Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation has posted its upcoming programs. Unless noted otherwise, all programs will take place in the Environmental Center at Lancaster County Central Park, 1 Nature's Way, Lancaster. There is a fee for most programs. The registration deadline is noon on the day prior to each program. To register, readers may call 717-295-2055 or visit http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/317/Public-Programs.
Rocket Launch for youths ages 8 to 18 will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, and from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. Participants will design their own rocket using 2-liter soda bottles and other materials. Once their rockets are complete, participants will gather in the Environmental Center field where naturalist Ann Strauss will set up each rocket for launching. Participants are asked bring a clean 2-liter soda bottle. Parents may drop off children if they fill out the release form prior to the program.
Putting Nature Into Words No. 1 for people age 15 and up will be offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Participants may take this class as a stand-alone or as the first part of a three-class mini course. Naturalist Alan Wissinger will briefly review concepts of audience, genre, personification, and staying focused when using phrases and clauses. Attendees may bring a towel to sit on, writing tools, and a notebook for an extended outdoor writing time which will be followed by sharing their work with others.
Basics of Bird Watching for people age 8 and up will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sept. 19. Participants will learn the skills to begin basic identification of birds with naturalist Rachel Albright. These techniques will help attendees identify some resident and migrating birds.
Fallin' Into a New Season with Trivia! for adults will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 19. Attendees may bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Led by Albright, the event will include two rounds of trivia.
Covered Bridge Stream Study for people age 8 and up will be offered on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot at Kurtz's Mill Covered Bridge at Central Park. Participants will experience the wildlife of the Mill Creek with naturalist Aaron Hasircoglu as they search for aquatic bugs, invertebrates, and fish. Participants will be required to wear closed-toe shoes.
Autumn Equinox Hike for people of all ages will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. or from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Muhlenberg Wildflower Meadow, 548 Golf Road, Lancaster. Participants will join naturalist Lisa J. Sanchez for a hike on the autumnal equinox through the native plant meadow. According to the astronomical definition of the seasons, Sept. 22 is the start of fall. According to the meteorological definition of seasons, fall began on Sept. 1. Participants will look for evidence of the season change. The group will meet at the parking lot.
Homeschool Wednesday: Introduction to the Compass for children ages 8 to 12 will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Fall season homeschool classes will continue with a series of outdoor activities highlighting hiking safety and navigation. With naturalist Mary Ann Schlegel, students will learn the basics of compass use. Children will apply their skills first on short courses before making a course for others to follow. They should dress for outdoor activity. Children under age 8 are welcome if accompanying older siblings.
Thursday in the Park: Stream Study for children ages 6 to 9 will be offered on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. Participants will join Schlegel for a series of outdoor-oriented fall season classes. They will look for immature stages of familiar insects in the Mill Creek along with crayfish. Stream inhabitants tell a lot about the health of their aquatic homes, and the session will end with assessing water quality. Attendees should dress for the weather, and closed-toe shoes like old sneakers are required for everyone entering the stream. Sandals and foam clogs should not be worn. Children under age 6 are welcome if accompanying older siblings.
Batty About Bats Hike for people of all ages will be held on Friday, Sept. 25, from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants will take an evening hike on Central Park's Scout Trail with Strauss, observing bats, locating bat boxes, and learning about these creatures. The trail is mostly easy with one steep stretch.
Sustainability Merit Badge for youths ages 10 to 17 will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Sept. 26, Oct. 31, and Dec. 5. Naturalist and merit badge counselor Schlegel will facilitate as Scouts complete this merit badge over three sessions. Prior to the first session, Scouts must complete parts one and two. The second part will require tracking a monthlong household water-reduction plan. In each meeting, Scouts will provide documentation and report on their assigned sections prior to receiving assignments for subsequent meetings. Separate fees have been set for Scouts and for adults.
Songbird Migration and Window Decals for people age 6 and up will be offered on Sept. 26 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Many songbirds raising their young over the summer migrate south to spend the winter in tropical climes. With Schlegel, participants will discover feats of migration as well as some of the challenges that songbirds face on their journeys. In addition to learning about migration, participants will start making window clings, which can help reduce window collisions. Participants will take them home to dry and color.
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