By Staff
State park to host programs everyweekend in August
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles &Features Editor
GOOSE CREEK STATE PARK — The creatures of Goose Creek State Park will be in the spotlight during August when the park offers a full schedule of programs and activities for all ages.
The free programs are held most Saturdays and Sundays.
Some of the activities are specially geared toward children, including the Tot Discovery and Young Naturalists programs.
The month’s events kick off Aug. 2 with a “Frogs &Toads” program at 10 a.m. The program will address the question of whether there is a difference between a frog and a toad, as well as take a look at creatures that inhabit the park. The 45-minute program, suitable for all ages, will be held in the Environmental Education and Visitor Center.
On Aug. 3, park staff will host a discussion concerning “Friendly Forest Fires” beginning at 3 p.m. in the visitor center. During the hour-long program, a ranger will take a look at the issues arising from wildfire — such as the one in the Pocosin Wildlife Refuge now burning into its third month — and how nature bounces back from such devastation.
The month’s first Tot Discovery program is scheduled for Aug. 9 with a study of hummingbirds. The youngsters will discover how hummingbirds fly, look at how small their nests are and — if the birds cooperate — watch them in action at the feeders outside the center.
Another Tot Discovery event, this one a study of “Jumping Crickets and Other Insects,” will take a look at which insects jump the farthest and the highest. It will begin at 10 a.m. on Aug. 23.
Tot Discovery programs are offered for children between 3 and 5 years old. Included are a story, craft and discovery time.
For older children, the park hosts Young Naturalists activities for visitors between 6 and 12 years old.
The first, titled “Different Animals, Different Homes,” offer youngsters the opportunity to learn about the four habitats found at Goose Creek State Park. The Aug. 10 event begins at 3 p.m. and includes a hike to search for wildlife homes in the area.
The second Young Naturalists activity, planned for Aug. 30 at 10 a.m., is “The Rainstick.” Participants will build their own rainstick from items found in the environment and hear a story about a young boy’s adventure as he searches for rain. Each child attending the program should bring a medium-sized mailing tube for the craft activity.
Other programs suitable for all ages round out the August calender of events.
On Aug. 17 at 3 p.m., a ranger will lead a hike along the Palmetto Boardwalk during “Discovering Dragonflies.” A Sunday afternoon of “Fishing with a Ranger” is planned for Aug. 24, beginning at 3 p.m. And on Aug. 31, visitors are invited to create their own colorful T-shirt; participants must bring their own plain shirt, and be forewarned — this is a messy activity dress accordingly. That program bgins at 3 p.m.
Since the park has to limit the number of participants in some of the programs — including T-shirt printing, fishing and the rainstick activity — preregistration is encouraged.
For more information about Goose Creek State Park and its programs, call (252) 923-2191.