CRESTLINE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Crawford Park District is inviting the community to shake off the winter chill this February with a series of hands-on educational programs ranging from reptile encounters to a search for hidden insect egg cases.
The February lineup kicks off at Lowe-Volk Park with a specialized session for homeschoolers and continues throughout the month at various district locations.
Homeschool in Nature: Reptilia
On Thursday, Feb. 5, homeschool students aged 5–12 are invited to explore the world of reptiles. With approximately 10,000 known reptile species globally, Naturalists will guide students through the classification of the class Reptilia. The program, held at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., features a chance to meet some of the district’s live animal ambassadors.
Ootheca Hike
Nature enthusiasts can join Naturalist Donald on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. at Unger Park for a unique winter scavenger hunt. Participants will search for “ootheca”—the foamy egg cases of praying mantises. The hike covers how to identify these structures in the wild and the basics of raising young mantises from their eggs.
Face to Face: Lizards
The lizard spotlight continues on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center. This family-friendly event explores the diversity of lizards, from the tiny nano-chameleon to the Komodo dragon. Local families can get up close with lizard ambassadors and learn about species native to Ohio and those found across the globe.
Rock Tumbling Workshop
For those interested in geology, the district will host a Rock Tumbling class on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lowe-Volk Park. The session includes a multimedia lesson on the hobby of polishing stones, featuring a special focus on Ohio’s official state gemstone, Flint. Handouts will be provided for those looking to start the hobby at home.
For more information on these and other upcoming programs, residents can visit their website or follow the Crawford Park District on Facebook.