AUDUBON EVENT:

BLUEBIRD WALKS

WHERE:Rider Park

WHEN: Tuesday, July 1 at 7:30 a.m. (Bluebird Walk #2) … Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30 a.m. (Bluebird Walk #3).

NOTES: Join Bruce Buckle and Fred Stiner for an exciting bluebird nest box inspection walk at Rider Park. Explore the 26 nest boxes scattered throughout the park and dive into the fascinating world of bluebird habits, along with insights on tree swallows and wrens.

With binoculars in hand, you’ll have the chance to spot other captivating birds as we stroll along. The program is free and open to the public.

For more details, visit www.lycomingaudubon.org.

SMART FISHING

WHERE: Little Pine State Park

WHEN: Friday, July 4 at 3:30 p.m.

NOTES: Have kids and want to introduce them to the sport of fishing? The program ‘SMART Fishing,’ which will be held on July 4 at Little Pine State Park, is geared toward teaching others to be responsible anglers.

All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. The program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines.

Those interested should meet at the boat launch of Little Pine Reservoir.

FIREFLIES

WHERE: Little Pine State Park and Hyner Run State Park

WHEN: Friday, July 4 at 8:30 p.m. (Little Pine) and Saturday, July 5 at 8:30 p.m. (Hyner Run)

NOTES: Join the park naturalist to learn about fireflies and why they light up nature during this time of the year. All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

The program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new state or community guidelines.

Those interested in the Little Pine program should meet at the amphitheater. Those interested in the Hyner Run program should meet at the amphitheater by the pool. Please bring a lawn chair.

TROUT OF HYNER

WHERE: Hyner Run State Park

WHEN: Saturday, July 5 at 3:30 p.m.

NOTES: Join the park naturalist and learn about the different trout of Hyner. This will involve a walk to the stream.

Afterward, we may have some time to share fish stories.

All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

The program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. Those interested should meet by the pool.

NATURE JOURNALING AT RIDER PARK

WHERE: Rider Park

WHEN: Wednesday, July 16 (5:30-7 p.m.) … Saturday, Aug. 2 (9-11 a.m.)

NOTES: Join the James V. Brown Library and Rider Park manager Sara Street to explore plants around the meadow, observe trees, birds and pollinators up close. Then create a nature journal using quick sketches and watercolors. This is a family friend free event.

To register please visit calendar.jvbrown.edu.

The rain date for July 16 will be July 18. The rain date for August 2 will be August 3. The same times will be for each as listed.

FREE BIRDING EVENTS

IN SULLIVAN COUNTY

WHERE: Various locations (read below)

WHEN: Throughout July and August

NOTES: Loyalsock Foundation is partnering with local bird enthusiasts and the Lycoming Audubon Society to deliver a series of birding walks and programs this summer. We invite the community to celebrate our winged friends at The Summit: Center for Wellness campus in Laporte.

• JULY 1-31: Summit Bird Safari photo challenge (online)

• JULY-AUGUST: Backyard Bird Chronicles Book Club

• JULY 17: Creating bird collages

• AUGUST 14: Birding Walk led by Sara Street

• AUGUST 15: The Big Year Midday Movie Matinee at the Sullivan County Library

More information is available at www.loyalsockfoundation.org.

CLAY BIRDHOUSE

WHERE: Rider Park

WHEN: Tuesday, July 8; Thursday, July 10; Tuesday, July 15; and Thursday, July 17 from 6-8 p.m. (must attend all sessions)

NOTES: Join Kathy Sterngold for an immersive four-session workshop with Lycoming Arts at Rider Park where you’ll shape, sculpt and personalize a handmade clay birdhouse — a perfect blend of art and function.

No prior experience is needed. Just bring your creativity. The Audubon Society will be giving talks about birds and habitat.

The cost is $104 per person and the event is limited to 20 participants.

Those interested should register for the workshop at https://www.lycomingarts.org/rpw2025.

OUTDOOR REC

SUMMER CAMP

WHERE: Little Pine State Park

WHEN: Wednesday, July 9 through Friday, July 11 at 4 p.m. each day

NOTES: Kids in grades nine through 12 are invited to an Outdoor Rec Summer camp taking place at Little Pine State Park. Join educators from Little Pine State Park for three evenings of outdoor recreation instruction on July 9-11 from 4-8 p.m. each night.

There will be opportunities to discover a new activity each night, including archery, fishing and kayaking/canoeing and primitive skills.

Registration is required and priority will be given to participants that can make it to all three nights. This event is limited to 15 kids and all materials will be provided.

Sign ups will last until July 1. Those interested can register at: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/outdoor-recreation-summer-camp.

SUMMER WILDFLOWERS

WHERE: Hyner Run State Park

WHEN: Saturday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m.

NOTES: Take a stroll around Hyner Run State Park with the naturalist to see the different summer wildflowers. All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

The program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new community or state guidelines. Those interested should meet by the pool.

WORLD OF BATS

WHERE: Hyner Run State Park

WHEN: Saturday, July 12 at 8:15 p.m.

NOTES: There will be a program entitled World of Bats that will be focusing on some of the bats’ adaptions, myths about baths and a fungus that is threatening their population.

There will also be a bat count, weather permitting.

All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. The program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines.

Those interested should meet at the amphitheater by the pool.

HYNER HISTORY

HAPPENINGS

WHERE: Hyner Run State Park

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NOTES: Join the naturalist and guest speakers for late morning and afternoon of local history. There will be five programs dealing with the local history of the area including a CCC Program which is ongoing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be presented by Rowan Crisp, Education and Outreach Administrator for Lumber Heritage Region.

There will be a scavenger hunt-like approach to learning about the CCC Camp in Hyner Run State Park and others. There will also be a general history of the area ongoing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be presented by Lou Bernard, overseer of Adult Services at Ross Library and local historian. It will include some of the interesting stories and folklore around the Hyner area.

A paper making program will be ongoing and will be presented by Lin Greenaway, Forester of the Sproul State Forest. This will look into some quick history of paper making in the area while also demonstrating how to make paper now.

An ongoing logging program will take place and will be presented by Jennifer Haines, Museum Educator at Pennsylvania Logging Museum. It will be about the logging industry in the area and some of the tools used.

Another ongoing program will be a program consisting of branding tree cookies for a memento to take home and will be presented by Hyner Run campground hosts. Feel free to come to all programs or go to some and take a dip in the pool.

All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate in the program. The program may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new state or community guidelines. All programs will be held in the lawn near the amphitheater by the pool. Some may be moved to Pavilion No. 1 in case of rain.

DEEP GREEN JOURNEY

SENIOR BACKPACKING

WHERE: See notes below.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 15-Wednesday, July 16

NOTES: This trip is designed to encourage you to come out on an adventure that is designed for you. We will ensure a light pack, a leisurely pace and a fairly level trail that encourages us to look up and around, enjoying our time as we journey together.

The total hike is about 2 1/2 miles and bathroom accommodations allow participants to sit if needed.

The trip costs $225 per person and all backpack equipment and food is provided. We will meet at Faith UM Church in Montoursville to outfit everyone and then carpool to the trailhead just north of Williamsport.

Those interested can register online at www.deepgreenjourney.com.

DEEP GREEN JOURNEY

YOGA BACKPACK

WHERE: See notes below.

WHEN: Saturday, July 26-Sunday, July 27

NOTES: Come join Deep Green Journey as we adventure into the forest with two wonderful practices to help us center, notice and open our hearts and minds. You need no prior experience in yoga or backpacking.

Melissa Madera will lead us in yoga practices along the trail and in camp as we settle in for a night and begin our day. All food and equipment is provided.

The cost is $275 per person. The group will meet Saturday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at Pine Grove Furnace State Park to distribute equipment and then travel to the trailhead.

Those interested should register at www.deepgreenjourney.com.