PENFIELD – Staff members at the Parker Dam State Park have announced the programs slated for Aug. 8-12 at the park.
Thursday, Aug. 8
Sustainability Fair:
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Day Use Area, near Beach House
The second-ever Sustainability Fair will feature electric vehicles, LEED buildings information, solar arrays, charging stations in parks, recycling in parks, master gardeners and planting natives and more. Come and get answers to your sustainability questions.
Friday, Aug. 9
Smokey Bear is 75:
1 p.m. – Beach
It’s Smokey’s birthday! Come and build a sand birthday cake on the beach to celebrate. All ages welcome.
DiscoverE: Outdoor Explorers:
3 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Age Requirement: 6-8 years-old
Join us as we learn about some of the incredibly interesting animals that inhabit our earth, and especially Pennsylvania. Games, crafts and other activities are a part of this summer-long program series.
A Beautiful Crusade:
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
The first woman to hold a job in PA government, Mira Lloyd Dock served on the Forest Commission and led many to the idea of conserving resources. Learn more about our conservation heritage and this little known, yet very important part of it.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Souders Trail Hike:
9 a.m. – bench outside Park Office
Join us for this short hike on Souders Trail, exploring the natural resources that surround us.
Family Fun Day:
12 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Day Use Area
Sponsored by the Friends of Parker Dam State Park
Many fun activities await families throughout the day. Starting at 12 p.m., materials for making cardboard boats for the regatta will be available. Various crafts and games will also be available throughout the afternoon.
Then at 1 p.m., the regatta participants will set sail. Anyone can build a Smokey Bear-themed sand sculpture throughout the day, which will then be judged by the public at 5:30 p.m.
Following the sand sculpture judging, a party celebrating Smokey’s 75th birthday will commence. The day ends with a bonfire at the beach at 7 p.m.
PA Forest History:
8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Come watch as a former Pennsylvania State Forester explains the changes that the commonwealth’s forests have experienced over the past couple of centuries. The forest we see today is not what the first European settlers would have found, nor is it one that our grandchildren will experience. Learn about the history of our ever-changing forests in Pennsylvania.
Sunday, Aug. 11
Tea and Talk:
7 p.m. – Beach House steps
Bring your own cup to sample some sweet fern/mountain mint tea grown right here in the park. Talk is whatever interests you about the environment. The Sunday evening tea and talk has been going on for many years—come be a part of the tradition.
Monday, Aug. 12
Perseid Meteor Shower Watch:
9 p.m. – Beach
Join us for the annual Perseid Meteor Shower watch at the beach. Bring blankets or other comfortable sit-upons to scan the night sky.