PENFIELD – Officials at the Parker Dam State Park have announced the program schedule for July 16-19.
Thursday, July 16
Throwback Thursdays – the Deadfall
6:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
A series of Thursday evening programs – each week a different topic following the theme of “primitive skills” will be covered. For this edition of Throwback Thursday, we will learn about creating an effective deadfall. There are many ingenious ways to trap food if you really needed to.
Friday, July 17
Sparkly Eyes and Fireflies
9 p.m. – Pavilion 4
Prepare to be dazzled as we take a stroll through the Day Use Area in search of creatures of the night. We’ll search for frogs, spiders, fireflies, owls, and whatever else we may come across. So put aside any fears of the dark you may have and come along. Please, no flashlights during the program so that participants can use their night vision.
Saturday, July 18
Trail of New Giants Hike
10 a.m. – CCC Museum
Hike to the highest point in the park and take in the view. We’ll hike less than 2 miles, but the short section to the vista will require a little extra effort. There is lots to see along the way, especially signs of a past trauma to the forest. Please wear appropriate shoes.
Pennsylvania’s Forest History
2 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Penn’s Woods has seen many changes over the years. It was once vast and seemingly unending, then nearly gone, and now a haven of recreation. Learn more about this history and the role that the Keystone State has played in many an industry.
Trash to Treasure
6:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Recycling is a practice we all know about, but we probably don’t always do our best to carry out. Here’s a chance for you to take waste materials headed for the landfill and turn them into something wonderful.
Sunday, July 19
History Walk
3 p.m. – Beach House
If you went back 50 years, what might you see at Parker Dam? Would the park be any different? How about going back 100 years? Or, five-hundred? Learn more about how the area of the park has changed over the years. We will be walking around the lake and crossing the spillway rocks, so please wear appropriate shoes for the journey.
Tea and Talk
7 p.m. – Beach House
Sweet fern makes an excellent hot tea. Learn how to identify it and make the tea. Then, try some sweet fern tea for yourself and while enjoying it, talk about the interesting local history. Timber, coal, coke, and gas are all industries which have had an impact on this area and its natural resources.