Change in Nature Center Hours:
The Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center will have
new hours for the remainder of the winter months. 
The new hours are:  Monday to Friday:  8am-4pm
Saturday:  Noon to 4pm
Sunday: Closed
Lowe-Volk Nature Center
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Crawford Park District
2401 SR 598
Crestline, OH  44827
419-683-9000

Lowe-Volk Nature Center
Hours:
Mon-Fri:8:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday - Closed

Forest Friends:
Pre-K Learning in Nature

Whether they are making a mud pizza, observing a tadpole growing legs, or climbing a tree, interaction with nature is essential in meeting the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of children. This program combines early childhood and environmental education to:
● Foster curiosity
● Inspire confidence & independence
● Encourage problem solving & reflection
● Strengthen balance, coordination, & concentration

A typical session includes:
● Game or Animal encounter
● Introduction or review of new learning concepts
● Read aloud
● Hike & exploration of the woods, river, pond, or wetland
● Healthy snack
● Free play time & One-on-one work with teacher
 
This program incorporates outdoor learning with Ohio’s Early Learning & Development Standards, which focus on math, science, social studies, language & literacy as well as social/emotional & physical development. It is led by a licensed Pre-K teacher/naturalist.

Classes will be outside rain, snow, or shine, except in cases of severe weather. Learning sessions will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with a morning session from 9-11:30am and an afternoon session from 1-3:30pm. Class sizes are limited to six students per session, and registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. Cost is $100/month. This program is for 4- or 5-year-olds who will be starting Kindergarten in 2022. Due to limited availability, registration forms and September’s payment must be submitted in-person at Lowe-Volk Nature Center to secure a child’s participation in this program. For more information, call the Nature Center at 419-683-9000.

Junior Naturalist Club 

Consider joining the new and improved Junior Naturalist Club with the Crawford Park District! Open to anyone age 12-18 who has an interest in nature or animal related careers, or just want to spend time learning about nature with a group of young professionals. Our meetings will be held once a month on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 5pm, starting March 9th! The meeting topics will depend on the interests of the participants, but we hope to learn about conducting educational programming, conservation, animal care, and natural history. As well as having guest speakers and field trips. To apply, please download and fill out the application below and drop it off to Naturalist Abby at the front desk of the Nature Center or scan it and email her at aditomassi@crawfordparkdistrict.org. 
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New at Lowe-Volk Park:
Sandstone Rockscape

The Crawford Park District is pleased to announce the recent construction of A Sandstone Rockscape at Lowe-Volk Park.  The rockscape was designed and built by a group of volunteers commonly called, The Cabin Guys. Their name was assigned because the men built the Dapper Cabin at Colonel Crawford Schools.   The historic sandstone was donated by Chuck Kimerline of Bucyrus Road Materials and Nancy Everly of The Leesville Trading Post.  Since sandstone was previously quarried at Lowe-Volk Park, it was the perfect building material for the rockscape.