The Deep Creek Blog

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.

Deep Creek Lake State Park Seeks Volunteers for Trail Clean Up on June 2

Deep Creek Lake State Park Rangers and Garrett Trails’ sustainable crew invite participants to join them as they clean and enhance area trails on June 2 in celebration of the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day.

“The 2012 National Trail Day theme is America’s Largest TRAILgating Party,” said Ranger David Best. “Garrett Trails and Deep Creek State Park are moving the party off the pavement to where the scenery is greener and the air is fresher.”

Participants will enjoy Deep Creek Lake State Park and share in the natural beauty of Garrett County as they join forces with Rangers of the Maryland Park Service, and Garrett Trails sustainable trail crew and interpretive staff members. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, tools, energy and enthusiasm for pruning branches, moving rocks, raking, grading and sprucing-up Meadow Mountain and Brant Mine Trails for the summer season.

“This is a day to come together outdoors to give back to the trails in our region,” said Theresa MacLennan, Garrett Trails Executive Director. “Discover, enjoy and care for the public lands trail system in Deep Creek Lake State Park.”

Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at Deep Creek State Park’s upper overflow parking lot, off of State Park Road. Staff recommends that participants bring water, insect repellant, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing and a snack. The event should last to about 12 p.m. More information is available by contacting Best at 301-387-5563 or MacLennan at 360-509-3492.

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!

First Hikes in MD State Parks

Don't forget the State Park system is sponsoring a day of "First Hikes" on New Years Day. 

Take a First Day Hike in a State Park

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hikes on January 1, 2012.  

Local State Parks will participate in America's State Parks First Day Hike Programs on New Year’s Day 2012. America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a guided hike on January 1, 2012 at a state park.  

Below is a list of opportunities to participate within  Garrett County.  

Deep Creek Lake State Park First Day Hike - First Day on the Lake
Time of Event:  2 p.m.
Hike will last approximately 1 hour.
Meeting Location: Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: The length of this hike will depend upon the weather conditions of the day.
Things to Bring: It is recommended that participants bring snowshoes or ice cleats to wear for those types of conditions. Participants should come prepared to be outside for an extended period of time in possibly very cold and windy weather conditions and bring drinking water.
Cancellation Information: Call Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at 301-387-7067.
Additional Information: Take a shoreline walk with a Ranger on the first day of the new year. Walkers will learn about lake surface ice, what happens in the water under the ice during winter, and other tidbits about lakes in winter.

New Germany State Park First Day Hike - Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Time of Event:
1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour
Meeting Location: Meet at New Germany State Park Lake House
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages.  Minimum age for kids: Age 4
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
Cancellation Information: Call New Germany State Park at 301-895-5453.
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome

Swallow Falls State Park First Day Hike - Realm of the Ice King
Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour.
Meeting Location: Meet at the main parking lot.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
Cancellation Information: Call Herrington Manor State Park at 301-334-9180
Additional Information: See the falls in their winter dress. Rangers will discuss what we are doing to help protect this fragile eco-system. Not many people get to see the falls this time of year, so it should be a great treat!

Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River First Day Hike - First Day on the River
Time of Event: 10 a.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at Friendsville access point.  Parking is limited. Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk for families of all ages
Length of Trail: The length of this hike will be determined by the weather conditions that day.
Things to Bring: Participants should wear footwear for snow and ice conditions. Participants should come prepared to be outside for an extended period of time in possibly very cold and windy weather conditions and bring drinking water.
Cancellation Information: Call the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at 301-387-7067
Additional Information: Take a riverside walk with a Ranger to celebrate the start of a new year. This walk is on a level path.

 

Grant to Construct Hiking/Biking Trail in Garrett County Announced

U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to Garrett County to construct a hiking/biking trail. The County expects 27,000 people annually to use the trail, which will greatly benefit the area's tourism industry and other local businesses.

ARC funds will be used to construct a 1,100-foot long paved trail between the Visitor Center in McHenry to the Fork Run Trailhead, and enable safe travel for users to access the WISP Resort, the Adventure Sports Center, and visit local businesses along Route 219. The connector trail will also link to the Continental Divide Loop Trail system, a 150-mile, multi-user, multi-surface trail connecting to the Great Allegheny Passage to the north.  The project includes construction of a trailhead kiosk with benches and bike racks.

In addition to ARC funds, the state will provide $23,000, and local sources will provide $27,000, bringing the total project funding to $100,000. The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of the Appalachian region to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. 

Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center Happenings

Visit the Western Garrett State Park Volunteer's web site for a complete listing of Deep Creek Lake State Park events for the rest of the months.  You'll find some great activities and classes, such as tomorrow's "Dare to Cook with Iron".  Also, Friends Delight store is open Saturday through Monday from 10am - 4pm.  

Garrett Trails Update

Want to know what Garrett Trails has been up to?  Here is a video sent over by Brad Nesline, outlining some new trails being built in Garrett County.  

Take a Tweethike with MDtrails

If you're interested in learning more about places to hike, bike, paddle, ski, snowshoe..well just about any outdoor activity that involves a trail, you'll want to visit MDtrails.com  Created by Leo Edmiston-Cyr, MD Trails is an interactive website devoted to providing comprehensive information regarding all trails in Maryland. 

The site offers some interesting ways to get trail information, including the use of social media along with visitor participation and contribution.  Below are some of the features the site offers. 

Tweethikes -  Tweethikes allow you to follow hikes in real time via Twitter as contributors make their way along a trail.  The Tweethike provides useful information for anyone planning to visit the trail in the future.  Even if you're not planning an imminent hike, they still make for an interesting read.   To find a Garrett County trail, visit the "Tags" link and look for "Garrett County".  You'll find aTweethike up on the Meadow Mountain Trail at the Deep Creek Lake State Park as well as Lostland and New Germany State Park.

Trailvoice allows individuals to "adopt" a trail - that is contribute information and keeping information on the site current regarding the trail. 

Trail Talk allows the end user to participate by providing details from their own experiences out on the Maryland trails.

Featured Trail gives businesses an opportunity to sponsor a trail that they are on or nearby.  The business will be featured on the sites trail map, gaining great exposure with folks passing through the area.

Take some time to visit www.mdtrails.com before you set out on your next adventure.