Friends of Salt Springs State Park

Events Calendar - 2008

Program Notes Last updated: August 24, 2008

Cancellation: Due to a family misfortune, the Wild and Free program -- Sunday, August 24, 2 pm -- has been cancelled.

Salt Springs Triathlon '08 For full details, Click here.

Important Program Information	Cancellation Policy
√ All programs are open to the public.	√ Workshops with low registration may be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. Registrants will be notified by phone.
√ All programs meet at the Wheaton House, unless otherwise indicated.	√ Programs may be cancelled because of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstance.
√ Pre-registration is required for some workshops. Register by calling the park.	√ For last minute updates, call the park at 570-967-7275.
√ Program fees, when charged, are payable at the event.
√ For more information on any of the programs or to register, call the park at 570-967-7275.

March

Sunday, March 2, 2 – 3:30 pm - KITCHEN CUPBOARD REMEDIES
Did you know you can soothe an upset stomach, cure bad breath, and ease a headache just with the herbs found in most kitchens? Learn natural ways to deal with common maladies and make a flavored / scented oil to take home (bring a small jar for this). Program fee: $12. Limited enrollment – pre-registration required. Instructor: Julie Casey, Family Herbalist.

Saturday, March 29, 10 am – 4 pm - OPEN HEARTH COOKING
Microwaves may have revolutionized convenience in cooking, but the fun is in preparing a meal as it would have been done in the 1800s. In this fun, informative, and tasty hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to prepare several delectable dishes as the first Wheaton family would have done and over the same fireplace. Enjoy the company of others while cooking and take home a set of recipes and new knowledge of early American life. Appropriate for everyone over 16. Program fee: $20. Limited enrollment – pre-registration required. Instructor: Kim Gazzillo, Early American cooking expert and re-enactor.

April

Tuesdays in April (1, 8, 15, 22), 9 – 10:30 am - BASIC BIRDING
Learn the basics and sharpen your identification skills. This course will cover identification by sight, song, and habitat; family characteristics; tips on using binoculars and field guides; and local opportunities for involvement in bird data collection. Program fee: $20. Offered through the Montrose Area Adult School. Call 570-278-2006 to register. Instructor: Nancy Wottrich, FSSP Education Coordinator.

Saturday, April 19, 9 am – 5 pm - ALTERNATE ENERGY AND GREEN BUILDING TOUR
Expanding upon last year's program, travel by car caravan around Susquehanna County to visit five more homes that have incorporated alternate energy and green building into their design as well as older homes retrofitted for energy efficiency. Learn what you can do as a homeowner to lower both your carbon footprint and your utility bills. Program fee: $25 (includes lunch and information packet). Space limited - pre-registration required.

Sunday, April 27, 2 – 4 pm - THE ABCs OF HERBAL TEAS
Learn the health benefits of herbal teas and how to grow, dry, and blend your own tasty varieties. Participants will create their own blends using dried herbs provided and take some home. Sampling included - bring your own teacup. Program fee: $6. Space limited - pre-registration required. Instructor: Maddie Murray, Herbalist.


May Saturdays in May, 8 – 11 am - BIRDING SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY The best birding of the year is confined to just a few short weeks in the spring. These walks will explore some of the public natural areas around Susquehanna County that offer great bird watching and are highlighted in the newly published A Birder's Guide to Susquehanna County. Leaders: County Naturalists. May 3 — Woodbourne Forest Preserve, Dimock. Meet at the Preserve parking lot, Rt. 29 South. May 10 — Salt Springs State Park and Friends' Land. Meet at the Wheaton House parking lot. May 17 — Florence Shelly Preserve, Thompson. Meet at the Preserve parking lot, Rt. 171 & Stack Road. Note: This walk begins at 6 am. May 24 — Florence Shelly Preserve, Thompson. Meet at Preserve parking lot, Rt. 171 & Stack Rd. May 31 — PA Gamelands #35, Hallstead. Meet at McDonald's Restaurant in Hallstead. Saturday, May 10, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm - MUNCHING WITH THE LLAMAS Take a hike with the park's resident llamas for a picnic lunch at a beautiful, secluded location. Bring your own lunch and let the llamas pack it up the mountain. Participants will be able to take turns leading the llamas on the trail. Great program for kids. Program fee: $5 per person. Limited enrollment - pre-registration required. Instructor: Dennis Wilson, FSSP board member and llama trainer. Sunday, May 18, 2 – 4 pm - WOODLAND WILDFLOWERS AND SPRING BOTANY The showy glory of spring wildflowers is a treat that shouldn't be missed. Stroll through the woods and learn the names and fascinating life stories of these ephemeral beauties from an expert in the botanical world. Great opportunity for photographers too! No fee or registration required. Instructor: Bill Olson, Wetland Specialist. Tuesdays in May (rain or shine), 4 – 5:30 pm - KIDS, NATURALLY! A series of four after-school programs for children ages 7–10. Explore the natural world through games, activities, and hands-on discovery. Sign up for one or all four. Limited enrollment - pre-registration required. Instructor: Michaela Steele, FSSP board member and Elementary School Teacher. May 6, Tremendous Trees — opposite, alternate, or just plain green food factories. May 13, Rock On! — rock n' rollin' through time with Devonian dirt. May 20, Birds of a Feather — learn the bright and beautiful ones with songs to match. May 27, Water Beasties — take a really close up look in the stream.

June Saturday, June 7, 9 am – 12 noon - NATIONAL TRAIL DAY HIKE AT SALT SPRINGS All across the country folks will be taking to trails today to clean up, fix up, or just trek up them. This hike will explore some of the lesser known but still stunning trails in the park and on the Friends' Land. Approximate distance is 3 - 4 miles, and difficulty level is moderate. Bring snacks and water. Leaders: Sandy Babuka and Dennis Wilson, FSSP board members. Sunday, June 8, 2 – 4 pm - THE ART AND SCIENCE OF BEEKEEPING Honey bees are amazing insects, with a very complex social structure and the ability to make delicious honey. They are now threatened with extinction from an elusive disorder that could drastically affect our own food supply. Take a look at these aspects of bees, sample some of the fruits of their labors, and learn about the fascinating art of beekeeping. Instructor: Matt Purdy, Amateur Beekeeper and Resource Conservationist. New! All week — Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27, 9 am – 3 pm - SALT SPRINGS SUMMER CAMP A week of immersion into the natural world for children going into fourth to sixth grades who have a real interest in nature. Through hands-on explorations, games, activities, and camaraderie, children will learn about the ecosystems at Salt Springs and gain a better understanding and appreciation of the environment. Program fee: $75 for FSSP members; $95 for nonmembers (includes a 1 year membership). Limited enrollment - call for more information and a registration form.

July

Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11, 10 am – 12:30 pm
TAPESTRY WEAVING FOR CHILDREN
In this one-week instructional program, children aged 10 and up will learn how to weave pictures with yarns and will complete a project during this course. Learn an ancient craft and a new skill and hopefully develop a life-long interest. Program fee: $20. Limited enrollment - pre-registration required. Instructor: Libby Anderson, Weaver and FSSP board member.

CANCELLED Saturday, July 12, 8:30 – 10:30 pm — A MID-SUMMER'S NIGHT HIKE
Explore the night - call for owls, examine night insects, learn the summer constellations, and discover how your senses change under the cloak of darkness. Great for kids! Leader: Nancy Wottrich, FSSP Education Coordinator.

August

Saturday, August 16, 6 – 8 pm — SUNSET, LLAMA STYLE
Imagine yourself leading one of these sure-footed friends over a rocky terrain and across cool streams, as the heat of the day fades into the cool of night. Learn more about llamas as popular recreation companions and make friends with the award winning resident llamas at the park. Program fee: $5. No pre-registration required. Leader: Dennis Wilson, Llama Trainer and FSSP board member.

Sunday, August 24, 2 – 4 pm — WILD AND FREE . . . FOR THE EATING
The woods and fields are a veritable feast just waiting to be picked and savored. Look for wild edibles in the fields and along the woods' edge on this guided walk, and learn about their medicinal and culinary uses. Sampling included! Program fee: $12. Pre-registration required. Instructor: Julie Casey, Family Herbalist.

Saturday, August 30, 7 am – 11 am - SALT SPRINGS TRIATHLON '08
As last year, the triathlon will consist of separate Sprint- and Olympic-distance events. The routes remain unchanged, and the finish line will be at the Pavilion. Click here for full event details.

Saturday, August 30, 11 am – 5 pm - 6TH ANNUAL SALT SPRINGS CELEBRATION
A full day of family fun, music, children's nature activities, refreshments, live animals, displays, silent auction and a wonderful opportunity to see what's happening at Salt Springs. Proceeds benefit the Friends' programs.

September

Fridays in September, 4 – 5:30 pm - KIDS, NATURALLY!
A series of four after-school programs for children ages 7–10. Explore the natural world through games, activities, and discovery. Sign up for one or all four. Limited enrollment - pre-registration required. Instructor: Michaela Steele, FSSP board member and Elementary School Teacher.

September 5, Water Wonders — critters in the stream.

September 12, Rotting Away! — life in the soil.

September 19, Creepy Crawlers — insects everywhere!

September 26, Leafy Fall Splendor — trees in their glory.

Saturday, September 6, 2 – 4 pm — BUGS, BEETLES, AND BUTTERFLIES
Summer is to insects what spring is to birds – and they are everywhere! Using sweep nets for collecting, take a close-up look at this fascinating class of organisms along with a few of their relatives. Find out amazing fun facts, experience the world with insect senses, and learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly ones too! Great fun for kids. Instructor: Nancy Wottrich, FSSP Education Coordinator.

Sunday, September 14, 1– 4 pm - STONE WALL RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION
Stone walls can be found all over Susquehanna County and were important in our agricultural history. Yet as they fall into disrepair, many are vanishing from the landscape. Dedicated individuals are working to preserve the art and maintain this unique local feature. This workshop will address the fundamentals of restoring and constructing stone walls through a slide presentation followed by hands-on experience in the field. Gloves provided. Program fee: $20. Limited enrollment - pre-registration required. Instructor: Ken Ely, Stone Wall Builder.

Fall - Winter schedule will be posted in late September

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