Program Schedule Announced for Parker Dam State Park, July 27-29

The following interpretive programs have been announced for the Parker Dam State Park for July 27 – 29.

Friday, July 27

Return of the Fisher

6 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom

Originally found in Penn’s Woods, the fisher has had a long journey to get to its place in the ecosystem of today’s forest.  Learn more about this fur-bearing predator and about conservation efforts that have led to the possibility of now seeing this creature in the forest around Parker Dam and all over PA.

Incredible Journey of the Butterflies

8:30 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater

Two thousand miles . . . you’re without a GPS . . . and you’re only the size of a human hand.  Take the journey with the monarch butterflies as they make their annual trip to Mexico with such precision.  Scientists will look at just how the monarchs are able to make such a tremendous feat of endurance.

Saturday, July 28

Where Is It?

10 a.m. – Environmental Education Classroom

Children can come and learn more about the very cool animal adaptation of camouflage.  Wildlife use it for different reasons—catching prey or avoiding predators—but it all has to do with blending in. We will also make a small craft where you can create your own camouflaged critter.

Crayfish!

3 p.m.- Ball Field

Two big claws.  A muscular tail.  A hard exoskeleton.  No, it’s not some sort of monster or alien creature.  Learn about crayfish that can be found in many waterways.  You will get a chance to find and observe crayfish in Laurel Run, so be prepared to get wet.  Also, please no flip-flops or bare feet.

Night Fishing

8:30 p.m.– Pavilion 4

You may be asleep in bed, but the fish are still swimming in the water, and many are in search of their prey.  Learn about techniques for fishing at night, and get the opportunity to do some fishing with the park’s equipment if you don’t have your own.  Participants 16 or older are reminded to bring along their 2012 PA Fishing License.

Sunday, July 29

The Frozen Water Trade

2 p.m.- Environmental Education Classroom

We take for granted that our milk and meat stay cool in the ‘fridge.  But at one point in time, you had to work at keeping food from spoiling.  You had to work even harder if you were one of the many who harvested ice to be sold by the ice man.  Learn about this amazing industry and see the tools they used.

Scavenger Hunt Mystery

4 p.m. – Beach House steps

Find the clues and solve the mystery.  You simply need to bring along a digital camera or camera-phone to snap a few shots along the way.  Finding the answer to this mystery will be both fun and interesting.

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