Weekend Activities: Blackwater Falls

Enjoy these activities July 1-2, 2022 at Blackwater Falls State Park. All Activities meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted.

Friday, July 1, 2022
Nature Center Open: 11 am—5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.
NATURALIST LOOP WALK
Join the park naturalist, Paulita, at the trailhead of Elakala Trail (near Blackwater Lodge) for an interpretive walk along a section of three trails: Elakala, Balanced and Shay. About 90 minutes, 2 miles. YPP

11:00 a.m.
TIE DYE AN ORB
Join the staff to create a tie dye glass ornament. Craft fee: $3.00

12:30 p.m.
WATER WONDERS
Join the summer naturalist, Kenny, at Blackwater Lodge to learn about the water cycle and the connections between the water cycle and all living things with this fun game. About 30 minutes. YPP

1:00 p.m..
CSI: CREEK SCENE INVESTIGATION
Naturalist, Kenny Noland meets you in Blackwater Falls Lodge, Lobby to walk to Shay Run in
search for creek critters. You will get WET! Sturdy shoes recommended. About 1 hour. YPP

1:30 p.m.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CRAFT
Join the staff to create a wood gingerbread house. Craft fee: $2.00

2:00 p.m. LEAF A LONG HIKE
Join park naturalist Paulita Cousin to learn about tree identification and more around the area and along trails. About 1 hour, 1 mile. YPP

3:30 p.m.
TREE NATURE FILM & PAINTING
Join the staff to learn How trees “talk” to each other and where a tree is located that is older than the pyramids while painting large leaves. Craft fee: $1.00. About 30 minutes. YPP

Saturday, July 2, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10 am—5:00 p.m.
MOUNTAINEER DAYS 4th of JULY FESTIVAL
THOMAS WV
Visit: https://www.wvmountaineerdays.com/ for information, schedule and fireworks.

10:00 a.m.
AMPHIBIANS OF THE WOODS
Join Kenny, Seasonal naturalist, at Sled Run Fire Circle, to enter the woods and active- ly search for amphibians (and perhaps a reptile!). Kenny will assist in identifying the local herps, along with, instructing correct techniques to handling herps and searching for herps. About1 hour, some walking in a wooded setting. Come herp with us! YPP

10:30 a.m.
FAMILY FUN SCAVENGER HUNT
Pick up list of things to take a selfie with and a list of things to find in the park. Return to Nature
Center at 2:00 p.m. to go over list and winner announced. Winner receives a novelty prize.

11:00 a.m.
TWISTED TIE DYE
Join the staff to create your own Blackwater Falls souvenir tie dye craft. Adult Size shirts $10.00, Youth size shirts $8.00. sizes limited.

1:00 p.m.
BLACK BEAR AWARE AND CRAFT
Join park naturalist, Paulita, to learn about our state mammal and how to keep the bear and you safe in bear habitat. A replica bear claw necklace craft n’ go is available at the conclusion of the program.. About 1 hour. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

2:30 p.m.
BUTTERFLIES AND WINGS
Join the Park naturalist to hear about butterflies and our state butterfly. Create a pair of child size “stained glass” wings. The use of a utility knife requires an adult to assist their child. Craft fee: $3.00 YPP

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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