Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education's mission:

"To preserve the beauty of Fort Wayne's natural areas and parks; to promote outdoor recreation and education with classes and programs offered to the general public; provide events and programs designed to promote cultural enrichment."

Spring Programs

Check out the Current Fun Times or Register NOW to learn more about the Spring Fun!

Get excited about these Spring Programs!

Goat Yoga at Salomon Farm Park
Bunny Tales in the Garden at the Botanical Conservatory
Hikes at Lindenwood Nature Preserve

 Riverfront Fort Wayne is putting on great events such as:

Sunday Heritage Concerts
Kickboxing with 9Round
Yoga on the Riverfront
Dig Day
5k Virtual Challenge

Check out: Riverfront Fort Wayne for additional information.

Salomon Farm has a lot to offer this spring including:

Blacksmithing Workshops
Sheep Snuggles with the Valais Blacknose
Highland Cow Meet and Greet
Goat Yoga
Full Moon Night Hike

For more information regarding the Sheep & Cow Meet and Greets check out the new Sheep Snuggles & Highland Cow Meet & Greet Blog!

Photo credit: Chuck Milledge

Spring is perfect for a visit to Lindenwood Nature Preserve especially with events like these:

Spring Wildflower Hike
Mother's Day Picnic and Wildflower Hike
ACPL Storytime Hikes
Retiree Rambles
Stargazing Nights
Pond Study
All Bugs Go To Kevin
iNaturalist City Nature Challenge
INPS Native Plant Swap

To learn more about the three Stargazing Nights planned for spring be sure to check out the new Stargazing Nights Blog!

   

Join us on Facebook!

We created a new Facebook page just for the School Children's Flower and Vegetable Association program! Like our page today and learn more as the season progresses on growing vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and potted plants!

 Wild Walkers 2025

Wild Walkers is an adult hiking group that meets the second and fourth Fridays of each month for a walk on the wild side. Each hike features a different natural area in the region (parks, wetlands, nature preserve, etc.) and carpooling is available when necessary. Please call Eden at 427-6008 or e-mail eden.lamb@cityof fortwayne.org if you have questions. 

2025  Wild Walkers Schedule 

Lindenwood Field Trips & Outings 

Lindenwood Field Trips
600 Lindenwood Avenue 

Nature has so much to teach us and there’s no better way to learn than to experience it firsthand.  Check out the Lindenwood Nature Preserve Field Trips link for additional information.

Fishing Information

Before you head out to fish, check out the above resources to learn a bit more! 

Links to Nature Groups/Activities:

Rivergreenway
Botanical Conservatory
Franke Day Camp
ACRES
IDNR
Allen County Partnership for Water Quality
St. Joe River Watch Institute
Allen County Soil & Water Conservation District
Little River Wetlands Project
Environmental Education Association of Indiana
Trees Indiana
Mother Earth News 
School Children's Flower & Vegetable Association    

 
Flora & Fauna Brochures Available:

Birds
Mammals 
Reptiles & Amphibians
Spring Wildflowers
Summer Wildflowers
Trees

Franke Park
Sherman Blvd.
(260) 427-6725 (in season)
(260) 427-6000


Franke Park Day Camp 

Franke Park Day Camp, the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department’s longest running children’s program, has been a source of outdoor summer fun for area youth since 1946! With an emphasis on basic camping skills and nature education, Franke Park Day Camp seeks to foster cooperation through learning, playing, working, problem solving and socializing together.





Click here to register starting March 24, 2025 for Franke Park Day Camp!

PLEASE NOTE: Campers ages 4-12 are limited to one camp session. Registering for more than one camp session will result in cancellations of the additional session (s) and a refund less processing fees. 

Location
Franke Park Day Camp is located in Franke Park at 3411 Sherman Blvd. The parking lot is located between Pavilion #2 and the playground.

Ages
4-17 years (as of June 1, 2025)

For Advanced Campers check out the Registration & Schedule link to learn more!

Hours
M, T, W. Th, F        9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.





Financial assistance is available.

Please inquire about the Youth Scholarship Program at the time of registration. 




 

For additional information:

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, 260.427.6000

•  McMillen  Park  •   Boys & Girls Ages 7-17   

FREE TENNIS, GOLF AND SWIMMING LESSONS! 

2025 Dates: June 2^nd to July 18^th         


  

The Lifetime Sports Academy is open to boys and girls ages 7-17 and offers free group lessons in the lifetime sports of golf, tennis and swimming. The program operates Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Group lessons in golf, tennis and swimming will focus on skill development, training, and participation and will be taught by certified coaches and highly trained professionals and volunteers. Participants may come as often as they wish and stay as long as they like. The Fort Wayne Community Schools summer lunch program will also be available at McMillen Park for Academy participants. The Lifetime Sports Academy is funded by the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department and Lifetime Sports Academy Committee and is offered FREE to area youth. Media sponsor: 21 Alive.

Make sure to check out the Lifetime Sports Academy blog post to find out more about this awesome program!

To Register

Register NOW for the 2025 LSA!  

Please note, once you complete the Registration form you will not receive confirmation due to no maximum number of participants.  Simply show up with your children on opening day!  



 
Check out the LSA Brochure today!


Media Sponsor:

2025 Day Trips and Tours


Check out the NEW FW Parks Podcast: On the Road AGAIN with Mona Will, Travel Specialist!   

Spring Trips

Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan (May 6) (Deadline: April 24)

Cubs vs Reds @ Cincinnati (May 24) (Deadline: May 16)

Check out the Trips document to learn more about the Spring trips and then click on the trip of interest (above) to register.  See you soon!

Our Travel Specialist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has planned new and exciting Day Trips and more for 2025.  Check out the flier and come back back soon for additional information!  If you have any questions about the Day Trips, send Mona an e-mail.

Summer & Fall Trips

We are offering a number of trips this Summer & Fall!  All of the details will be in upcoming Fun Times!  If you are eager to look NOW, then go right ahead and click on the link of interest and learn more and also register if you wish!

MJ (Michael Jackson) The Musical
Soaring Eagle Resort, Spa & Casino (Check out the link for details and then CALL to reserve)
Field of Dreams Baseball Game Gateway (Check out the link for details and the CALL to reserve)
A Garden Walk or Hike and the Art of Bonsai

Genitti's Hole in the Wall Restaurant and Dinner Show

Saugatuck and Cruise on the Kalamazoo River

Shopping in the Windy City and Architecture Cruise

French Lick in the Cooler Season (Check out the link for details and then CALL to reserve)

Mackinac Island-The Grand Experience (Check out the link for details and then CALL to reserve)

Saugatuck Sidewalk Sales and Cruise

Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The Play the Goes Wrong-Brunch & Show

Pretzels, Popcorn, Pianos & Plants, O My!

Extended Travel Trips
We are offering Extended Travel Trips in 2024. If you have any questions, please e-mail  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Check out the FAQ's about Mayflower Trips and  the 2024/2025 North America Holidays Booking Conditions and book your trip TODAY!

Registration is now open for all four of these trips! Read below for more information on these once in a lifetime expirences!
                                                                                    

2025 Extended Tours

Black Hills to Badlands Brochure 

Black Hills to Badlands Reservation Form

Nova Scotia and Canada’s Maritimes Brochure 

Nova Scotia and Canada’s Maritimes Reservation Form

Sedona’s Red Rocks and The Grand Canyon Brochure

Sedona’s Red Rocks and The Grand Canyon Reservation Form

pend four nights in Sedona, at the heart of Red Rock Cou

Greece Brochure

Greece Reservation Form


2026 Extended Travel Destinations


Baja California Cruise Brochure
Reservation Form

Classic Italy by Rail Brochure
Reservation Form

Best of Portugal Brochure
Reservation Form

National Parks of the Southwest Brochure
Reservation Form

From the Red Rocks to the Rockies Brochure
Reservation Form

Best of Scandinavia Brochure
Reservation Form

Pride of Poland Brochure
Reservation Form

Albuquerque Balloon Festival Brochure
Reservation Form