Penn Dixie will close at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 due to excessive heat. Final entry is at 12:45 PM
Category: Blog
Stargazing in Hamburg
Join us at Penn Dixie for an out-of-this-world experience! Our astronomers, along with our friends from the Buffalo Astronomical Association – will map the night sky — including stars, planets, constellations, and deep space objects — for you using a variety of telescopes and specialized equipment.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, warm clothing, blankets, a flashlight, and food/beverages. We’ll have plenty of telescopes, but you can bring yours along, too, if you’d like some expert advice. All ages welcome. Registration is not required.
Please plan to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time so that you have time to use the restroom and set up your lawn chairs / blankets. If you arrive after the start time, we ask that you dim your headlights when pulling into the parking lot.
Check our social media (Facebook & Instagram) for weather-related updates. Stargazing will be cancelled in the event of rain or heavy cloud coverage.
2026 Dates:
- June 20, 9-11 pm – Rain date: June 27, 9-11 pm
- July 25, 9-11 pm – No rain date
August 15, 8-10 pm(cancelled due to clouds) – Rain date:August 22, 8-10 pm(cancelled due to rain)- September 19, 7-9 pm – Rain date: September 26, 7-9 pm
Thanks to the generous support of the Town of Hamburg, there is no charge for our evening astronomy programs.
Thinking about purchasing a telescope? This telescope guide offers some great suggestions from Penn Dixie astronomer Ernie Jacobs. You can also download our Astronomy Night guide — also prepared by Ernie Jacobs — to learn more about our programs.
Seasonal Educator
Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Natural Reserve is a top-ranked destination for science enthusiasts of all ages! With a mission of hands-on science education, we encourage our visitors to learn about the natural world in an outdoor setting. Our programs emphasize natural history — including geology and paleontology, ecology, and astronomy. We serve 18,000 guests annually, including many who travel across the country to dig our fossils and explore our park.
Educators are the initial connection that visitors have with Penn Dixie. Educators are responsible for introducing Penn Dixie to guests, from admission to departure. The ideal candidate is driven to provide an outstanding learning experience for visitors of all abilities and backgrounds. Educators are expected to be friendly, helpful, and consistently maintain a positive attitude despite the challenge of working outdoors with large groups of visitors. Candidates do not need a formal background in geology or paleontology, but must be willing to learn.
Please note that this position is seasonal and part-time. Priority will be given to applicants who are available from April – September and are able to work at least 12 hours per week. This position pays $16.50 / hour.
Essential Functions
- Provide tours for guests (various group sizes)
- Demonstrate enthusiastic and welcome behavior at all times.
- Greet guests, accept admissions, conduct introductions, guide guests throughout the site.
- Monitor and enforce safety rules.
- Ensures cleanliness and organization throughout the site, including, but not limited to, collecting, cleaning and sorting fossils, organizing gift shop merch, garbage pick up, light trail maintenance.
- Provide excellent customer service and be knowledgeable in Penn Dixie’s science, history, and programming (training provided).
- Explain and promote Penn Dixie programs, membership, gift shop merchandise, birthday parties, and special events.
- Respond to guest needs immediately, including issues requiring first aid.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Documentation of U.S. citizenship or proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Obtain criminal background check clearance.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including some weekends, holidays and evenings.
- Knowledge or interest in science and / or education.
- CPR and First Aid certifications (may be provided if employee is not currently certified)
- Must have your own reliable transportation to/from work.
Experience, Skills and Personal Qualities Required
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Comfortable speaking in front of groups
- Exceptional customer service skills
- Detail-oriented
- Reliable and punctual
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
Physical Demands
- Speaking in small and large groups
- Walking and standing outdoors, sometimes for extended periods
- Bending/stooping frequently
- Dealing with highly variable weather conditions
- Ability to lift/carry up to 40 lbs
To apply, send a resumé and cover letter to our Marketing and Development Coordinator, Matt Wheaton at matt@penndixie.org
Applications will be accepted through March 6th, 2024
Spring Cleanup
Saturday, May 18th, 2024, 10 am to 12 pm
Join our team of volunteers as we perform the annual cleanup of Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve!
Helpers are needed for various beautification projects including debris pickup and general maintenance. Waterproof boots are strongly recommended; please dress for the weather as we will be outdoors for several hours. Work gloves are helpful, too. We will have a limited supply of gloves on hand for those who do not bring them.
There is no charge for admission and those who help will receive a family membership gift certificate! All volunteers are invited to stay after the cleanup ends for some free fossil hunting fun.
Contact Sydney Mecca at sydney@penndixie.org to register or use the form below.
Membership Gift Pack
Give the gift of science!
Your lucky recipients will enjoy one year of Penn Dixie membership and all sorts of goodies for new and returning fossil hunters!
Membership Gift Packs are available with either Family ($109.99) or Individual ($59.99) membership certificates. Free shipping! Membership is not activated until application and gift certificates are redeemed. Certificates are redeemable upon first visit during seasonal park hours (May – September) or via mail.
Includes:
- One year Family Membership – $90 value — with unlimited free admission for two adults and up to four children/grandchildren under age 18 -OR- Individual Membership – $40 value — with member benefits for one adult;
- Four Trilobite guest passes — $64 value;
- Trilobite bandana — $5 value;
- Penn Dixie sticker — $2.50 value;
- Amazing Arthropods gift box — $6 value;
- Two tool rental coupons — $20 value;
- Penn Dixie koozie — $5 value;
- Trilobite patch — $3.50 value;
- One “Fossil Four Pack” grab bag containing Penn Dixie fossils — $5 value;
- One “Global Explorer” grab bag containing fossils from around the world (shark teeth, dinosaur bone pieces, oysters, Moroccan sea snails) — $5 value;
- Penn Dixie eNews updates & digital newsletter subscription; and
- Savings on special events and in our gift shop.
You’ll receive all of these items — over $200 value — inside a custom-designed, locally screened artisan box that features paleoart by Ernst Haeckel and is perfect for storing your fossil collection. Please note that the contents of our gift packs periodically change! The list above is what is currently in our gift packs.
