| |
Lake Minnewaska |
|
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
August 2011 Public Programs
***Pre-registration is required for participation in public programs, but parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival to the Park Preserve is recommended as the Park Preserve may fill to capacity before noon, particularly on weekends. For outings, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 years must accompany children wishing to participate in any programs. Unless otherwise noted, all programs meet at the Nature Center.***
Tuesday, August 2, 7:00 a.m.: Early Morning Birders
Designed for birding enthusiasts or those just looking to learn the basics, this series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and naturalists. Participants will meet at the main Park Preserve entrance every Tuesday morning. In July and August, outings will begin at 7:00 a.m. and in September and October, outings will begin at 8:00 a.m. Participants should come prepared with binoculars and a field guide. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program. This program also occurs on August 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.
Summer Youth Programs, Session 2
Come join other families at Minnewaska to learn about snakes and how to use a map and compass. See dates and age restrictions below. Pre-registration is required and all children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at least 18 years of age.
Wednesday, August 3rd, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Junior Naturalists: Slippery Snakes
This program is recommended for five to eight year old children.
(Wednesday, August 10th: Rain Date)
Thursday, August 4th, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Junior Rangers:Outdoor Survival Skills
This program is recommended for nine to twelve year old children.
(Thursday, August 11th: Rain Date)
Saturday, August 6, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Plaster Tracks for Families
Stop in the Minnewaska Nature Center during this time period and make your own plaster animal track to take home! This activity is appropriate for children six years of age and older, accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Pre-registration is required.
Sunday, August 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Blueberry Walk
This family hike will feature an approximately two-mile long hike along two carriage roads and on the grassy footpaths that meander through the site of a former golf course. We’ll follow a route clustered with blueberry bushes that are often loaded with fruit and if the weather is clear, gorgeous views of the Catskills abound. Pre-registration is required.
Saturday, August 13, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Make a Rain Stick
Join Park Preserve educator Jillian Koehnken in the Minnewaska Nature Center for a celebration of water and its importance to the world. Stop in during this time period to make your own rain stick from recycled and natural materials to take home! This activity is appropriate for children four years of age and older, accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Pre-registration is required.
Sunday, August 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Beacon Hill Loop Hike
This one-and-a-half mile hike leads you along picturesque carriage roads and a footpath through a forest perched on the escarpment overlooking the Wallkill Valley. If the weather is clear, vistas featuring the Catskill Mountains and the Skytop Tower at the Mohonk Mountain House should be excellent. Pre-registration is required.
Homeschoolers’ Summer Naturalist Series: Session 2
Bring your homeschooled children to learn about various nature-related topics at the Minnewaska Nature Center this summer. Each program is designed for a specific age range, but younger and older siblings are welcome as long as they are capable of participating without distracting other children. Parents may need to assist younger siblings with some activities. See dates and topics below. Pre-registration is required and all children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at least 18 years of age.
Wednesday, August 17th, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Homeschoolers’ Summer Naturalists
Kids Make Art in the Park
This program is recommended for eight to twelve year old children.
(Wednesday, August 24th: Rain Date)
Thursday, August 18th, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Homeschoolers’ Summer Naturalists
Outdoor Survival Skills
This program is recommended for eight to twelve year old children.
(Thursday, August 25th: Rain Date)
Saturday, August 20, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: H2O Olympics!
Stop by the Minnewaska Nature Center with your young children, aged six to ten years old, to see and play with demonstrations that teach about the unique properties of water. See how many pennies can be dropped into a cup of water before it spills over and other fun activities. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at least 18 years of age.
Sunday, August 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Two Views from One Hike
Meeting at the Peter’s Kill Climbing Area, this hike will ascend a hill on the Bullwheel trail to reach the intersection with the High Peter’s Kill trail. From this point, the hike will follow the trail a modest distance in each direction to reach gorgeous vistas of both the Clove Valley and the Rondout Valley from rocky cliff edge perches. The total distance of this hike is approximately two miles. Pre-registration is required.
Sunday, August 28, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Echo Rock Hike
This four-mile walk along various carriage roads features dripping rock faces, stately hemlock trees and views out over the Palmaghatt Ravine. If we’re lucky, we’ll also see raptors from the cliffs at Echo Rock, where Turkey Vultures have been known to perch. Pre-registration is required.
For information and to register for programs, please call the Park Preserve Office at 845-255-0752. Minnewaska State Park Preserve is open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. from August1st until September 18th, when the Park Preserve will close at 7:00 p.m. The fee for parking is $8 per vehicle and there are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted. All fees are subject to change. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of approximately 21,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner, New York.
|
FREE
