While formal schools around Louisville are back in session, that doesn’t mean the learning stops here at The Parklands! Opportunities abound for outdoor learning throughout the fall season including Wednesday Wonders, Junior Explorer, and Parklands Member hikes!

Ever wondered what an invasive species is? Or how an owl hunts? Or if dragonflies breathe fire? If so, our weekly Wednesday Wonders program has your answers. Wednesday Wonders are interactive programs designed to spark the curiosity of young children. Each week, we will explore a new science wonder with a story, craft, hike or related science experiment. Programs occur twice every Wednesday throughout the year; once at 10:30am at the Ben Stout House in Turkey Run Park and once at 2:30pm in the PNC Achievement Center in Beckley Creek Park. Monthly activities are FREE to Members (but please RSVP) and $5 for non-members (children and adults). Register at www.theparklands.org/events. 

Don’t have time to wonder on Wednesdays? The Parklands Junior Explorer program is great for families on the go and Parklands weekend warriors. The Parklands newest Outdoor Classroom program is perfect for kids ages 5-12 (or kids at heart), teaching science and an appreciation for the natural world, while encouraging kids to get outdoors and active! To participate in the program, kids print out the Junior Explorer guidebook to complete at their own pace. Once completed, kids can take their guidebook to the PNC Achievement Center for Education & Interpretation in Beckley Creek Park where a Parklands Interpretive Ranger will check their answers, swear them in as a Parklands Explorer and provide them with a special award. Once sworn in, Junior Explorers are invited to join monthly educational adventures in the Outdoor Classroom! Monthly activities are FREE to Members (but please RSVP) and $5 for non-members (children and adults). Register at www.theparklands.org/events.

For those of you who are Parklands members, we thank you! We could not operate a world-class DONOR SUPPORTED urban park system without you! And if you love the parks as much as we do you’ll want to learn more about them. Monthly membership hikes and events allow Parklands members to delve deeper into the natural and cultural history of our parks while making new friends and getting some exercise. Membership hikes can cover everything from tree and wildflower identification, geology, mycology, and much more! To find out more about how to become a Parklands member visit http://www.theparklands.org/become-a-member.html. For a full list of membership hikes and events visit our events page.

With so many opportunities to learn and explore this fall we encourage you to come out to The Parklands of Floyds Fork and immerse yourself in your local landscape and pick up some knowledge along the way!

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About the Author

As Director of Education, Curtis Carman oversees The Parklands Outdoor Classroom, promoting STEAM-based education through engaging, hands-on learning both outdoors and inside the classroom. Each year, his team of Education Specialists, Interpretive Rangers and Camp Counselors guide nearly 20,000 participants of all ages through school field trips, camps, Parklands Explorer, Junior Explorer and Wednesday Wonders. Prior to his promotion to Education Director in May of 2018, Curtis first joined The Parklands team as an Interpretive Ranger and led the department as Education Coordinator for three years. A native of Louisville and a graduate of Ballard High School, Curtis returned to his hometown after having worked as an environmental educator in Maine and Colorado at Acadia and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Curtis also served as Membership Manager at the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Curtis enjoys hiking, biking, camping and kayaking.