From the sheep’s body to the finished wool product @ Sheep to Shawl Festival 2019 @ Oatland Is. Wildlife Center in Savannah.

Observe and participate in the magical creation of a woolen shawl through all the stages of wool processing at this annual fundraiser for Oatland Island Wildlife Center.

Members of The Fiber Guild of the Savannahs join Oatland staff and volunteers in making this traditional spring celebration fun for the whole family. the Oatland sheep will be sheared throughout the day with crafts, games, hay rides, and much more!

Sheep to Shawl Festival
Sat. March 9, 2019
10AM-4PM
Admission: Adults: $5
Children, Seniors, Military: $3

Details here.

Come to the Fairy & Gnome Festival 2019 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah for a day of enchantment, Sat. May 4, 2019, 10AM-2PM

This family-themed festival is all about the “wee folk” getting up close with the natural world and encouraging imaginative play. Dress in costume and flaunt your wings in our fashion show; mine for magic gems; frolic in the enchanted forest for a fairy surprise; construct a fairy village; enjoy games and crafts inspired by the natural world.

Bring the whole family and stroll through Oatland’s magical trails and maybe you will catch a glimpse of a fairy or gnome looking for a place to call home. Additional fees may apply. All proceeds go to feeding our magical animal kingdom.

Cost: regular admission to Oatland Island Wildlife Center as well as some extra fundraising activities during the event. Find admission costs here.

Fairy & Gnome Festival 2019
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandown Rd.
Savannah, 31410
(912) 395-1500

Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah reopened in late December 2018 after being closed for months due to damage sustained from a summer 2018 tornado.

To celebrate, Oatland will have a special Grand Reopening Celebration on Sat. Jan. 12 2019, 10AM-2PM. Admission is FREE. (Donations appreciated).

Enjoy food trucks, live music, open fire cooking, live animal encounters, a 1PM cake cutting & cabin tours. Learn more here.

Oatland’s Toddler Tuesdays nature programs is also back. Find the Toddler Tuesday winter 2019 schedule here. 

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Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

Toddlers Tuesdays are back for 2020 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah.

The popular Savannah nature program for kids will offer a choice of 2 times, until they get rolling again: 10-10:45AM; and 11-11:45AM.

It is the same program each time, just pick the time that is more convenient to you.

Cost of the program: $5 per child that is participating and regular admission for the rest of your party. This is a special fundraising program, so even if you are members the cost is $5 per child.

Pre-registration is required! Space is limited to 15 students per session. Registration closes on Tuesday at 7:30AM. Please cancel if you know you won’t make it to open spaces for other children. Click on link below to register.

Problems with registration contact Ms. Michelle at michelle.kelly@sccpss.com or 912-395-1517.

Toddler Tuesday is a program designed to introduce our youngest learners to the wonders of the natural world. Children and their adults will experience nature through themed activities including songs, finger play, story time, nature walks, live animal encounters and crafts. Your child will commune with nature in a safe, playful and experiential way in Toddler Tuesday classes.

Click on link below to register for these 2020 Toddler Tuesdays.

March 24–A Vulture’s View

March 31–Frog on a Log in a Bog

April 7–3..2..1..Blast Off 

 April 14–National Dolphin Day!

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wildlife and education programs
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA, 31410
(912) 395-1212

Admission rates here.  

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

One of our favorite Savannah kids’ Halloween events –  the Halloween Hike @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center , is scheduled for Fri & Sat. Oct. 19 & 20 2018.

If you’ve never taken your little trick-or-treaters to this non-scary Halloween event, make sure this is the year you do so!

Halloween Hike
Oct. 19 & 20, 2018
5PM-8PM (last hike leaves at 8PM)

CASH ONLY

Adults: $5
Children: $10

This is a fun, safe, not-so-scary fundraiser for your little trick or treaters! Walk with your trickster down our friendly forest trail to meet and gather goodies from our friendly animal characters. Let Mother Earth show you the way and sit with Mother Goose as she tells her favorite rhymes. There will be face painting, spooky crafts, and many more activities. Comfortable walking shoes and costumes are encouraged.

Concessions will be available before or after the hike.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

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FOR MORE FALL FESTIVALS 2018, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM FALL FUN GUIDE. 

You are invited to a Sea Turtle Release this Fri. June 15 @ Great Dunes Beach on Jekyll Is., which is about a 90 minute drive on I-95 from Savannah.

Join the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Is. as they release some of their rehabilitated patients back to the ocean.

The release happens at 2PM Fri. June 15.

Please arrive early, as the release will start promptly at 2 p.m. Remember to bring your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and a friend.

This event is free & open to their public. There is a required $6 Daily Parking Fee to enter Jekyll Is.

Learn more about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center including visiting hours & daily kid-friendly programs here. 

Read our Things To Do With Kids on Jekyll Island list here.

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Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Visit the state’s only rescue & rehabilitation facility to learn about the endangered sea turtles that visit our coast. Meet some of the turtle patients in the center’s hospital & learn their stories that brought them there.

During the nesting months of summer (June and July), the center leads nightly turtle walks.  After the turtles hatch in August, the center offers hatchling walks at dawn.

www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org or (912) 635-4444

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Find more kid-friendly daytrips from Savannah here. 

Free for moms on Mother’s Day 2018 in Savannah 

On Sunday, May 13 2018, admission to all Coastal Heritage Society sites in Savannah are FREE for mothers and grandmothers in honor of Mother’s Day! That includes:
*Savannah Children’s Museum. See schedule of daily here. 
*Georgia State Railroad Museum
*Old Fort Jackson
*Pinpoint Heritage Museum

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FREE for moms on Sat. May 12 
Free bring your mom to workout day @ Crossfit Hyperformance in Savannah, 10:15AM. Details here.

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Free for moms on Mother’s Day Weekend in Jacksonville 

Celebrate MOM with free admission to Jacksonville Zoo on Mother’s Day Weekend 2018.
Mom gets in free with the purchase of any adult or child’s ticket with the coupon.

Click here for more info.

Jacksonville Zoo & Garden, 370 Zoo Parkway Jacksonville, Fla 32218, (904) 757-4463 www.jacksonvillezoo.org

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Free monthly Young Explorers Club 

The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge hosts a preschoolers “Young Explorers Club” on the first Tuesday of each month.

The free, hour-long monthly program for 3-4 year-olds starts at 10AM on the first Tuesday of each month.  There will be story time, crafts, snacks, and take-home activities all about this month’s topic.

The programs are at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (694 Beech Hill Lane Hardeeville, SC 29927).

Each month, a different animal or method of conservation will be highlighted. Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 30387 have designed the monthly programs as their service project for completing the Bronze Award. The themes are:

April – Recycle
May – Baby Birds
June – Alligators
July – Sea Turtles
August – Spiders
September – Fish
October – Butterflies
November – Turkeys
December – Ducks

For more information, please contact Joel Vos at (843) 784-2468.

Learn more here.

National Wildlife Refuge in Savannah/Hardeeville.
694 Beech Hill Ln
Hardeeville, South Carolina 29927

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Come to Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah for the 2017 Harvest Festival & Cane Grinding Sat. Nov. 18 to celebrate Georgia’s diverse agricultural traditions during this annual fundraising event.

Centered around our 1800’s Heritage Homesite, history comes alive at this old-fashioned fall gathering.  The sights, sounds & aromas will tug at your senses as you enjoy music, storytelling, children’s games & talent show, traditional crafts, demos & more.

Oatland staff will be grinding sugar cane and making cane syrup as well as cooking copper kettle apple butter & a variety of open fire & hearth recipes to sample.

Admission: $7 for adults; $5 for children.
10AM-4PM Sat. Nov. 18 2017 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah

For more info, call 912-395-1517.

One of our favorite Savannah kids’ Halloween events –  the Halloween Hike @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center , will be Oct. 20 & 21 2017.

If you’ve never taken your little trick-or-treaters to this non-scary Halloween event, make sure this is the year you do so!

Halloween Hike
Oct. 20 & 21, 2017
5PM-8PM (last hike leaves at 8PM)

CASH ONLY

Adults: $5
Children: $10

This is a fun, safe, not-so-scary fundraiser for your little trick or treaters! Walk with your trickster down our friendly forest trail to meet and gather goodies from our friendly animal characters. Let Mother Earth show you the way and sit with Mother Goose as she tells her favorite rhymes. There will be face painting, spooky crafts, and many more activities. Comfortable walking shoes and costumes are encouraged.

Concessions will be available before or after the hike.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

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FOR MORE FALL FESTIVALS 2017, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM FALL FUN GUIDE HERE. 

Hallowmarine Hike @ UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium, Skidaway Is., Savannah
Wed. Oct. 25 @ 7-8PM
Get into the spirit of Halloween by taking part in an interpretive night hike on the Jay Wolf Nature Trail at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium. Staff will lead participants down the trail while listening for owls, insects, frogs, and other night noises. Participants may even spot deer or bats during the hike. This program is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Time: 7-8 p.m.
Cost: $10

Reservations and payment required one week prior to these events. For more information or to register, please call the public programs coordinator at 912-598-3345 or email kayla270@uga.edu.

Celebrate MOM with free admission to Jacksonville Zoo on Mother’s Day, May 14 2017.

Mom gets in free with the purchase of any adult or child’s ticket with the coupon.

Click here for the Mother’s Day Coupon!

Jacksonville Zoo & Garden, 370 Zoo Parkway Jacksonville, Fla 32218, (904) 757-4463 www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Mother’s Day Gift-making: The art of Gyotaku @ UGA Marine Education Center And Aquarium on Skidaway Is., Savannah
Sat. May 13 @ 11AM-Noon
$14
Discover Gyotaku, the Japanese art of fish printing. Learn about what makes a fish a fish, then try your hand at Gyotaku. Paper for Gyotaku prints will be provided, but if you would like to print on fabric please bring your own article of clothing, tote bag or cloth object to print on.
Children 5 & older, must be accompanied by an adult.
Learn more here.

To register call or email Kayla Clark, (912) 598-3345 or kayla270@uga.edu

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More May 2017 kid-friendly events @ UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium, Skidaway Is., Savannah

Maritime Forest Night Hike
May 24 2017 @ 8:30-9:30PM
Cost: $10
Explore the maritime forest at night at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium. Staff will lead participants down the nature trails while listening for owls, insects, and other night noises. Participants may even spot deer or bats during the hike. This program is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration and payment due Friday, May 19, 2017
To register call or email Kayla Clark, (912) 598-3345 or kayla270@uga.edu

Horseshoe crab encounters
UGA Marine Education Center, Savannah
Sat. April 29, 8:30AM-12:30PM
Cost: $22

Travel by skiff to a barrier island and witness horseshoe crabs coming inshore to spawn.

Work alongside educators from the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium educators to take the measurements of the horseshoe crabs and observe the migratory shorebirds that rely on the horseshoe crab eggs for food. Ages 10 and up, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration and payment due April 21, 2017

Learn more here.

Register by phone or email by Fri. April 7. Contact Kayla Clark at (912) 598-3345 or kayla270@uga.edu

UGA Marine Education Center And Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah 31411

Fairy & Gnome Festival @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah

Sat. May 6 2017
10AM-2PM

Admission
Adults: $5
Children, seniors and military: $3
Children 3 & younger are free.
There will be additional fees for some of the activities in order to raise money for the center.

Bring the kids for a day of enchantment. This family-themed festival is all about the “wee folk” getting up close with the natural world and encouraging imaginative outdoor play.

Scavenger hunt, costume contest, crafts, and games. All ages are encouraged to participate in the annual gnome and fairy home building contest. Homes can be built at the festival by using natural materials from Oatland’s forest. Bring your whole family to stroll Oatland’s magical trails and maybe you will catch a glimpse of a fairy or gnome looking for a place to call home.

For more information please call 912-395-1517

Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, GA 31410

FREE REFUGE DISCOVERY DAY, March 10 2018

Discover YOUR National Wildlife Refuge in Savannah/Hardeeville.

Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a day of free, family fun at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Visitor Center on Saturday, March 10 2018, 10AM-3:30PM.

Discovery Day will be filled with fun, wildlife-related educational activities for all ages.

Have you ever wondered what a biologist, a wildland firefighter, an archaeologist, a forester or a refuge manager does on a National Wildlife Refuge? This is your chance to learn! Learn about wildland fire with hands-on activities involving real fire equipment; try your luck at target shooting with a bow while learning about our Refuge hunt programs; gain a better understanding of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s role in protecting endangered species; learn why water management matters to wildlife on Savannah National Wildlfie Refuge; get close up with a variety of reptiles, and much more.

All activities will be at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center located at 694 Beech Hill Lane Hardeeville, SC (off U.S. 17, approximately 7 miles north of Savannah, GA and 7 miles south of Hardeeville, SC).

For more information on this rain or shine event, call 843-784-2468.

Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex
694 Beech Hill Ln
Hardeeville, South Carolina 29927

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The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge hosts a preschoolers “Young Explorers Club” on the first Tuesday of each month.

The free, hour-long monthly program for 3-4 year-olds starts at 10AM on the first Tuesday of each month.  There will be story time, crafts, snacks, and take-home activities all about this month’s topic.

The programs are at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (694 Beech Hill Lane Hardeeville, SC 29927).

Each month, a different animal or method of conservation will be highlighted. Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 30387 have designed the monthly programs as their service project for completing the Bronze Award. The themes are:

February – Lady Bugs
March – Plants
April – Recycle
May – Baby Birds
June – Alligators
July – Sea Turtles
August – Spiders
September – Fish
October – Butterflies
November – Turkeys
December – Ducks

For more information, please contact Joel Vos at (843) 784-2468.

Learn more here.

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FOR MORE FREE FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Family Campfire Night 2017 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah.

Enjoy campfire fun including roasting marshmallows, drinking hot chocolate, storytelling & more., 6-8:30PM Sat. Jan. 7.

Pre-registration required. Call (912) 395-1212

Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, GA 31410

Hurricane Matthew may have closed down Savannah Halloween events @ Skidaway Is. State Park; cancelled the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival & Free Skidaway Marine Science Day along with ending more Fall fun, but the hurricane isn’t ending the annual Halloween Hike!

Although Oatland Island Wildlife Center remains closed during regular business hours because of Hurricane Matthew, the Halloween Hike – a beloved Savannah Fall tradition – is still on: Oct. 21-22 2016.

Oct. 21 & 22 , 2016 Friday and Saturday night, 5-8PM

This is a fun, safe, not-so-scary event for your little trick or treaters! Walk with your trickster down our friendly forest trail to meet & gather goodies from our friendly animal characters. Face painting, crafts, concessions & many more monstrous activities await your arrival. Comfortable walking shoes & costumes are encouraged. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission
Adult – $5
Children-$10
CASH ONLY
For more information please call (912) 395-1500

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

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FOR MORE FALL FAMILY FUN, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE. 

Harvest Festival and Cane Grinding 2016
Sat. Nov. 19, 2016
10AM-4PM

Cost

Adults:$7
Children:$5

Help Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah celebrate Georgia’s diverse agricultural traditions during this annual fundraising event.

Centered around our 1800’s Heritage Homesite, history comes alive with old-time music, cane boiling, butter-making, and cooking on the hearth and open fire.

See how “it was back then” amidst the sights, sounds and aroma of an old-fashioned fall gathering. Children young and old will enjoy hay rides, crafts and games, cane syrup, and other fun festival food that will tug at your senses as you venture back through history.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Road
Savannah, GA 31410
(912) 395-1212

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge’s second annual Halloween Bat Spooktacular

You’re invited to come and learn more about one of nature’s most iconic “spooky” & misunderstood animals, the bat.

This free, fun, family-friendly, educational event, celebrating Bat Week, will offer close-up experiences with rescued bats & plenty of “bat-tastic” activities, crafts plus a storytime with books about bats.

Drop in any time from 1-4PM Sat. Oct. 29
@ Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters
694 Beech Hill Lane, Hardeeville, SC 29927

Bat crafts, Bat activities, Bat prizes, LIVE BATS & a presentation celebrating these spooky, amazing, misunderstood creatures.

Schedule

* 1-4PM Crafts, Activities, Bat Story Time & Meet Live Bats.
* 3PM Keynote Presentation
* 3:45PM Q & A and Bat House Giveaway

Questions? Contact Education Coordinator Joel Vos at SavannahCoastalEducation@fws.gov, or 843-784-2468

One of our favorite Savannah kids’ Halloween events –  the Halloween Hike @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center , will be Oct. 21 & 22 2016.

If you’ve never taken your little trick-or-treaters to this non-scary Halloween event, make sure this is the year you do so!

Halloween Hike
Oct. 21 & 22, 2016
5PM-8PM (last hike leaves at 8PM)

CASH ONLY

Adults: $5
Children: $10

This is a fun, safe, not-so-scary fundraiser for your little trick or treaters! Walk with your trickster down our friendly forest trail to meet and gather goodies from our friendly animal characters. Let Mother Earth show you the way and sit with Mother Goose as she tells her favorite rhymes. There will be face painting, spooky crafts, and many more activities. Comfortable walking shoes and costumes are encouraged.

Concessions will be available before or after the hike.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

 Meet the new wolf pack puppies @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah.

The theme of the Aug. 9 Toddler Tuesday @ Oatland Island is wolf pups.

The Toddler Tuesday group will head over to the wolf wilderness and have a refreshing summertime treat some canine entertainment as they read a story about wolf puppies.

Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling 912-395-1517 or online at www.oatlandkids.wordpress.com. Register before 4pm the Monday before.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wildlife and education programs
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA, 31410
(912) 395-1212

Admission rates here.  

Learn more about the weekly Toddler Tuesday events here. 

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

Toddler Tuesday @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center is going back to 3 programs. Please sign up for one of the following: 9:45-10:15AM; 10:30-11AM; or 11:15-11:45AM. Same program each time, just more offerings so Oatland can let everyone in on the fun!

If you are new to the Savannah area or are a new parent, then you need to check out Toddler Tuesdays, a fun weekly program that celebrates nature @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410.

At Toddler Tuesday, children & their parents/caretakers experience nature through themed activities including live animal encounters, wildlife nature walks, storytelling, songs, interactive finger-play & crafts.

Oatland’s naturalist leads these exciting & educational sessions.

Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling 912-395-1517 or online at www.oatlandkids.wordpress.com. Register before 4:30pm the Monday before.

Problems with registration? Contact Ms. Michelle @ michelle.kelly@sccpss.com or 912-395-1517

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wildlife and education programs
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA, 31410
(912) 395-1212

Admission rates here.  

UPCOMING TODDLER TUESDAY THEMES  

Click on the link to register

March 24–A Vulture’s View

March 31–Frog on a Log in a Bog

April 7–3..2..1..Blast Off 

 April 14–National Dolphin Day!

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

The 2016 Child in Nature Symposium @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah will be Fri. April 8 & Sat. April, 9.

This event will include: a free teacher program; a free parent/community member program & a children’s program.

The second annual Child In Nature Symposium will be at Oatland Island Fri. April 8, 4PM-7PM &  Sat. April 9, 9AM-1PM.

The Symposium is a collaborative effort between Charles Ellis Montessori Academy and PTA, St. Andrew’s School, the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, & the Montessori Education Society of Savannah (MESS).

The focus of this year’s symposium is Recovery of a Nature Language.

Friday for teachers & educators

On Friday afternoon, sessions will be held for teachers and educators that focus on engaging children in nature.

Saturday for parents & children

On Saturday morning, Dr. Pat Pritchard from Wesleyan College will present a keynote address for parents, teachers, and community members, and then everyone is invited to participate in workshops on topics that include Savannah­ area outdoor resources, nature journaling, school garden curriculum, outdoor navigation with map and compass, and creative ways to engage your children with nature.

An exciting program for children will also be offered on Saturday, led by Oatland naturalist Michelle Kelly.

Click here for Teacher Program Information: Registration (Friday and Saturday): FREE!

Click here for Parent and Community Program Information:  Registration (Saturday): FREE!

Click here for Children’s Program Information: Registration (Saturday): $5 child/$10 family

More on the Saturday children’s program

Cost: $5/child or $10/family
Fees will be paid at Oatland Island on Saturday, April 9. Cash or Check

Have you even seen faces or shapes in the clouds? At this year’s Child in Nature Symposium our children will be hiking Oatland’s trails with Naturalist Michelle Kelly and will be looking for hidden faces in trees and then accentuate them by sculpting on the tree with air dry clay and natural objects found on site. The Jacks of the wood will be peeping through the forest after we have hiked through! We will end our hike at our new mud kitchen, located in the garden, and will whip up some imaginary recipes of hickory pies and acorn stews.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.