Ozark Eclipse Celebration Weekend

The most exciting Total Solar Eclipse event in North America for the next 20 years is happening on April 8, and Arkansas is one of only thirteen states in the path of totality! Join us at Ozark Natural Science Center in Northwest Arkansas for an astronomy and eclipse-themed weekend, followed by a bus ride to view the eclipse in the totality zone.

The weekend event will feature classes and presentations with ONSC staff and guest experts, guided day and night hikes with special activities, astronomy viewing with telescopes, campfires, music, arts, and crafts. We will travel by bus from the ONSC campus to the path of totality to view the eclipse on April 8th, 2024. Experience totality with your fellow science and nature enthusiasts!

About Ozark Natural Science Center:

ONSC’s mission is to enhance the understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the Ozark natural environment. Located in the heart of the Ozarks, we host school programs, provide environmental education to all ages, and offer public programs and events. When you sign up for an ONSC event, you are directly supporting school programs for students between 4th and 8th grade.

Ticket Options and Pricing: All programming, meals, and lodging are included in ticket prices. ONSC will provide each participant with eclipse glasses!

Program + Meals + Shared Lodge Room 

• $425 Regular Ticket
• $100 Youth Ticket
• $200 Volunteer Ticket (SPECIAL) - work a 3 hour volunteer shift and recieve a reduced ticket rate
• $650 Double Ticket (SPECIAL) - 2 adult tickets
• $750 Family Tikcet (SPECIAL) - 2 adult tickets and up to 3 youth tickets
• Includes all programming, meals from Friday dinner through Monday lunch, as well as a twin bed in a lodge. Each lodge bedroom contains its own bathroom and multiple bunkbeds. You will be staying in a room with others. If you wish to be assigned to a room with particular people, please indicate that in your registration form. Learn more about our lodges and see pictures at www.onsc.us/facilities

Program + Meals + Single (Private) Lodge Room

• $600 Regular Ticket
• Includes all programming, meals from Friday dinner through Monday lunch, as well as a twin bed in a lodge. This is a private room with just one bed and its own bathroom. Learn more about our lodges and see pictures at www.onsc.us/facilities

Program + Meals + Glampsite  - SOLD OUT

• $375 Regular Ticket
• Includes all programming, meals from Friday dinner through Monday lunch, as well as the ONSC Glamp site. Learn more about the glamp site and see pictures at www.onsc.us/facilities

Program + Meals + Campsite

• $300 Regular Ticket, $75 Youth Ticket
• Includes all programming, meals from Friday dinner through Monday lunch, as well as a platform campsite. Learn more about the campground and see pictures at www.onsc.us/facilities

Option to Pre-order your ONSC Eclipse Tshirt! 

• $25 each
• See the t-shirt here

Please Note:

• ONSC can accommodate most dietary preferences, which you can include in your registration
• Financial aid available. Inquire here.
• NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER TICKETS ARE PURCHASED

Tentative Schedule: 

Friday, April 5th

4:00 - 5:30 PM Check-in & Move into lodges

5:30 PM Dinner

7:00 PM Tracing Shadows -  A History of Eclipse Predicition Presentation by Daniel Kennefick in Smith Education Building

8:00 PM Night Hike to Wishing Rock or Astronomy Viewing

9:30PM Back to lodges

Saturday, April 6th

8:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM Guided Solar System Scale Hike on Old Farm Loop Trail

11:00 AM Astronomy Class/Activities with Molly Ussery in Smith Education Building

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Sun and Moon Themed Arts & Crafts

2:30 PM Break/Free Time (Games and Recreation materials available)

4:00 PM Music performance

5:30 PM Dinner

7:00 PM Constellation Stories at the campfire

7:45 PM Night Hike to Wishing Rock or Astronomy Viewing in the meadow

9:30PM Back to lodges

Sunday, April 7th

8:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM Presentation about the importance of Dark Skies

10:00 AM Guided Hike

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Sun and Moon Themed Arts & Crafts 

2:30 PM Break/Free Time (Games and Recreation materials available)

4:00 PM Lunar Cycles & Eclipses Class

5:00 PM Eclipse safety & Pinhole Projectors Craft

5:30 PM Dinner

7:00 PM Campfire

7:45 PM Night Hike to Wishing Rock or Astronomy Viewing

9:30PM Back to lodges

Monday, April 8th

8:00 AM Breakfast

8:45 AM Load bus

9:00 AM Bus departs

12:00 Arrive at Totality Viewing location

12:45 Picnic lunch & Pinhole Projector Exploration

1:50-1:55 Totality (Totality time will depend on location and weather)***NOTE: ONSC will provide each participant with eclipse glasses!

2:20 Load bus

2:30 Depart from Totality Viewing location

5:00 Arrive back at ONSC

Back to lodges–pack up and depart from ONSC

About the Instructors:

Visit www.onsc.us/staff to learn more about ONSC's Teacher Naturalists and other staff.

Guest Instructors: 

Daniel Kennefick is a professor of Physics at the University of Arkansas. He received his Ph. D. in Physics from Caltech in 1997. After a postdoc in Cardiff, Wales, he joined the faculty at Caltech where he worked as an editor at the Einstein Papers Project. He has been in Fayetteville since 2003. In 2007 he published a book on the history of gravitational waves called Traveling at the Speed of Thought. He is also the co-author of An Einstein Encyclopedia. Most recently he is the author of No Shadow of a Doubt: The 1919 Eclipse That Confirmed Einstein's Theory of Relativity. 

Molly Ussery is both a board member of NWA Space and Science Center and a very active member of the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society (she is the Vice President, librarian, and Kid's Club coordinator!).  She will be helping with an Astronomy class and activities on Saturday.