Things to do at Blackwater Falls State Park celebrates West Virginia. Join the fun June 18 – 21, 2022. All Activities meet at Harold Walters Nature Center at Blackwater Falls State Park unless otherwise noted in description.

Saturday, June 18, 2022
Nature Center Open: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
Blue and Gold tie Dye
Make your own Blackwater Falls State
Park souvenir Tie Dye T-Shirt! West
Virginia Themed or your own creation.
$10.00 adult size, $8.00 youth size

12:00 p.m.
I spy Way up High
Create a weather window and explore the world of clouds. Afterwards, venture outside to find a comfortable location to lie back and relax as we discuss the clouds and allow our imagination to create shapes. About 45 minutes. Little walking. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

1:30 p.m.
Irish Road Bowling Fun
Irish Road Bowling is primarily played in County Armagh in Northern Ireland and in County Cork in Southern Ireland. It consists of a ball made of iron and steel that is heavy
enough to pick up speed, yet small enough for any person to handle. Besides the basic rules and terms, all you do is hurl this 28 oz. “bowl” with an underhand motion over a 1 to 2-mile country road and see how far it goes! Scored like golf, the fewest number of shots from the start to the finish line wins. $5.00 deposit required for bowl. Fun for the entire
family! Pack extra water. Meet in the picnic area near cabin 27 just past the Trading Post entrance.

2:00 p.m.
“Celebrate West Virginia”
Mick Souter is an energetic and multi-instrumentalist that combines stories and songs that both entertain and educate. Come join the fun to celebrate the history, culture and people
of West Virginia through folk tunes and tales at the trailhead to Blackwater Falls Boardwalk (Trading Company) Souter’s one man show kicks off the
anniversary weekend of the founding of West Virginia. FREE and open to the public. Please, bring a chair if available-some will be provided. Event will be outdoors weather permitting, otherwise, moved to Blackwater Falls Lodge. YPP

4:00 p.m.
Pepperoni Rolls & Flames
Join naturalist Kenny, to have fun with hot sparks , perhaps a little West Virginia Trivia and enjoy a West Virginia favorite food. About 1 hour. YPP

5:00 p.m.
Disappearing Stars
Join the park naturalist to discover why the stars are disappearing from our view and what is the solution? 45 minutes. YPP

7:30 p.m. A Mother’s Heart Divided
Maisie Twigg lived on a farm in the mountains of western VA in 1860. Her life is drastically changed when her husband Johnny joins the Union army, while her son Willie marches off with Confederate soldiers, telling his mother that he is fighting for the true Virginia. It will tug at your heartstrings as one mother’s heart is divided in two by opposing loyalties, while hearing how West Virginia became a state. Nineteen Civil War era songs weave this moving story together. Written and performed by JoAnn F. Peterson, accompanied on guitar by Tom Peterson. Free and Open to the Public in Blackwater Falls Lodge. YPP

Sunday, June 19, 2022
Nature Center Open: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.
Family Fun Scavenger Hunt
Pick up a list of things to take a selfie with and a list of things to find in the park. Return to the Nature Center at 3:00 p.m. to go over the list and the winner is announced. Winner
receives a novelty prize.

11:00 a.m.
BINGO with assistant Brittany.
Enjoy some family fun with a traditional game. Small novelty prize to winner(s). FREE

1:00 p.m.
Sit n’ Go Nature
Its a brief introduction to the porcupine. Yes! porcupines. About 15 minutes. YPP

1:30 P.M.
Sand Art
Use colorful sand on a pre-designed picture, create your own picture or create a necklace. Free pictures, necklace $1.00.

3:00 p.m.
Logging History
Kenny weaves the stories about the Blackwater/Tucker County area logging history. About 45 minutes. YPP

Monday, June 20, 2022
Nature Center Open: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.
Tree Nature Film & Fingerpainting
Experience a short half hour video about trees then finger- paint an extra large leaf. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

1:00 P.M.
Log Cabin Craft
Craft, stain and glue together a decorative wood cabin. Cabin can be converted into “gingerbread house.” Craft fee: $10.00 for wooden log cabin. A low-cost Wood Gingerbread house is available to purchase for $3.00.

2:30 p.m.
The Magic of Snowy Owl
It is an inspiring nature film that reveals the survival skills and determination of this Artic bird made popular by Harry Potter’s faithful companion Hedwig . YPP

Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Nature Center Open: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.
Fern and Fern Allies Walk
Join park naturalist, Paulita, on the front porch of Nature Center , to walk around the area to look for some of the ferns found in our woods and their allies. About 45 minutes. YPP

11:30 a.m.
Fireflies
Lightning bugs! Fireflies/lightning bugs/glowworms and reasons they are declining. Naturalist Paulita Cousin shares encouraging words about this beetle. Afterwards, create a glowing firefly to take home. Craft fee: $3.00 YPP

3:00 p.m.
Leaf IQ- & Craft
Join the naturalist to investigate and identify trees from leaves. Enjoy a tree themed craft with a program for $2.00. About 1 hour. YPP

All Month.
All five planets that can be seen with just your eyes are visible in a line during late June. All but Mercury are visible in a line all month. In the line from the horizon up: bright Mercury, super bright Venus, reddish Mars, very bright Jupiter, and yellowish Saturn. The planets appear approximately in a line because they all orbit in approximately the same plane with Earth.

Ask the naturalists about the YPP (Young People for Parks Program) activities and participation acknowledgement.

Reserve lodging online: