WAYNESBORO, PA – Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute, is offering a new fall EXPLORE! programseries timed for after school.

Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the programs will run on Tuesdays: Oct. 21 and 28, from 4–5 p.m. at Buttonwood Nature Center in Waynesboro, Pa. 

Participants may register for any or all sessions.

EXPLORE! programs are sponsored by Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund Contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; Marge Kiersz; APX Enclosures; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin.

All program activities are outside. Taught by Buttonwood educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season. 

October 21: There’s FUN in Fungus

Participants will explore the hidden world of fungus during this program with the opportunity to get up close and personal with mushrooms under a microscope. The group will also enjoy a hike through the woods and complete their very own mushroom craft.

October 28: A Peek Inside a Pumpkin

This program offers “hands-in-pumpkin” experience learning all about the life cycle of a pumpkin. Participants will have a chance to harvest their own pumpkin seeds and paint their own pumpkin to take home.

Pre-registration and payment in advance is required. Register for any or all of the individual sessions. The fee is $6 for Buttonwood Nature Center/Institute members and $7 for the general public, per child, per program. Limit: 15 children per program. 

Register online at Buttonwood Nature Center or For more information, email Buttonwood at [email protected] or call 717-762-0373.