Killens Pond Nature Center

Killens Pond Nature Center


Killens Pond Nature Center

Visitors to the park’s nature center experience live animal exhibits featuring native reptiles and amphibians. The Pileated Woodpecker, Prothonotary Warbler and Barred Owl can often be heard in the woods at the park - explore the surrounding wooded trails along the pond's edge or simply take in the sights and sounds from the covered deck. This facility is also available for special event rentals.


Upcoming Events

Discovery Hikes

Saturday, December 9, 2023

11:00 AM

Take a hike and explore! Join us as we experience nature hands, eyes and ears-on. Discovery Hikes are geared for children ages 5-10 with an adult. Dress ready to explore. Pre-registration required. Meeting location varies. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.

Add to Calendar 12/9/2023 11:00:00 AM 12/9/2023 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Discovery Hikes Take a hike and explore! Join us as we experience nature hands, eyes and ears-on. Discovery Hikes are geared for children ages 5-10 with an adult. Dress ready to explore. Pre-registration required. Meeting location varies. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free with paid park entry. Killens Pond

Tales and Trails: Animals in the Snow

Saturday, December 16, 2023

11:00 AM

Who goes there?! Discover with us the signs and tracks animals leave behind in the winter landscape! Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory, and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3-6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child

Register Online

Add to Calendar 12/16/2023 11:00:00 AM 12/16/2023 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Tales and Trails: Animals in the Snow Who goes there?! Discover with us the signs and tracks animals leave behind in the winter landscape! Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory, and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3-6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child Killens Pond

Floral Design Class Fundraiser Hosted by the Friends of Killens Pond

Saturday, December 16, 2023

11:00 AM

Are you ready for Christmas? Looking for one more unique winter piece to complete your décor? Join us to create a centerpiece for your holiday table! Local Master Gardener and floral designer Wendy Aycoth will walk the class through the process of creating their own centerpiece step-by-step. Please bring a container or vase of your choice. All other materials necessary to make a beautiful center piece will be provided - greens, flowers, ribbons, and pinecones! You may also bring additional decorations from home to make your design extra unique! Program meets in the Killens Pond Nature Center classroom. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information. $40/centerpiece.

Add to Calendar 12/16/2023 11:00:00 AM 12/16/2023 1:00:00 PM America/New_York Floral Design Class Fundraiser Hosted by the Friends of Killens Pond Are you ready for Christmas? Looking for one more unique winter piece to complete your décor? Join us to create a centerpiece for your holiday table! Local Master Gardener and floral designer Wendy Aycoth will walk the class through the process of creating their own centerpiece step-by-step. Please bring a container or vase of your choice. All other materials necessary to make a beautiful center piece will be provided - greens, flowers, ribbons, and pinecones! You may also bring additional decorations from home to make your design extra unique! Program meets in the Killens Pond Nature Center classroom. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information. $40/centerpiece. Killens Pond

Forever Green: Evergreen Hike

Saturday, December 16, 2023

1:00 PM

Winter is not the best time for most trees, but some stay green all winter! Join nature center staff to find out why evergreen trees are 'forever green' and hike part of the pondside trail to see what type of evergreens are here. Program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DRNEC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free!

Add to Calendar 12/16/2023 1:00:00 PM 12/16/2023 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Forever Green: Evergreen Hike Winter is not the best time for most trees, but some stay green all winter! Join nature center staff to find out why evergreen trees are 'forever green' and hike part of the pondside trail to see what type of evergreens are here. Program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DRNEC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free! Killens Pond

Eco-explorers: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

1:00 PM

Did you know that each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, and 7,000 gallons of water?! Learn all about recycling, why it matters, and how you can help the Earth along with naturalists in this Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student

Register Online

Add to Calendar 12/19/2023 1:00:00 PM 12/19/2023 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Eco-explorers: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Did you know that each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, and 7,000 gallons of water?! Learn all about recycling, why it matters, and how you can help the Earth along with naturalists in this Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student Killens Pond

Winter Hiking Series #1

Saturday, January 13, 2024

1:00 PM

Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 0.5 mile long and will begin at the sports complex parking lot. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free.

Add to Calendar 1/13/2024 1:00:00 PM 1/13/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Winter Hiking Series #1 Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 0.5 mile long and will begin at the sports complex parking lot. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free. Killens Pond

Eco-Explorers: Ecosystem Engineers

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

1:00 PM

What do beavers, gopher tortoises, and woodpeckers all have in common? They are all ecosystem engineers! Explore how certain animals shape the environment in big ways in our 'Ecosystem Engineers' program. Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 1/16/2024 1:00:00 PM 1/16/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Eco-Explorers: Ecosystem Engineers What do beavers, gopher tortoises, and woodpeckers all have in common? They are all ecosystem engineers! Explore how certain animals shape the environment in big ways in our 'Ecosystem Engineers' program. Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student. Killens Pond

Tales and Trails: Hide N' Seek

Saturday, January 20, 2024

11:00 AM

Peekaboo!! Discover how animals can hide so well in their homes through a story and play! Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory, and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3-6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child

Register Online

Add to Calendar 1/20/2024 11:00:00 AM 1/20/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Tales and Trails: Hide N' Seek Peekaboo!! Discover how animals can hide so well in their homes through a story and play! Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory, and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3-6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child Killens Pond

Paint by Day Fundraiser Hosted by the Friends of Killens Pond

Saturday, January 20, 2024

1:00 PM

Help the Friends of Killens Pond State Park raise money and have fun doing it! We will be exploring watercolor and alcohol paints with local artist Jennifer Boland. We will be painting a snowy cottage scene. All materials will be provided. All experience and skill levels encouraged. Program will meet at the nature center and will last about 2 hours. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information. $40/painter.

Add to Calendar 1/20/2024 1:00:00 PM 1/20/2024 3:00:00 PM America/New_York Paint by Day Fundraiser Hosted by the Friends of Killens Pond Help the Friends of Killens Pond State Park raise money and have fun doing it! We will be exploring watercolor and alcohol paints with local artist Jennifer Boland. We will be painting a snowy cottage scene. All materials will be provided. All experience and skill levels encouraged. Program will meet at the nature center and will last about 2 hours. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information. $40/painter. Killens Pond

Winter Hiking Series #2

Saturday, January 27, 2024

1:00 PM

Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 0.8 mile long and will begin at the sports complex parking lot. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free.

Add to Calendar 1/27/2024 1:00:00 PM 1/27/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Winter Hiking Series #2 Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 0.8 mile long and will begin at the sports complex parking lot. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free. Killens Pond

Terrific Tracks and Traces

Saturday, February 3, 2024

1:00 PM

Animals leave many signs that they are around even when you can’t see them. You just have to know how to decipher them. Come find out which animals leave certain tracks and what other signs they may leave. Program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DRNEC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free.

Add to Calendar 2/3/2024 1:00:00 PM 2/3/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Terrific Tracks and Traces Animals leave many signs that they are around even when you can’t see them. You just have to know how to decipher them. Come find out which animals leave certain tracks and what other signs they may leave. Program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DRNEC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free. Killens Pond

Winter Hiking Series #3

Saturday, February 10, 2024

1:00 PM

Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 1.3 miles long and will begin at the nature center. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free.

Add to Calendar 2/10/2024 1:00:00 PM 2/10/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Winter Hiking Series #3 Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 1.3 miles long and will begin at the nature center. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free. Killens Pond

Tales and Trails: Beautiful Birds

Saturday, February 17, 2024

11:00 AM

Birds are beautiful and unique just like us! Discover the diversity of birds through a story and hands-on exploration. Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory, and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3-6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child

Register Online

Add to Calendar 2/17/2024 11:00:00 AM 2/17/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Tales and Trails: Beautiful Birds Birds are beautiful and unique just like us! Discover the diversity of birds through a story and hands-on exploration. Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory, and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3-6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child Killens Pond

Eco-Explorers: Odd Couples

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

1:00 PM

Have you ever wondered about the relationship between living things? Think of bees and flowers or deer and ticks. Animals and plants that live in the same place often interact with each other. These interactions can help each other, harm each other, or be a mixture of the two. Join naturalists to discover the different types of ecological interaction in this program! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student

Register Online

Add to Calendar 2/20/2024 1:00:00 PM 2/20/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Eco-Explorers: Odd Couples Have you ever wondered about the relationship between living things? Think of bees and flowers or deer and ticks. Animals and plants that live in the same place often interact with each other. These interactions can help each other, harm each other, or be a mixture of the two. Join naturalists to discover the different types of ecological interaction in this program! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student Killens Pond

Winter Hiking Series #4

Saturday, February 24, 2024

1:00 PM

Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 1.6 miles long and will begin at the campground overflow parking low (3015 Paradise Alley Road, Harrington DE 19952). Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free.

Add to Calendar 2/24/2024 1:00:00 PM 2/24/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Winter Hiking Series #4 Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 1.6 miles long and will begin at the campground overflow parking low (3015 Paradise Alley Road, Harrington DE 19952). Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free. Killens Pond

Something Fishy: Fish Dissection

Saturday, March 2, 2024

1:00 PM

We will be getting a hands-on look at the external and internal anatomy of a fish to see what makes them so special. Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory. Ages 8+. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $10 per fish dissection.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 3/2/2024 1:00:00 PM 3/2/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Something Fishy: Fish Dissection We will be getting a hands-on look at the external and internal anatomy of a fish to see what makes them so special. Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory. Ages 8+. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $10 per fish dissection. Killens Pond

Winter Hiking Series #5

Saturday, March 9, 2024

1:00 PM

Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 2.5 miles long and will begin at the nature center. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free with paid park entry.

Add to Calendar 3/9/2024 1:00:00 PM 3/9/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Winter Hiking Series #5 Stay motivated to get outside and hike this winter! Join a naturalist twice a month on a group hike at Killens Pond State Park. Hikes will begin short and get progressively longer as the year goes on (0.5 - 3.1 miles). This week's hike will be 2.5 miles long and will begin at the nature center. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free with paid park entry. Killens Pond

Tales and Trails: Wonderful Wiggling Worms

Saturday, March 16, 2024

11:00 AM

Get your little one excited about spring with storytime and a hands-on experience with worms! Program will be held at the nature center. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3 -6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 3/16/2024 11:00:00 AM 3/16/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Tales and Trails: Wonderful Wiggling Worms Get your little one excited about spring with storytime and a hands-on experience with worms! Program will be held at the nature center. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3 -6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child. Killens Pond

Eco-Explorers: What's Cooking

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

1:00 PM

Order up! Do you think a fish and a fox are going to eat the same things? What about a vulture and a rabbit? Learn all about what animals eat in this program, and what makes a turtle meal different from a snake meal! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student

Register Online

Add to Calendar 3/19/2024 1:00:00 PM 3/19/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Eco-Explorers: What's Cooking Order up! Do you think a fish and a fox are going to eat the same things? What about a vulture and a rabbit? Learn all about what animals eat in this program, and what makes a turtle meal different from a snake meal! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory for all homeschool programs. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student Killens Pond

First Hike of Spring!

Saturday, March 23, 2024

1:00 PM

We made it to spring! Join naturalists for the final hike of the winter hiking series... on our first hike of spring! This week's hike will be 3.1 miles long and will begin at sports complex parking lot. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free with paid park entry.

Add to Calendar 3/23/2024 1:00:00 PM 3/23/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York First Hike of Spring! We made it to spring! Join naturalists for the final hike of the winter hiking series... on our first hike of spring! This week's hike will be 3.1 miles long and will begin at sports complex parking lot. Dogs on leash welcome. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to pre-register and for more information. Free with paid park entry. Killens Pond