Youth Programs

Animal Science (5Y+)

Have you ever wondered how an animal’s adaptions help them survive, find their food or make their home? Students will help create puzzles for our Wildlife Ambassadors to solve, test their sense of smell, and more.
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Bark Ranger (15Y+)

Bring your furry four-legged friend to our new Bark Ranger class. We will talk about trail safety and etiquette for pets, create a memory keepsake, and hike around Oliver Nature Park. After completing the class, your pet will receive a certificate, honorary Bark Ranger dog tag, and collapsible food bowl with treats. Dogs must be on a leash. 1 dog per registered person. Current rabies certificate required. Don’t have a dog? You can participate with a shelter dog!  
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Children’s Gardening (5Y+)

Join us for a children’s gardening class where children will learn about seeds, soil, and plant a mini garden to take home and watch grow! Children will also dissect seeds during class to learn about the inner seed structures.
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Family Nature Club (5-14Y)

Join us each week for an exciting morning learning about nature. We will go for a hike, catch and ID insects, meet live animals, go bird watching, and more! Only children need to register for this class, parents are just along for the fun!
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Freshwater Ecology (5-14Y)

Streams and ponds provide habitat for a wide variety of interesting organisms. Students will learn about the different types of freshwater ecosystems and how the inhabitants of these bodies of water interact with each other. Live animals will help us learn about freshwater habitats right here in Texas! We hope students will have a newfound interest in these very intricate ecosystems and be inspired to do their part to keep these areas clean and healthy.
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Great Backyard Bird Count (All Ages) 

Join us at Oliver Nature Park to participate in Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society Great Backyard Bird Count. Families will count the birds at Oliver Nature Park to help the citizen-science project of collecting data on wild birds. Activities will include games, crafts, bird feeder making, live animals, and nature walks. Pre-registration is not required for this program FREE program.
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Hike with a Naturalist (All Ages)

Come enjoy Oliver Nature Park and learn about the wonders of nature on a guided hike with a Naturalist! Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. All participants over 2 years of age must pre-register. Each child/family must have at least one adult attending and registered for the program. We encourage nature walks for the whole family!
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Life Under Our Feet (5Y+)

Join us to learn about what lives under our feet. We will explore through hands-on activities investigating our worlds decomposers.
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Nature Crafts (All Ages)

Let nature be your inspiration. Each class makes three, unique art projects.
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Nature at Night (All Ages)

Join us for an exciting evening exploring nature at night. There will be many activities taking place including games, crafts, owl pellet dissection, glow-in-the-dark geology, making s’mores by the campfire, live animals, storytellers, and night hikes with a naturalist. We will identify some of the sounds and sights of natural night life!
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Stargazing with Astronomers (All Ages) 

Come and explore the night skies with astronomers from the Fort Worth Astronomical Society. Learn about the constellations and planets as you examine the skies with high-powered telescopes. Registration is not required for this FREE program.
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Terrarium Workshops (5Y+)

Come create your own mini ecosystem using succulents. The theme for this workshop will vary each class.
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Wild About Nature (2Y+)

Participants will learn about the local wildlife living in Oliver Nature Park. Get an up-close look at animal specimens and meet our Wildlife Ambassadors. Registration fee covers one adult and one child.
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Wildlife CSI (5-14Y)

 your wildlife knowledge to help us crack the case! We will be analyzing wildlife crime scenes to gather clues and evidence, so that we can identify who or what was the perpetrator.
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Archery Alliance (5Y+)

Become a skilled archer with this series of classes with a USA Archery certified instructor. All equipment is provided. This class meets at McClendon Park West.
Upcoming session dates

Campfire Cookout (All Ages) 

Enjoy a beautiful autumn evening with your family next to the fire while roasting marshmallows and hot dogs at Rose Park. Includes games, crafts and a fire building demonstration.
Upcoming session dates

Evening by the Campfire (All Ages)

 Revel in a leap day evening by a roaring fire where you can roast some marshmallows and relax. We’ll be making s’mores by the campfire, stargazing, and listen to the stories behind the common constellations. Bring a camp or folding chair. This event takes place at Rose Park.
Upcoming session dates

Family Camping Trip (all ages)

This is a one-night workshop (10 a.m. Saturday - 11 a.m. Sunday) where each family (up to four people) gets a campsite with nearby restrooms, use of a tent, s’more supplies and a campfire. Enjoy activities such as hiking and fishing during the camping trip. Have the supplies but want to participate in the group activities? Register for BYO session and save.
Upcoming session dates

Family City Campout (All Ages)

Let’s go camping! Bring your family to a community-wide campout at McClendon Park East that includes a space to pitch your tent, guided nature walks, nocturnal animal lessons, dinner and an interactive scavenger hunt.
Upcoming session dates

Intro to Archery (5Y+)

Take aim at a new hobby! This class is designed for beginning archers to learn the basics and techniques with a USA Archery certified instructor. Archery teaches respect for nature and builds confidence through practice. Bows and arrows are provided. This class meets at McClendon Park West.
Upcoming session dates

Intro to Fishing (3-16Y)

Ready to cast your bait and reel in the big fish, but not sure how or where to start? Join us for beginning fishing classes. We supply the equipment and bait. This class is for junior anglers ages 3-16. (16Y+ must have a valid Texas fishing license to fish in Mansfield parks.)
Upcoming session dates

Intro to Trout Fishing (5-16Y)

Catch a rainbow trout with us, learn about bait and lures specific to trout and what makes a good trout habitat. We supply equipment and bait. (16Y+ must have a valid Texas fishing license to fish in Mansfield parks.)
Upcoming session dates

Junior Angler (5-16Y)

Junior Angler classes provide activities that introduce kids to the life-long sport of fishing. Classes follow a hands-on format to teach basic fishing knowledge and skills, promote ethical behavior regarding fishing and aquatic habitats and encourage junior anglers to get outdoors and go fishing.
Upcoming session dates

Kayaking 101 (7Y+)

Take a break from the hiking trails and get on the water. We will go out in dual-seated kayaks to explore our local lakes. Participants will enjoy a scenic paddle looking for wildlife and plants with a naturalist. We will also instruct on safety, proper techniques, and a eco-friendly approach to paddle sports. Each child ages 7-17 must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.
Upcoming session dates

Nite Bite (3-16Y)

Night time is feeding time for the lunkers, so come join us for an evening of fishing! Since we will be targeting catfish mostly, we will be teaching some different rigging techniques for that style of angling. We supply the equipment and bait!
Upcoming session dates

Take Me on an Adventure (5-12Y)

Kids get to have all the fun. Well not anymore! Have an outdoor adventure with your little one, learn some outdoor skills, and enjoy nature all at the same time.
Upcoming session dates

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors.  Oliver Nature Park offers summer camp for students ages 5-14 years of age.  

Animal Science Camp (5-8Y)

Have you ever wondered how adaptations help animals survive, find their food, or make their homes? Let’s study and observe the native wildlife that lives in our park. Students will meet with our Wildlife Ambassadors to learn first-hand about animal behavior and how animals use their senses to survive. Each day, we will spotlight a different animal and their habitat.
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Adventure Camp (7-12Y)

Have an outdoor adventure close to home this summer! Learn about camping, fishing, archery, hiking, and more. Participants in Adventure Camp also get a special discount code to continue their adventure in our Summer Kayaking Tour! The camp is held at Oliver Nature Park, and our archery day is held at McClendon Park West.
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Nature's Artists Camp (7-12Y)

Let nature be your inspiration! Crafts include making paper, paintbrushes, animals from natural materials, and much more! We’ll learn where our materials come from, why each material is important to our surroundings, and what materials we would not want to use from the forest.
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Growing up WILD Camp (5-8Y)

Growing up in the city can be more WILD than you think. Explore the plants, animals and natural environment around them right here in Mansfield. From worms and snails underground to beautiful plants growing in the prairie and birds flying high above the treetops. Get an up close look at nature with hands-on exploration, nature hikes, live animals, and more.
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