Maple Sugaring Weekend at Nixon Park

http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/events/christmas-magic.html

 

 

Maple Sugaring Weekend at Nixon Park is happening Saturday, February 22 from 9:30am-4pm and Sunday, February 23 from 12-4pm.  For $2 per person (free for 5 and under) for both days, your family or group can participate in activities including tours, crafts and more.  Park members are free with their membership card; groups of 10 or more should call 717-428-1961 to pre-register.

The schedule of events includes the following: 

Saturday, February 22-
10am-3pm Tours of the Sugarbush.  Ongoing hourly tours include hands-on demonstrations, pancake eating, a talk by the Hammer Hollow Maplers and a trip to the Red Maple Grove. 

8:30am-dusk Story walk.  Take a short, self-guided tour along a trail through the park to read a story about maple sugaring.  The story is attached to posts throughout the trail. 

10:30am AND 1:30pm Sugarbush Story Time.  Gather in the Nature Center for a maple sugaring story for kids.

Sunday, February 23-
12-3pm Tours of the Sugarbush.  Ongoing hourly tours include hands-on demonstrations, pancake eating, a talk by the Hammer Hollow Maplers and a trip to the Red Maple Grove. 

8:30am-dusk Story walk.  Take a short, self-guided tour along a trail through the park to read a story about maple sugaring.  The story is attached to posts throughout the trail. 

Owl Walk at Nixon Park

Note- this event is appropriate for ages 10 and older.  

Owl Walk at Nixon Park

On Friday, January 17th from 7-9:30 pm at Nixon Park, a wildlife rehabilitator will join staff to give visitors an up-close look at some local species and take you on an outdoor hike to search and call for owls.  

No flashlights, with the exception of deep red-tinted lights, are permitted.  Dress appropriately for the outdoor hike.  While this is a free event, donations to support local wildlife rehabilitation will be accepted.  




























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Stay Home, Stay Warm. 5 Activities to Beat the Winter Blues

Brrrr!

If case you didn't know, it's freezing outside!  The roads are slippery and there are warnings from all the local news stations telling you to stay inside unless you have to be out in this weather.  What is there to do when the weather outside is frightful?  Plenty!  Here are some ideas to get the wheels in your home turning so that these cold winter days aren't full of electronic-playing, bored children.  

1. Make Oobleck.  This is a super fun science activity that just requires water and corn starch and will have you and your kids asking, "is it a liquid or is it a solid?".  
What you'll need: 1 c water, 1.5-2c corn starch.  Optional: food coloring
Directions: start with 1 cup of water and 1.5 cups of corn starch and mix in a bowl.  Add food coloring if you wish.  Submerge a finger (or utensil if you would prefer to stay clean) and if it hardens where you touch it, it's ready.  If it reacts like a solid then add more corn starch.  When it's ready, keep it in the bowl or pour it into a few if you have more than one child.  You could also pour it into a cookie sheet that has sides or a pan.  Anything will do, as long as it can't spill over, because it will!  

Our Oobleck

Play!  You can pour it, roll it into a ball (as long as you use forceful pressure), "walk" across it with your fingers to see if they sink, lay your hand flat across it and watch it sink.  Try to squish a bunch in your hands then stop and watch it liquify.  I've even seen videos where they make a huge amount and have their kids run across it!  It is potentially very messy, but it is really easy to clean up with a damp wash cloth. 

2. Make Snow Ice Cream.  There's snow everywhere, so take advantage!  
What you'll need: 8 cups of snow, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Help your kids gather the snow (or let them do it if you trust their snow instincts) and place in a large bowl.  Add the condensed milk and extract.  Mix well and serve immediately.  Makes 8-10 servings. 

3. Make Corn Starch Clay for Ornaments or Play.  This looks much nicer than the popular salt dough and is just as fun to play with.  In case you only have the ingredients for salt dough, or you want to compare for yourself the link provides a nice comparison with photos and I'll include directions for the salt dough.  Get started on Christmas 2014 or just make it for fun. 
-What you'll need: (Corn Starch Clay) 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda, 1 1/4 cups water.  Optional: food coloring.  Combine in a pan on the stove set on low heat.  Add food coloring if you wish.  Stir until thick (5-10 minutes).  Let it cool then then knead it until smooth.  Make your ornaments or play.  Use Play Doh tools if you have any. Bonus: warming your kitchen!
-What you'll need: (Salt Dough) 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 cups flour.  Blend well and knead until smooth.  No heating necessary.  Play or make your ornaments. 

4. Break out the cardboard.  12 toys/activities from cardboard.  These ideas cover many age groups and hobbies.  
What you'll need: cardboard, imagination and each activity has items including yard or ribbon, markers, scissors, fabric, etc.  This activity allows for so much creativity.  If you make the cars you can have your very own drive-in movie in your living room.  No admittance without an awesome car and license!!  

5. Make a coffee filter snowflake.  Decorate the house or keep the kids busy, either way these easy snowflakes will look fabulous.  You can make these with regular paper (scrap paper works too!) as well.  
What you'll need: coffee filters or paper, scissors.  

Bonus activity: 45 chores for ages 18 months-7 years and beyond.  Get your house clean and make it a family affair.  Blast some fun music to make it feel less like work.