Connecting the community with unique park experiences and the greater outdoors, the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) provides innumerable resources for learning and discovering Ohio’s impact on the past. While community members can learn about their environment by exploring any of the Park District’s 51 locations, another way the CWPD staff work to share insights into the unique makeup of the community’s BIG backyard is through school visits.
“CWPD has always presented in-class lessons and hosted field trips for schools in the city and township as long as we have had educators on staff,” said Katy Lucas, CWPD Outdoor Education Supervisor.
Every year, schools throughout Centerville and Washington Township can select from a list of educational topics to share the work and resources of the CWPD with their classrooms. Experienced staff and volunteers can then bring the lessons from the outdoors, inside and to the students’ desks. A popular program offered by the CWPD is “Fossils Rock” for students in the second and fourth grades.
The program highlights the fossils found in southwest Ohio – home of the oldest exposed bedrock in the state. Explorers walking the trails in Grant or Bill Yeck Parks may discover several species of fossils buried within sedimentary rock from millions of years ago. Through hands-on exploration in this program, including simulating fossil creation and identifying different species, students can discover how these formations from the past connect to living relatives of today.
“We believe that a connection to and knowledge of the natural world will help future generations understand the value of parks and nature preserves,” said Lucas.
The program’s curriculum was developed with the input of educators, and its intention is to meet specific learning standards for each grade level. Learning how fossils are formed and how to identify their unique traits can equip students with the skills they need to find traces of fossils on their next hike through a CWPD park and inspire a new wave of learning about the unique history of the world found right here in Centerville, Ohio.
Learn more about outdoor education programming offered by the CWPD >
If you’re interested in volunteering to assist with CWPD’s outreach programming, complete a volunteer application or contact us to learn more!
In 2026, the United States of America is commemorating its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of the celebration, America 250-Ohio is coordinating the unique events and experiences across Ohio’s 88 counties that play a role in crafting the state’s impact on American History. The Centerville-Washington Park District is joining the celebration by highlighting significant historical and community-building events within your park district that align with America 250-Ohio’s mission.