2023 Fall Scavenger Hunt
- Celebrating Autumn at the Ned Smith Center -
October 1-31, 2023
Visit the Center between October 1-31 to explore the Center’s trails and solve this year’s mystery! This self-guided adventure will take you on a short stroll around the Center’s property to various interactive stations and is fit for the whole family. Don’t forget to stop by the Center afterwards to pick up your reward for solving the case!
Hit the trails and explore fall at the Ned Smith Center with this self-guided activity! Pick up a passport from the trailhead kiosk and follow the map to find all our exploration stations, learn about the outdoors, fill your passport, and turn it in to earn a reward! Rewards can be collected Monday – Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Offices (downstairs) or Gift Shop (upstairs) until November 1st, 2022. Limit one prize per child, while supplies last.
Nature & Arts Festival
Join us for this annual FREE celebration of nature and the arts; the perfect way to celebrate summer! Since 1994, the Center has held its annual festival, which began as the “Ned Smith Tribute Festival.” Now, more than 25 years later, this event is still going strong, bringing free family-friendly, educational entertainment to thousands of people all over central Pennsylvania. Although elements of the festival have changed over the years, certain favorite activities have become permanent fixtures, like the make-it-yourself bluebird boxes, live-animal demonstrations, delicious local food and artisans and our fish-print t-shirts!
The Annual Nature & Arts Festival is held every year on the last Saturday in July!
This years event is July 29th, 2023!
Ted Lick Memorial Sporting Clays Classic
Presented by Stonebridge financial group
Ready, pull!
You don’t want to miss this high-profile sporting clay shoot, held at Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Club in Linglestown, PA.
Enjoy a round of 100 clay birds, a cocktail hour and awards dinner, and a silent and live auction. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and shoot with dozens of central Pennsylvania business leaders. And all the while, you’ll be supporting the Center and our unique and dynamic education programming.
Tröegs + NSCNA Rugged 5K Trail Run
Our Tröegs sponsored RUGGED Trail Run engaged over 300 participants PLUS spectators, staff, volunteers and vendors.. We are geared up for making this years run another successful fundraiser in support of Our Mission of merging the arts and the natural world.
The Center boasts a beautiful woodland setting, 12 miles of trails on 500+ acres, a scenic bridge over the Wiconisco Creek, a natural play area, three ever changing art galleries featuring Ned Smith’s art and various national and local artists, a gift shop AND innovative educational programs.
This race is open to all ages, and prizes will be given to the top male and female runners in each age group.
On your mark, get set, go!
The 2023 Tröegs Rugged Trail Run will be held on September 9th!
2022 Race Results are available below!
Desoto Amphitheater
The DeSoto Amphitheater for the Performing Arts is an expression of the Ned Smith Center’s mission to merge the worlds of nature and the arts. At the DeSoto Amphitheater, the arts have a home surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Ned Smith Center lands.
Doors open at 6 p.m., performances begin at 7:30p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Celebrating our 30th Anniversary, the 2023 DeSoto Amphitheater season schedule is our biggest and best yet!
Please note that all NSCNA member coupons must be redemeed by calling 717-692-3699
NSCNA member coupons are NOT valid for The Spin Doctors or Peter Rivera
2023 DeSeto Amphiotheater Schedule available below:

NED sMITH cENTER ANNUAL gALA
“Celebrating 30 Years”
2023 NSCNA GALA
Friday, November 10, 2023
Let’s celebrate 30 years of the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art, November 10, 2023, at the NSCNA Gala, held once again at the Country Club of Harrisburg! Get dressed up and join us for an amazing evening, featuring a night dedicated to the honoring the past and looking forward to the future at the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art. You won’t want to miss all the fun we have in store, including entertainment, an elegant cocktail buffet, raffles and auctions with more than a few surprises added in for good measure!
Sponsorship Opportunities Are Still Available
Find More Information by calling 717-692-3699
The Gallery CONCERTS
At night, within the walls of our beautiful Ned Smith Gallery, intimate concerts are held during the spring months. Join us as we bring together top name local and national talent to perform at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art.
Our 2023 Gallery Season Schedule is available below: