PENFIELD – Officials at the Parker Dam State Park have announced programs for June 18-25.
Thursday, June 18
Throwback Thursdays – Wildcrafting
6:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
A series of Thursday evening programs and each week is a different topic following the theme of “primitive skills’ that will be covered. For this edition of Throwback Thursday, we will learn some of the basics of wildcrafting – that is, finding food in the natural environment.
Friday, June 19
Spidey Senses
10:30 a.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Learn all about some awesome spider adaptations and how their senses compare to our own! This program will include outdoor exploration, interactive discussion, and a fun craft! Most appropriate for ages 3-7 (and up).
Nature Nut – Life Under a Microscope
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Fridays are nutty this year. Watch John Acorn, the Nature Nut, in a series of video programs that are as entertaining as they are educational. This week’s episode – life under the microscope. Who discovered microscopic life? Enjoy this quirky look into “life under the microscope.”
Saturday, June 20
Crayfish!
11 a.m. – Ball Field
Two big claws; a muscular tail; a hard exoskeleton. No, it’s not a monster. Come learn about crayfish, which can be found in many waterways. You will find and observe crayfish in Laurel Run, so be prepared to get wet. Please no flip-flops or bare feet.
Sand Castle Creations Fact vs. Fiction
2 p.m. – Beach
Bring along your sand castle building tools and ideas to build the very best factual, or mythical, creature that might be found in or around the lake. Creations will be judged on their creativity and appearance.
Macroscopic and Microscopic
3 p.m. – Beach House
Get a first-hand look at wildlife on a much smaller scale. We will be using equipment that will allow us to see macroscopic, as well as microscopic, life that can be found in the water. Come learn the difference between the two “scopics” and see what is usually unseen.
Micro Hike
6:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
No, not 20 miles…how about 20 yards? On a “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” scale, create a micro-trail with yarn, craft sticks, magnifying glasses, and your imagination. Then guide others along, as you interpret your trail.
The Unknown World
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
They’re hiding in your closet; lurking in your bed; all over you – snacking on your skin, burrowing through your scalp, and munching on your mascara. They’re the creepy crawlers of the unknown world, and now, you can catch these creatures in the act.
Sunday, June 21
Log Drive
3 p.m. – Beach
Sand shovels and beach buckets are needed. A miniature log drive is scheduled to take place on the beach, complete with splash dam and cut timber to drive. Come learn how log drives occurred on Laurel Run during the 1870’s by recreating a smaller version of one.
Tea and Talk
7 p.m. – Beach House
Bring your own cup to sample some sweet fern/mountain mint tea grown right here in the park. Talk subjects are always open for discussion…come with some idea of what you’d like to know more about, learn, or share.
Thursday, June 25
Throwback Thursdays – Flint Knapping
6:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Each week a different topic on the theme of ‘primitive skills’ will be covered. This week – tools made from stone.