The Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation will offer programs to the community. Unless otherwise noted, there is a per-person fee for the programs, most of which will take place at the Environmental Center in Lancaster County Central Park, 1 Nature's Way, Lancaster. Registration and payment are required by noon on the business day before the event.
Fire Building and Starting will take place on Thursday, June 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Campsite 3. Naturalist Ann Strauss will explain and demonstrate proper fire-starting and fire-building techniques. Participants will learn how to identify both good kindling and firewood as well as construct a fire primed to burn. Tools will be provided for a variety of fire-starting techniques, including bow and drill, magnesium and flint, flint and steel, and magnifying glass. After learning how to build a fire, participants will make s'mores over their fires. This program is open to people of all ages but is best for children age 6 and up.
A Longest Day Hike for people age 6 and up will occur on Friday, June 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Speedwell Forge County Park. Naturalist Mary Ann Schlegel will lead a hike along the Hammer Creek, past the wetlands, and over the hills of the park. Attendees should dress for the weather and for hiking several miles on some rocky and hilly trails; they should bring water. Participants will meet at the trailhead parking lot at 480 Speedwell Forge Road, Lititz.
A Summer Solstice Mindfulness Hike, for people age 15 and up, will occur on Saturday, June 22, from 9 to 10 a.m. Building on the tenets of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, naturalist Kristyn Small will lead this walking meditation and guide participants in sensory awareness. The hiking trail is relatively flat and under a half-mile in length. It will begin at the Garden of Five Senses patio, 1030 Rockford Road, Lancaster.
Make a Hummingbird Swing will be offered on June 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. Led by naturalist Lisa J. Sanchez, participants may make a simple hummingbird swing/feeder to provide hummingbirds with a place to perch and give people an opportunity to view them. In addition to the fee per person, there is a fee per hummingbird swing. The program is for people of all ages.
A Bike Hike on the Northwest River Trail, for people age 8 and up, will occur on Sunday, June 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. Small will lead cyclists on a 2.2-mile, round-trip bike ride and provide historical, environmental, and cultural information. Participants must bring their bikes and wear helmets and closed-toe shoes for the duration of the program. The Bike Hike will start at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., Columbia.
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