Bil Lepp & More Activities: Blackwater Falls

Bil Lepp is live at Blackwater Falls July 20. And there are more programs and activities July 18-21, 2022 at Blackwater Falls State Park. From bird walks to ‘Who was Porte Crayon?” It’s all about nature’s wonders and the area. All activities meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted.

Monday, July 18, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
TWISTED TIE-DYE
Join the staff to create your own Blackwater Falls Souvenir t-shirt (white, black or purple shirts). Adult size shirts $10.00, Youth size shirts $8.00

2:00 p.m.
FRIENDSHIP BRACELET
Braid a bracelet using embroidery floss. Not recommended for very young children. FREE

3:00 p.m.
THE BEE MOVIE & CANDLE MAKING
Join the staff to create a candle then watch a movie while it solidifies. Craft fee: $4.00. About 1.5 hours. YPP

Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
SKULLS, SKINS, SCAT AND SLIME!!!!
Join the park naturalist to learn how to identify a predator or prey skull, the purpose of fur and
how to identify scat. Includes the creation of slime during the program. About one hour,YPP

1:00 p.m.
FOX TALES AND CRAFT
Enjoy this nature film about a fox family living in Newfoundland, Canada. About 1 hour. FREE fox puppet craft during program. YPP

3:00 p.m.
FINDING YOUR WAY
Join the naturalist for an introduction to using a map and compass video, hands on activities and perhaps a short practice course around the nature center. About 1 hour. YPP

4:00 p.m.
Compass Craft– Create a cardboard compass to find your way north. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m.
FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNT
Retrieve the list of things to take a selfie with on the park or figure out what item to find on the park. Return to the Nature Center at 2:00 p.m. to go over the list and announce the winner. Winner receives a prize.

11:00 a.m.
WHO WAS PORTE CRAYON?
Join the seasonal naturalist to hear who Porte Crayon was and some of his adventures into the area. About 1 hour. YPP

3:00 p.m.
INTO THE WOODS WITH KENNY
Join the seasonal naturalist for this walk along Balsam Fir Trail. About 1.5 miles. YPP

SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT
7:30 p.m.
BIL LEPP LIvE
Join the park naturalist Paulita Cousin as she welcomes award winning storyteller, author and recording artist BIL LEPP to Blackwater Falls Lodge Conference Center. This is such a great evening of fun and giggles.

Bil is the host of the History Channel Man vs History series, the occasional host of NPR’s internationally syndicated Mountain Stage, and a contributing columnist to West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Bil’s humorous, family friendly tall tales and stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages. Though a five time champion of the WV Liar’s Contest, Lepp’s stories often contain morsels of truth which present themselves in clever and witty ways. About 1 hour. YPP Free to attend. Everyone welcomed.

Thursday, July 21, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
NATURE JOURNALING
The outdoors provides a sitting many people find relaxing and comforting. Join the seasonal naturalist to discover ways to preserve memories of the great outdoors even if you have no artistic talent. There is no wrong way to create! Meet on the side porch of the Nature Center. About 1 hour. Some materials provided during the program. A journal available to purchase for $5.00. YPP

2:00 p.m.
TRUTH OF LIE STROLL
Join us at the trailhead of Gentle Trail as Kenny the Naturalist interprets along the paved trail and it’s up to you to discover what is the truth and what is the lie. About 45 minutes. 1/4 mile. YPP

Upcoming programs include:
Still Dancin’ with Lou, July 27, 2022
Moth Night, July 29, 2022
Geology of WV, August 3 & 4, 2022
Photography Workshop, August 10 & 11, 2022
Perseid Watching, August 11 and 12, 2022

CHECK OUT/BORROW OUR KIDS EXPLORATION BACKPACK

The YPP program is Young People for Parks with a focus on nature education for youth 6-16.
Participating in three YPP activities qualifies the youth for a certificate. Ask the naturalist about this program and other recognitions.

Since 1978, the Harold Walters Nature Center at Blackwater Falls State Park has been facilitating environmental education through the park’s vast natural resources by offering a variety of free to low cost programs designed to assist visitors to learn more about the natural world.

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