PENFIELD – Officials at the Parker Dam State Park have announced interpretive programs for Aug. 12-16.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Perseid Meteor Shower Watch
9 p.m. – Beach
Bring a blanket or towel to the beach area and we will watch for the show to begin in the sky (if cloud cover cooperates). The Perseids should be pretty good this year, with the dark of the moon occurring this week as well.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Throwback Thursdays – Bolas
6:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Each week a different topic on ‘primitive skills’ is covered. This week – bolas. A forgotten historic weapon, the boleadoras is made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, designed to capture animals by entangling their legs.
Friday, August 14
All About Fishers
2:30 p.m. – Beach House steps
Originally found in Penn’s Woods, the fisher has had a long journey to re-establishing itself in today’s forest. Learn more about this furbearing predator and about conservation efforts that have led to seeing them here again.
Nature Nut – Guide to Nature Television
7 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 – Nature TV.
Perseid Meteor Shower – The Sequel
9 p.m. – Beach House
Come view the show on the dark of the moon and learn more about the night sky. Details above (August 12).
Saturday, Aug. 15
Kayak Basics
10 a.m. – behind Beach House
NOTE: There is a $3 fee for all participants of this program.
Learn what type of kayak you might be comfortable in, how to prepare for a day on the water, and most important– how to get in, out and get around on the water. A limited number of kayaks are available. Reserve a kayak by contacting the Park Office 814-765-0630.
Kid’s Olympics
Sponsored by the Friends of Parker Dam
11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Registration
12 p.m. – 3 p.m., Games, Beach
This annual event gives children in various age groups the opportunity to win prizes in fun events like the Bean-bag Throw, Fun-noodle Toss, Pine Cone Drop, Seed Spit, and Frisbee Throw. Participants must compete in all events to win their division and a prize.
Race to Save the Bats
3 p.m. – Beach House steps
They’re creepy to some; cute to others; but they are important to us all. Many bats have had a battle for survival in recent past. Learn what threatens them, what scientists have learned, and what each of us can do to help.
Orienteering Basics
4 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
It is a skill perhaps not necessary in a world full of GPS units. But knowing how to use a map and compass effectively could save your life – plus, it’s fun and rewarding when you can complete an entire orienteering course.
Leave It to Beavers
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Nature’s engineers may be one of the keys to conservation. Watch and learn about how water shortages in some parts of the United States may be helped by nature’s builders.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Solar Beach Activities
2 p.m. – Beach
Come to the sidewalk near the Beach House to learn about the power of the sun, and how we can harvest some of this energy – solar hot water, electricity, and more.
Tea and Talk
7 p.m. – Beach House
Bring your own cup or mug and try some hot sweet fern/mountain mint tea grown right here in the park. Talk subjects are always open.