Guided Walk - CANCELLED
2023-09-09 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Join Dr. Ray Barbehenn, a biologist with an expertise in plant ecology, for an hour-long adventure through the gardens as you learn about plants and trees. Bring your curiosity!
Included with admission, free for members.

Brownie “Bugs” Badge Workshop
2023-09-10 10:00 - 15:00
Brownie “Bugs” Badge Workshop
Sunday, September 10, 2023
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Earn your “Bugs” Brownie badge during our “Bug O’ Rama” event! Price includes the cost of your “Bugs” badge as well as general admission to the Gardens and the indoor Butterfly Atrium. After purchasing your ticket online, present your ticket at the Scout information table to receive a checklist of activities to complete during our event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please arrive by 2 p.m. to complete all activities to earn your badge!
$14.50 per Scout, $14.50 per Scout leader.
General admission ticket required for accompanying family members.
Pre-registration is required here.

Bug-O-Rama
2023-09-10 10:00 - 15:00
This year’s expanded Bug-O-Rama will feature an array of unique insects from around the world, as well as small reptiles including snakes, lizards, frogs and geckos. Join us for this family-friendly hands-on day, and participate in a variety of fun bug activities include making a mason bee house to take home with the Butterbee Foundation! Special guests include Penn State Entomological Outreach program, Ryan “The Bug Man,” PA Bat Rescue, Saybees Apiary – The Keys to Bees, the Planet Bee Foundation and more!

Included in admission; free for members.
Schedule of Events:
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Visit with live bats with PA Bat Rescue; Conservatory
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Special Guests and Activities

Interact with arthropods from the insect zoo from Penn State Entomology Outreach; Conservatory
Check out various live insects and arachnids with Ryan “The BugMan” Bridge; Conservatory
See an observation hive and learn about honey with The Keys to Bees- SayBees Apiary; Tent pad, Conservatory
Build a Mason Bee Home and learn more about bees with the Butterbee Foundation; Shaded Classroom
Make a dragonfly craft; Children’s Garden
Play a pollinator matching game and learn how to identify insects and their anatomy; Children’s Garden
Make ladybug and bumblebee finger puppets; Tent Pad, Conservatory
Build a bug log; Tent Pad Conservatory
Color in symmetrical insects; Tent Pad, Conservatory

11 a.m. and 1 p.m., “Battle of the Bees” with the Butterbee Foundation: Education Center classroom. Compare native bees to honey bees. Decide who you think is the best pollinator and learn how vital each one is to our ecosystem.
Additional charge for:
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sarah’s Creamery; outside of Conservatory
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Facepainting with Fawntastic Faces; Tent pad, Conservatory

Guided Walk
2023-09-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-30 10:00 - 11:00

The Annual Penn-Jersey District Rose Show
2023-09-16 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-17 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday, September 16 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and
Sunday, September 17 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
“Celebrating Life’s Happy Moments with Roses”
Rose lovers rejoice! Members of the Penn-Jersey District of the American Rose Society will have their roses judged and displayed in Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. Awards are presented in the following classes according to the American Rose Society: horticulture, specimen, novice, floral design and photography. The show operates under standards established by the American Rose Society with ARS Accredited Judges. The show also includes pruning demonstrations and presentations about rose care.
Included in admission; free for members.
Schedule for Saturday, September 16
1 p.m. Show opens in Conservatory with exhibitions of roses, rose arrangements and photography
1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Learn how to prune roses with Penn Jersey District (PJARS) American Rose Society Rosarians, meet at PJARS tent in Rose Garden
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Drop-in family activities, located in tent in Rose Garden
Schedule for Sunday, September 17
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Have your questions answered about rose care with Penn Jersey District Rosarians; meet at PJARS tent in Rose Garden
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sarah’s Creamery Ice Cream Truck, Rose Garden (additional cost)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Junior Girl Scout Flowers Badge Workshop, pre-registration required; check in and pick up materials at registration table at Swan Lake
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Live music by Segno, a string duet with Harpist Sylvia Sweigert and Hammered Dulcimer player LillieMae Sweigert
1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Take a tour of the historic rose garden with Hershey Gardens horticultural staff; registration not required, meet at sign post at Swan Lake.
4 p.m. Show closes

Junior “Flowers” Badge Workshop
2023-09-17 10:00 - 14:00
Junior “Flowers” Badge Workshop
Sunday, September 17, 2023
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Earn your “Flowers” Gardener badge by exploring the science and meaning of flowers! Price includes the cost of your “Flowers” badge. After purchasing your ticket online, present your ticket at the Scout information table to receive a checklist of activities to complete at our stations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Your admission ticket includes a visit to the Penn Jersey District American Rose Society show in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, as well as general admission to the Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
$20 per Scout, $14.50 per Scout leader.
General admission ticket required for accompanying family members.
Pre-registration is required here.

Art Exhibit by Chris Dillon
2023-09-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-29 09:00 - 17:00
See the works of local artist Chris Dillon, who focuses on abstract and fluid art, which is the process of pouring thin, fluid acrylic paint on a canvas to create unique designs.
See his work at www.forsakenart.com
Exhibit is located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
Included in admission; free for members.

Guided Walk CANCELLED
2023-09-23 10:00 - 11:00

Member Reception
2023-09-26 16:30 - 18:00
Members, join us for an evening of wine and cheese as you listen to live music and stroll the grounds.
Look for your invitation in the mail in early September! Please RSVP here.

Bonsai Exhibit by the Susquehanna Bonsai Club
2023-09-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-02 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-04 09:00 - 17:00 and 3 more dates
Wednesday, September 27 through Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Experience the living art of bonsai with this popular annual exhibit provided by the Susquehanna Bonsai Club. Located in the Hoop House located in The Children’ s Garden.
Included in admission; free for members.

Homeschool Day
2023-10-03 09:30 - 12:30
Homeschool Day: All About Botany For students Kindergarten through grade 6 Tuesday, October 3 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Botany is the scientific study of plant life from biological structures to how plants function. Take a deeper look into the anatomy of plants, their life cycles and how they benefit our ecosystem. Learn how pollinators rely on plant structures to do their job! Visit our guest, the Butterbee Foundation, to discover how bees convert nectar to honey and how other popular pollinators prepare for seasonal changes. Join the Susquehanna Bonsai Club to discover what processes take place when they remove a leaf or branch to create miniature versions of trees and shrubs.

$11 per student, $13 per adultPre-registration required here, prior to October 1. Includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.

Homeschool Day provides a service beyond regular Gardens admission, therefore, no discounts, passes, or memberships are accepted. Program will be held rain or shine.
