Moonlit Crafts and Telescopes: Pink Moon Celebration at Ogden Nature Center

On a clear April evening, Ogden Nature Center's Pink Moon Celebration transforms the quiet acres behind 16 S Clark Ave, Ogden, UT 84404, USA into a lively mix of science, seasonal blooms and neighborhood stargazing. This two-and-a-half-hour program blends hands-on craft projects, a NASA Ambassador talk about Artemis, a guided nature walk and close-up telescope views of April’s full “Pink Moon,” named for the wild ground phlox that paint the hills pink each spring. The event is family-focused—recommended ages 8 to 99—and takes advantage of the center’s accessible paths and interpretive gardens. The heart of the evening is the juxtaposition of place-based natural history and space science: flower-themed crafts and a short play-dough demonstration warm up the crowd before Jen Jones, a NASA Ambassador, presents the next phase of lunar exploration. After the talk, a short nature walk highlights spring wildflowers and riparian features that local insects and migratory songbirds use as stopover habitat; the walk ends at telescopes trained on the moon’s battered surface. Because the telescopes bring the lunar highlands, mares and craters into sharp relief, you’ll see geology usually reserved for textbooks while standing amid cottonwoods and grassland. Practical details shape the experience. The program runs about 2.5 hours, starts early in the evening, and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible in most areas. Bring layered clothing—Utah nights cool quickly in April—and a flashlight for the walk back to the parking area. The Ogden Nature Center balances community outreach and low-impact stewardship: programs are designed to limit trampling around sensitive beds and to spotlight native plantings that sustain pollinators. Why book this event? It’s short, inexpensive, and places a universal spectacle—the full moon—into a neighborhood-scale nature preserve where kids can get hands-on, adults can learn about Artemis, and everyone can enjoy a guided, interpretive walk. The program’s blend of craft, expert talk, natural-history interpretation and telescope viewing makes it an accessible entry point to both astronomy and local ecology. If you’re visiting Ogden in spring, this is the kind of evening that connects downtown stays with the region’s high-desert ecology and active public science outreach. For exact meeting details, age limits and cancellation rules, refer to the booking link and the Ogden Nature Center’s event page. Expect small-group viewing with volunteers guiding each telescope and pointing out lunar features. Typical itinerary: arrival and craft time, a brief play-dough demo, the Artemis presentation, a short nature walk, and concentrated telescope viewing. Check-in opens 15 minutes early; street parking at 16 S Clark Ave and nearby lots is available, though on-site parking fills quickly for larger gatherings. Tickets often sell out—reserve via the booking link. Event proceeds support local educators and native-plant garden upkeep. Bring a red filter for moon photos.