PENFIELD – Officials at the Parker Dam State Park have announced the program schedule for July 23-26.
Thursday, July 23
Throwback Thursdays – Finding Water
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 finding water. Find out the many ways in which, if needed, you could find and collect water for survival.
Friday, July 24
Nature Nut – Big Wet Rodent Day
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 – Big Wet Rodent day. The holiday was created by the Nature Nut; help us celebrate this unique day in honor of nature’s engineers.
Saturday, July 25
Beaver Dam Trail
10 a.m. – Beach House
Hike this easy, 2-mile loop while enjoying the varied habitats around Parker Dam, including a beaver pond. Please wear appropriate shoes.
Beavers
1 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Nature’s engineers can create some amazing things. Watch as you get a close up view of this amazing critter and how it spends its life.
Sand Snakes
3 p.m. – Beach
The only snakes we hope to see on the beach are the ones we make. Learn some of the basics about snakes while we sculpt snakey masterpieces in the sand.
Snake Search
4 p.m. – Beach House steps
Yes, we will go looking for snakes. There are many sizes and varieties in the park – come see what we can find.
Rattlers and Snappers with WCO Dunbar, state Fish & Boat Commission
7 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Myths about snakes have earned them bad reputations. But put aside those fears and misgivings, as an expert explains the truths about snakes. There will be live critters for you to see how humans can continue to co-exist peacefully along-side snakes.
Sunday, July 26 – Happy Big Wet Rodent Day!
Big Wet Sand Rodents
3 p.m. – Beach
Learn more about our big wet rodent – the beaver – while creating sand sculptures of the creature. Teeth, toes, tails, and more; the beaver’s special adaptations will be discussed.
Tea and Talk
7 p.m. – Beach House
Bring your own cup or mug (for hot beverages) and try 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. Sunday evening Tea and Talk has been going on for many years; come be a part of the tradition.