The Deep Creek Blog

Herrington Manor Cabin Renovations to Start Mid-July

Herrington Manor State Park will be renovating 10 of its 20 historic cabins starting mid July. The maintenance was originally scheduled to start in March but has been postponed. All of the cabins will be open for reservations now through July 8, 2013.

The renovations, to be complete in December 2013, will completely makeover the cabins’ interiors.

Those interested in making a reservation at Herrington Manor State Park should contact the park directly at 301-334-9180 or the reservation service at 1-888-432-2267. Some of the cabins may be reopened earlier as the work is completed. 
 

Camp Hosts Wanted at New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park is currently seeking applicants for a volunteer Camp Host position for the 2013 camping season.  Camp Hosts are a valuable part of the volunteer team at the park.  Hosts provide assistance with a variety of tasks throughout the camping season, including welcoming new campers, keeping campsites and fire rings clean, promoting park programs and events, and providing campers with general information about the park and surrounding area.  Camp Hosts are required to contribute at least 20 hours of volunteer work each week, for a minimum of four weeks.  In return for their efforts, Camp Hosts receive a free campsite with electric hook-ups.  The Camp Host site is located in the White Oak Loop of the campground, where pets are prohibited.  Interested persons are encouraged to apply at the New Germany Ranger Station.  A background check is required.

 For more information, please call 301-895-5453.

 

February at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center

Sunday, February 3rd 

11:00 a.m. “February Reading Series” Story and Craft.  Join in and listen to a seasonal or nature story and then complete a craft! $2 per child. 40 minutes.

2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Aviary Encounter Get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Learn some interesting facts and hear stories!  Check in at the Discovery as location is subject to change due to weather.

Saturday, February 9th  

11:00 a.m. Animal and a Craft Get up close and personal with one of the animals that lives in the Discovery Center and then do a craft related to the animal.

2:00 p.m.  Bird Feeder Watch and Pine Cones Join the Naturalist as we watch the bird feeder to spot our flying friends eating a snack! You will also make your our own bird feeder to take home. .40min.

Sunday, February 10th 

11:00 a.m. “February Reading Series” Story and Craft .  Join in and listen to a seasonal or nature story and then complete a craft! $2 per child. 40 minutes.

2:00 p.m. Creating an Owl Join the Naturalist as we talk about the adaptations of owls. Meet one of ours and then create your own owl.

Saturday, February 16th  

11:00 a.m. Gone Batty Join the Naturalist to learn about the history of these flying mammals as well as the problems they are facing today.

2:00 a.m. “February Reading Series” Story and Craft .  Join in and listen to a seasonal or nature story and then complete a craft! $2 per child. 40 minutes.

Sunday, February 17th  

2:00 p.m. Aviary Encounter Get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Learn some interesting facts and hear stories!  Check in at the Discovery as location is subject to change due to weather.

Saturday, February 23rd  

11:00 a.m. Critter Encounter Join us at the beginning of every hour as we feed and learn about one of the critters that live in the center. You’ll even be given a chance to touch these animals!

2:00 p.m.  Bird Feeder Watch and Pine Cones Join the Naturalist as we watch the bird feeder to spot our flying friends eating a snack! You will also make your our own bird feeder to take home. 40min.

Sunday, February 24th  

11:00 a.m. “February Reading Series” Story and Craft .  Join in and listen to a seasonal or nature story and then complete a craft! $2 per child. 40 minutes.

2:00 p.m. Creating an Owl Join the Naturalist as we talk about the adaptations of owls. Meet one of ours and then create your own owl.

MPS Launches Operation: CAMPOUT! Program for Military Families and Wounded Warriors

The Maryland Park Service (MPS) has launched OPERATION: CAMPOUT!, a new program that provides basic camping gear, free of charge, to service members and their families in and around the State. The initiative is funded in partnership with The North Face: Explore Your Parks, a program that encourages families to get outdoors and enjoy state parks across the country.

OPERATION: CAMPOUT! is currently offered at five State parks in Maryland: Swallow Falls, New Germany, Rocky Gap, Patapsco Valley, and Pocomoke River. The program is for service members, many of whom are stationed at nearby military installations or recovering at facilities across the State or in close proximity to Maryland. Each park is equipped with gear lockers stocked with essential equipment to camp - a six-person North Face tent, camp pads, chairs, a cook stove, a lantern and roasting sticks for marshmallows or hot dogs.

MPS has been in partnership with The North Face: Explore Your Parks since the program’s launch in 2010. Explore Your Parks was created to encourage Americans to get outside and enjoy the close-to-home recreation that State Parks offer. Through options such as Activity Guides, Park Passes, and Camping programs, Explore Your Parks helps people to discover the unique sights, activities, and wildlife within their own State Parks. More information and resources are available at www.exploreyourparks.com.

Service members who would like to participate in the program can reserve their campsite (prices vary by park) and camping gear (at no charge) by contacting the park directly.  Listed below are Garrett County parks that are participating:

Swallow Falls State Park 301-387-6938
New Germany State Park 301-895-5453

 
More information on the program is available at dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/armed_forces.asp.

May at The Discovery Center

Sunday, May 6

11:00 a.m. Breakfast of Creepy Crawlies! Join the Naturalist at the Discovery Center for a morning of feeding the snakes, turtles and frogs! Learn about what they eat in the wild and what helps them survive!

1:30 p.m. Swimming with fishes. Learn about the fish that live in Deep Creek Lake with the Naturalist!  Learn how fish live and look! Complete your learning with some fish prints to take home to all of your friends and family!

Friday, May 11

8:00 a.m. Birding at Sang Run You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through Friends Delight.  Bring binoculars and meet at the Kayak launch. Experienced and Beginner birders are welcomed!

Saturday, May 12  

What’s that habitat? Hab-a-what? Learn what a habitat is and how humans and animals share space and resources. Guests can create their own drawings to bring home for family and friends!      

1:30 a.m. Wildlife Investigation This self guided program allows you to become a detective for the nature world.  Open your eyes and see the clues left behind by nature.  Can you tell the difference between the details and solve the puzzle?

Sunday, May 13             

11:00 a.m. Inside the Shell. Meet the Naturalist at the Discovery Center for a morning full of turtles! Learn cool facts about these reptiles while watching them eat and even getting the chance to touch these critters!

1:30p.m. Aviary Encounter Come to the aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Learn some interesting facts and hear stories. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!

Friday, May 18             
8:00 a.m. Birding at Sang Run You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through Friends Delight.  Bring binoculars and meet at the Kayak launch. Experienced and Beginner birders are welcomed!

Saturday, May 19                           
1:30 p.m. Spring Walk in the Woods. Join the Naturalist for a hike the Snake Root Trail, approximate ½ Mille.

Sunday, May 20                           
All day Scavenger Hunt and Wildlife Investigation.

 

Saturday, May 26                           
11:00a.m. Swimming with the Fishes.

7:00 p.m. Campfire Program Come to the amphitheater for Scales and Tales Program. Get up close and personal with our birds of prey and snakes and reptiles! At the end of the presentation there will marshmallows!

Sunday, May 27             
11:00 a.m. Breakfast of Creepy Crawlies! Join the Naturalist at the Discovery Center for a morning of feeding the snakes, turtles and frogs! Learn about what they eat in the wild and what helps them survive!

1:30 p.m. Nature Games! Come to the Discovery Center to join the Naturalist for fun and active games that relates to wild animal’s survival and how they use their surroundings!

Monday, May 28                           
1:30p.m. Aviary Encounter Come to the aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Learn some interesting facts and hear stories. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!

Camp Hosts Wanted at New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park is seeking applicants for a Camp Host position for the 2012 camping season.  Camp Hosts are a valuable part of the volunteer team at the park.  Hosts provide assistance with a variety of tasks throughout the camping season, including welcoming new campers, keeping campsites clean, promoting park programs and events, and providing campers with general information about the park and surrounding area.  Camp Hosts are required to contribute at least twenty hours of volunteer work each week, for a minimum of four weeks.  In return for their efforts, Camp Hosts receive a free campsite with electric hook-ups.  Interested persons are encouraged to apply at the New Germany Ranger Station.  A background check is required. For more information, please call 301-895-5453.

NRP Urges Safety Over Holiday Weekend

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) reminds citizens to make safety a priority during the last holiday weekend of the summer.

“Labor Day is the unofficial transition from summer to fall activities,” said Col. George Johnson IV. “Families will continue to enjoy camping, boating and fishing in the cooler September weather, and, as various hunting seasons begin, we urge everyone to make safety the top priority while enjoying any of these activities.”

Maryland has experienced a usually high number of boating deaths this year and NRP will step up its enforcement in an effort to maintain safe waterways. Over the weekend, NRP will focus their enforcement effort on those activities that contribute to boating accidents, such as alcohol, negligent operation, bow riding and navigational violations.

The cooler weather signals a renewed interest in camping and park recreation during the fall. NRP reminds State Park and campground visitors to obey the law and be courteous to other visitors. Hikers and campers should inform friends or relatives of their plans before they depart, including destination and trip length. This information will assist NRP if campers/hikers do not return on time.

September is the start of several hunting seasons, including dove, early resident goose, squirrel and deer seasons. NRP reminds hunters to always think about safety before entering the field, marsh or woodlands. Remember to always point the muzzle of your weapon in a safe direction and identify your target before pulling the trigger.  Also, always use a fall restraint system when hunting from elevated platforms.  First time hunters are reminded of the requirement to complete a hunter safety course before going hunting.   For more information on hunting safety courses please visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/hunter_education.asp.

Visit Maryland State Parks with a Park Passport

The 2010 Maryland State Park Passports are now available online.  A passport gets you unlimited day-use entry for up to 10 people in your vehicle at state parks with a 2010 Maryland State Park Passport. Buy it now online and use it for the remainder of this year. The passport is $75 for state residents, $100 for non-residents. You also get unlimited boat launching and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. __________________________________________________________________________________________

2009 Maryland State Park Passports

Enjoy three months worth of free visits with a purchase of a 2009 Maryland State Park Passport. 
Individuals who purchase a 2009 Maryland State Park Passport now, may visit any Maryland State Park for free for the next three months.   This is perfect for hikers, boaters, and picnickers as the passport gives unlimited day-use entry for up to nine people in a vehicle to any of Maryland's 49 state parks; free boat launching at all facilities; and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. Click here for details. <http://www.easycart.net/MarylandDepartmentofNaturalResources/Park_Passes.html>

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Green Camping Tips

Patty Manown Mash sent over this useful link to some green camping tips.

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Welcome Double G RV Park and D&W Storage

Welcome Double G RV Park and D&W Storage to the Deep Creek Blog Business Directory.  The RV park is located in McHenry, just a short distance from Deep Creek Lake.  Each site is equipped with water, electric, sewage, cable television, a fire ring, picnic table and gravel pad.  Pets are also welcome.   The Park also contains a bathhouse, laundry facility, camp store, L.P. Gas, and a playground.  Boat and RV Storage is also available.  Seasonal campers enjoy unlimited use from May 1 until October 31 with free exterior boat storage (in season and one per site only).  For more details about Double G RV Park visit www.doublegrvpark.com.

Store your RV, boat or jet ski at D&W Storage, located at Double G RV Park.  They offer both indoor and outdoor storage in the summer and indoor storage only in the winter.  In the summer, storage is offered conveniently by the day, week or month.  For rates and more details visit http://www.doublegrvpark.com/storage.php.

State Parks Offer Green Trash Bags to Visitors

The Maryland Park Service now offers environmentally-friendly trash-free bags in all state parks for visitors use. Composed of bio-plastics which are derived from renewable plants such as corn or tapioca, these bags will decompose in 6 to 10 months -- a much greener alternative to the standard, oil-based plastic bags previously used.

Maryland State Parks remain trash-free, meaning that any materials brought into the park by visitors must also leave with them. As a courtesy, the Maryland Park Service provides bags for visitors to easily store their trash until they reach a recycling or trash receptacle outside of the park. For more information, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/outdooradventures/lnt.html.

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Great American Backyard Campout Day in Maryland

Today is the Great American Backyard Campout Day in Maryland.  Children and families are encouraged to embark on an outdoor adventure either in their favorite state park, a private campground or in their own backyard.

“Summer months can be the best time for children and their families to enjoy the outdoors together,” said Governor O’Malley. “State parks and forests all across Maryland offer affordable recreational activities for people of all walks of life and Great American Campout Day creates another great reason for friends and families to learn and play together outdoors.”

“Overnight camping is a great way to immerse yourself in Maryland’s natural wonders,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Last year, 735,465 campers took advantage of the affordable, accessible overnight facilities at state parks and forests.”

Maryland’s state parks, forests and other public lands offer more than 2,340 affordable campsites and 129 cabins.  Camping reservations can be made online at www.dnr.maryland.gov or by calling 1-888-432-2267. 

For a complete list of state parks that offer camp sites and facilities, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/campinginfo.html.  For more information about Great American Campout Day visit www.backyardcampout.org.

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Maryland's Waterfalls

The Daily Record began a three part series yesterday on Maryland's waterfalls, starting with Great Falls in Montgomery County.  Look for Garrett County's falls to follow. 

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Make Your 2008 State Park Reservations On Line

The State Park Reservation System was recently upgraded and is online and ready to serve your reservation needs. Last year almost 90% of state park reservations were made online. Visit the system at http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us.

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