 50+ Chair Yoga program at 11am and bring your lunch and enjoy nature journaling between programs.
Meet at the Mansion Shelter.

Paddle the Peninsula
2025-09-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy paddling around the Scioto Audubon Peninsula in a kayak! Solo, sit-in kayaks and tandems will be available. Solo sit-in kayaks have a weight capacity of 275 pounds and age requirement of 10+, tandems are all ages. Meet at the boat ramp at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!

Fall Slow Flow Yoga
2025-09-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join yoga instructor Cole Herman for a beginner-friendly yoga class. Gently flow between poses, while reducing stress and muscle tension, and increasing balance and flexibility. Dress in comfy layers. Please bring a yoga mat and bottle of water.

Bye-Bye Butterflies
2025-09-13 12:00 - 12:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about the epic migration undertaken by monarch butterflies, the perils the face along the way, what you can do you help them on their journey, and watch as we tag and release any that are ready to migrate.

History of the Hundred Acre Wood
2025-09-13 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Take a 2-mile off-trail hike while exploring the secrets of this beautiful forest. Wear sturdy shoes; Steep ravines.

Adult Evening Hike
2025-09-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Come out for an evening social hike to the wetland bird blind with a Highbanks naturalist. We’ll meet new people, look for migrating birds, and chit chat as we take a relaxed hike down the Overlook and Wetland Spur trails. Ages 18+. Meet in Oak Coves Picnic Area- 3rd parking lot near bathrooms.
Meeting Location Oak Coves 3rd parking lot: The Oak Coves picnic area is your first LEFT after entering the park. Once you turn left into the Oak Coves picnic area, we will be in the third parking lot. Meet the naturalist at the bulletin board. Follow the orange program signs. If the parking lot is full, the Oak Coves picnic area has 4 other parking lots within 5-8 minutes walking time of the meeting location.

Evening Nature Walk
2025-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll go on a 2-mile hike, enjoying the woods and fields while hopefully hearing and observing wildlife as the sun sets. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Bird Walk
2025-09-14 08:30 - 09:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Come for an early morning stroll while looking for September migrating birds and avian residents. Binoculars will be available. Trails are a mix of paved, crushed limestone, boardwalk, and some turf.

Outdoor Inclusive Adventure
2025-09-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Join us for a day of outdoor fun and adventure! With the help of our partners at the Y, we are creating a fun, safe place for people of all abilities to explore the outdoors, kayak, fish, play outdoor games and learn new crafts.

Nature Ramble
2025-09-14 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy late summer’s natural abundance and good company as we go on a roughly 2.5-mile walk through fields and forests with frequent stops along the way to learn about what we observe. Bring water and your sense of curiosity. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Campfire and S'mores
2025-09-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by to make a classic campfire treat. S’mores and roasting sticks will be provided.

Sunset with Bison
2025-09-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a less than 1-mile hike to the bison during the evening for some great pictures and views! Meet at Nature Center. Adults only.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-09-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Scioto Grove Metro Park during this month’s Toddler Adventure Club! We will hike as far as possible during the time-frame, and staff will have an adventure pack with compasses, maps, and other adventure tools for kids to utilize during the program.
Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area.

Backpacking Series: Week 3 - Fuel, Fire, & Food
2025-09-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-week series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however, the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least ONE class.
Each week’s topic will have two dates to choose from in that week – you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. This series is for all ages and all backpacking abilities, from beginner to experienced backpackers.
Week #3: Fuel, Fire, & Food. When it comes to preparing meals for backpacking, there are several options to pick from. We will talk about the pros and cons of various types of backpacking stoves, how much fuel to bring, field maintenance, and safety. We will also make (and try!) a variety of backpacking meals, and learn about proper nutrition when out on the trail.
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire, & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike!
