AutumnFest
2026-09-26 15:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
AutumnFest: Harvest Moon
A 60th Anniversary Celebration | Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 3-7PM
IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY!
Join us beneath the Harvest Moon as we celebrate 60 years of connecting people with nature. Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with festive fall traditions, birthday surprises, moonlit adventures, music, food and activities for all ages.
Any and all costumes encouraged: Dress celestial or 60’s inspired to help us celebrate!
A 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION | SATURDAY 9.26 | 3–7PM
HARVEST TABLE*
• Food Trucks
• Donuts
• Fritters
• Cider
• Hot Cocoa Fireside
• Toasted Moon (S’mores)
Bring a birthday card for the Nature Center
with your special message and receive 6 free
activity tickets. Enter our 60th Anniversary
Birthday Cake Decorating Contest.
Learn more:
TICKETED ACTIVITIES*
• Harvest Pumpkin Painting
• Little Lunar Builders Corner
• Reach For the Moon: Tree Climbing
• Spin the Moon Prize Wheel
HARVEST TABLE*
• Food Trucks
• Donuts
• Fritters
• Cider
• Hot Cocoa Fireside
• Toasted Moon (S’mores)
ADULTS ONLY GAZEBO
LUNAR LOUNGE
• Moonrise Tavern* & Acoustic Music Lounge
with Charlie Mosbrook (bring a chair)
FREE ACTIVITIES
• Share a Birthday Wish on the Wish Wall
• Moonlight Music & Games with DJ
• Moon Dust Play Zone: Bubbles & Sidewalk Chalk
• Wish Makers Wand Craft with Shaker Library
• Moon (seed) Pods with NEORSD
• Meet Luna the Wish Fairy
• Nature Center Birthday Photo Booth
• Birthday Trivia and Raffles
• & MORE

Cake Decorating Contest
2026-09-26 15:00 - 19:00
Celebrate our 60th Anniversary with us by decorating a cake for display and judging at our annual AutumnFest event. Cakes to be decorated at home and dropped off prior to the event.

Fill out the form below to enter for the Nature Center’s 60th Anniversary cake decorating contest on Saturday, September 26th. Cakes can be delivered to the Nature Center between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday, September 26 and must be able to be at room temp from drop off until 7 pm. Cakes will be raffled off with proceeds supporting the Nature Center. Bakers are encouraged to decorate around themes of celebrating nature, 60 years, and the moon/space. All who participate will receive 20 free activity tickets for use at AutumnFest and winners in each category will receive a 60th anniversary gift basket and a $20 gift card. All ages and abilities welcome. When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.

SIGN UP

Luminary Walk
2026-12-18 08:00 - 17:00

Pre-K Explorers
2027-04-15 08:30 - 10:30
Pre-K Explorers
Pre-K Explorers is for children ages 3.5-5. Explorers meets once a week on Thursday mornings from 8:30-10:30am. Register for one or multiple semesters. $595/semester. $50 member discount. Use code Explore50. Register for one or multiple semesters. Each semester includes 12 classes.
2026 Fall Semester: 9/17/26-11/19/26
2027 Spring Semester: 2/4/27-4/15/27 (no class on 4/1/27)
Members – Use code, “Explore50” to receive $50 off EACH semester you register for.
REGISTER: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/event/pre-k-explorers/3108983
Children must be fully bathroom independent.

Calling all families with young explorers!
Register your 3.5-5 year old in Pre-K Explorers. This once-a-week program adds outdoor exploration to your existing childcare or preschool routine. It can also be used to give your young explorer practice with classroom behaviors before starting a formal Pre-K program.
Each, 12-week, semester provides weekly opportunities for your Pre-K Explorer to engage with age-appropriate content through observation, exploration, and play. They might look for different colors on a nature hike, count acorns in the forest, or compare the size of different leaves before heading inside to model their own creation based on the day’s theme. Our educators create safe spaces where children become comfortable asking questions, sharing their ideas with others, and trying new things.
The group of students and the lead NCSL educator are consistent throughout the entire semester, allowing your Pre-K explorer to practice the soft skills needed for any group environment.

Q: Does NCSL offer a licensed Nature Preschool program?
A: No. The Pre-K Explorers Program meets too infrequently to qualify for the registration process through the state of Ohio. However, we do have a state and ACA certified day camp we run each summer and apply those same safety standards and educator expectations.
See our Family Starter Guide for more details on program procedures.

Q: What will my Pre-K Explorer learn?
A: Each week offers a different nature theme like bugs, birds, or the night sky. While the activities, games or stories will be anchored to the theme, student outcome goals center on the Ohio Department of Education’s standards for building inquiry skills and social emotional learning. Your Pre-K explorer will be making observations, communicating ideas, and practicing working with others.
See our Family Starter Guide for more details on program goals.
Q: What can we expect for weekly logistics?
A: Each week has a unique theme, but the structure of the day and the people in the group stay consistent from week to week.
Sample Schedule:

8:30am: Arrive

8:30-9:00: Free Play

9:00-9:15 Circle Time

9:15-9:30 Animal Share or Game

9:30-10:15 Outdoor Exploration/Hike

10:15 -10:30 – Craft or Experiment

See our Family Starter Guide for more details on program logistics.
Still have Questions?
No problem! Please reach out to our Director of Education, Erica Prange. She can answer your logistic questions or connect you with the lead educator for the semester you’re interested in.
Contact Erica by email at prange@shakerlakes.org or phone 216.321.5935 ext.243
Ready to Register?
Pre-K Explorers is for children ages 3.5-5. We meet once a week on Thursday mornings from 8:30am-10:30am. Children must be fully bathroom independent.
Register for one or multiple semesters. Each semester includes 12 classes.
2026 Spring Semester: 2/5/26-4/30/26 (no class on 4/9/26)
2026 Fall Semester: 9/17/26-12/10/26 (no class on 11/26/26)
2027 Spring Semester: 2/4/27-4/29/27 (no class on 4/1/27)
Members – Use code, “Explore50” to receive $50 off EACH semester you register for.
REGISTER: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/event/pre-k-explorers/3108983

Pre-K Explorers Family Guide_2026
