PENFIELD – The officials at the Parker Dam State Park have announced the program schedule for July.
Friday, July 11
First Impressions – Insects
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Why are we afraid of something so small? We smile at a beautiful butterfly but run away from a dragonfly. Explore some of our first impressions of various local insects and learn more about them… understanding often brings appreciation.
Saturday, July 12
Walking Sticks
3 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Masters of camouflage, these insects can hide in plain sight. Predators must have a keen eye to spot them. You can see how well your eyes spot them as we take a walk and discuss sight-linked adaptations.
Journey of the Monarch
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Monarch butterflies all head toward one forest in Mexico each year, and they do it with astonishing precision. Learn about this feat of endurance and the dangers they encounter along the way. Learn why there are now worries that they will lose their ancestral wintering grounds.
Sunday, July 13
High Country Arts and Crafts Fair at S.B. Elliott State Park
Sponsored by the Clearfield Elks
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Annual event sponsored by the Clearfield Elks featuring: arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations, entertainment, food, shuttles to and from the parking area, and much more. Food, music, and plenty of great arts and crafts await.
Tea and Talk
7 p.m. – Beach House
The talk will be teas, and a few trees, and perhaps more. Bring your own mug for some of the park-grown Sweet Fern tea, and then relax and have an informal discussion one of the park naturalists about a few trees, in particular Hemlock and Ash.
Friday, July 18
Striped, Smelly and … Smart?
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
You know them when you see them. You know them when you smell them. But, do you really know a skunk? They are more than a stripe and an odor. Learn more about these common mammals and their amazing abilities when it comes to adapting and survival.
Saturday, July 19
Amphibian Hunt
2 p.m. – outside Park Office
There are many (MANY) amphibians at Parker Dam State Park. Let’s go on a hunt to see how many different kinds we can find and identify. We will not be keeping any of the amphibians we find – all the fun is in the catching (and learning about them).
Rattlers and Snappers with WCO Dunbar, PFBC
7 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Many wives’ tales and myths about snakes have earned them a bad reputation. But put aside those fears and misgivings as an expert explains to you why snakes are an important part of Pennsylvania’s ecosystems. There will be live snakes at this program for you to see how, with the proper respect and attitude from humans, all snakes can continue to exist peacefully in the environment we both share.
Sunday, July 20
Tea and Talk
7 p.m. – Beach House
The talk will be teas, and a few trees, and perhaps more. Bring your own mug for some of the park-grown Sweet Fern tea, and then relax and have an informal discussion with one of the park naturalists about a few trees, in particular Hemlock and Ash.