Pre-K Explorers 2025-2026
2026-02-05 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Pre-K Explorers
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.
https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/event/pre-k-explorers/3108983
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 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
2026-02-05 08:30 - 10:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
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 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

Guided Bird Walks
2026-02-08 08:00 - 09:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
ONGOING | Select Sundays 8-9:30 AM | Nature Center
Sunday, February 8*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. The first walk of each month begins on our ADA accessible boardwalk and moves to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. For all hikes, meet in the Nature Center parking lot. Binoculars are available to borrow. Snow or shine, though the walks will be canceled in the event of severe storms.
*The second walk of each month is fully accessible and includes an ASL interpreter.
Free. Donations welcome! Registration required. https://www.shakerlakes.org/birding-programs/
REGISTER:
February 8 | https://givebutter.com/bird-walk-2-8-26

Naturalist Notebook
2026-02-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, OH, 44120
Naturalist Notebook: Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape
February 15, 2026 | 1-3pm | Loganberry Books
Join the Nature Center and Loganberry Books as we discuss Lauret Savoy’s award-winning memoir, Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape. Lauret Savoy is a professor of Environmental Studies and Geology at Mount Holyoke and, through the lens of her own multiracial heritage, she brings together the layers of place and history that impact us all in as many ways as the rocks hidden beneath our feet.
REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/naturalist-notebook-2-15-26

Pancake Breakfast
2026-02-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS | Saturday, Feb 21 | 8 AM-12 PM
Join the Nature Center and the Rotary Club of the Heights of Greater Cleveland for a homemade pancake breakfast with the birds! Learn about the habits and habitats of birds, enjoy a craft at the front desk, take a guided nature hike and meet live birds. Gluten free options available. Advance tickets: Children under 3 are free. Children ages 4–10 are $7 ($5 members). Adults 11+ are $13 ($10 members). Tickets on sale December 1.
Registration link: https://givebutter.com/pancake-breakfast-2026

Winter Hike with GirlTREK
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Saturday, February 28 | 10:00AM-11:00AM
Join Jo Rattiliff of GirlTREK Cleveland for our monthly hike!
GirlTREK is a global organization that is made up of over a million Black women united by a movement for health justice and whose mission is “to increase the life expectancy of Black women by 10 years in 10 years.” We invite you to bundle up, get active, and appreciate the beauty of nature on these crisp, calm, and quiet winter mornings. The trail will be of natural surfaces (paved and dirt trails) and sidewalks. In the case of inclement weather, the hike will be cancelled, and an email will be sent to registrants. Registration required. Free. Donations welcome.
REGISTRATION:
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-2-28-26

Starry Night Pajama Party
2026-02-28 16:00 - 18:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
JUNIOR NATURALIST
STARRY NIGHT PAJAMA PARTY
Saturday, February 28 | 4-6 PM
Join the Nature Center and Terri Stefanko from Light the Wild for a star-studded story time and pajama party! Kids will cozy up with hot cocoa and popcorn as they read from A Friend Made of Stars and craft their own star friend. Best for children aged 5-10. Registration required. $15 per child under 13, $10 for members, adults free.
Registration link: https://givebutter.com/pajama-party-2026

Upcycle and Repurpose Workshop: Make Your Own Scrubbers
2026-03-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Friday, March 6 @ 6 PM
Help protect our environment by learning to reuse everyday household items! Karen Ault will be leading this tutorial workshop to share how to make dishwashing scrubbers out of recycled orange and onion plastic mesh bags. Registrants are encouraged to bring their own bags, though one will be provided to start.
All ages welcome. Registration required. $12 for non-members, $10 for members.
Members can use code WINTERMEM2026 for $2 off after inputting their member ID. Reach out to Cara Anderson at cara@shakerlakes.org if you need help finding your ID number.
REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/diy-scrubber-workshop-3-6-26

Historic Homes Tour
2026-04-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
More details coming soon!

Annual Plant Sale
2026-05-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
SAVE THE DATE! More information coming soon. Saturday, May 9, 2026

Nature at Night: Moonbeam
2026-05-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Nature at Night: Moonbeam – Saturday, May 30, 2026

Hike & Run
2026-09-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Hike & Run – Sunday, September 13, 2026

AutumnFest
2026-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
AutumnFest – Saturday, September 26, 2026

Luminary Walk
2026-12-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
