August is Upon Us: Cacapon

August activities at Cacapon State Park include wildlife, art and birds (owls), and a variety of great nature based activities July 31 – August 3, 2023. These activities and others are conducted or begin at the nature center unless noted. Open to the public and free to attend.

Monday, July 31, 2023
10:00AM Tai Chi
This class will help increase balance, flexibility, and focus on connection to mind, body, &
spirit. Location lodge.

9:30AM Ridge Trail Hike
Join summer naturalists on this 1.5 moderate trail. YPP

11:30AM Turtle Talk
Learn about the box turtle and play a fun game and make a craft. YPP

1:30PM Knot-tying
Learn some helpful tips on tying knots for camping or while in the outdoors. YPP

2:30PM The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Learn some fun facts about the red fox, followed by a fun craft. YPP

3:30PM Forest Animal-opoly!
Collect your favorite creatures and play to be the best caretaker of the forest. YPP

Tuesday, August 1, 2023
10:00AM Blue Bird House Monitoring
Conduct a survey with us to observe who is nesting in the blue bird houses. My oh my what a wonderful day to be outside seeing bluebirds.YPP

1:30PM Cacapon Critter Catch
What will we find? We will look for small vertebrates & invertebrates using nets, containers and our critter catcher. Then we will safely look at them through magnifying glasses & microscope then return them where we found them. Always leave no trace! YPP

2:30PM Fire Starting
Learn some different fire building techniques and how to start a fire with flint & steel. YPP

Wednesday, August 2, 2023
10:00AM Fishing 101
Let’s throw a line out! Learn how to tie a hook, cast a line, and maybe catch your first fish. We’ve got the line and we have the poles (and bait provided) or bring your own. YPP

11:30AM WV Owls
Come & learn about owl’s superpowers during this interactive slide show. Afterwards dissect an owl pellet. Yes we’re going to dissect what comes back up. YPP

1:30PM Micro-vision World
Come explore our park from a microscopic point of view. We’ll go on a small trek looking at plants & animals through magnifying glasses, a stereomicroscope for items collected and look at prepared slides in a compound microscope. YPP

3:30PM Knot-tying
Learn some helpful tips on tying knots for camping or while in the outdoors. YPP

Thursday, August 3, 2023
9:15AM Paddle Boat Tour
Take a naturalist-led interpretive tour by water to discover the park’s natural & cultural history. Binoculars provided. $6 per person. Meet at the boat dock rental area. YPP

11:00AM-12:30PM Fearless Drawing Leading to Painting Part 4
Join local artist and volunteer for a free art lesson focusing on geometric shapes of local
flora & fauna.

1:30PM Vegetable Garden Gifts
Let’s explore this week’s vegetables and how you can cook with it. Also explore the garden senses: touch, taste, & smell. YPP

2:30PM Nature Journaling
Create your own nature journal and discover how fun it is to draw, color, or sketch about your favorite things in nature! YPP

3:30PM Friendship Bracelets
Join our summer naturalist for a variety of fun colors and styles of bracelets.

Come and visit the Tom Ambrose Nature Center! The nature center is a great stop for all ages, showcasing exhibits on the park history and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Morgan 1934-41. Other West Virginia natural exhibits include an extensive taxidermy
collection of wildlife- fish, birds, fox, bobcat, mountain lion, deer, elk, and eastern grey wolf!

Also, hands-on sand displays for wildlife tracks and a new geology interactive map to design your own mountains, rivers and lakes. Take a park naturalist guided hike or join the daily
activities!