Hey Kids!
Join a Park Ranger this summer to learn all sorts of fun stuff about water critters, trees, animals, and fish just to name a few.
Programs will be offered through August 18th. The same program will be offered twice a week every Tuesday at 11:00 am and Thursday at 2:00 pm. See below for program schedule and descriptions.
June 23: "Salamanders"
Did you know that salamanders are amphibians? Join park staff at the Jacob Fork Parking Area to learn more fun facts and participate in salamander collection. Come prepared to get wet.
June 28 & June 30: "TRACK Trail Nature Olympics"
Kids in Parks is an expanding network of family-friendly outdoor adventures called TRACK Trails. Each TRACK Trail features self-guided brochures and signage that turn your visit into a fun and exciting outdoor experience. Join a Ranger at Cicero Branch Parking Area.
July 5, 7: "Tracks"
Join a Park Ranger to learn about common animal tracks and their makers. We'll look for signs of animals outside, and then make our own tracks to take home. This program will include indoor and outdoor activities. Meet at the Visitor Center.
July 12, 14: "What's in the Water?"
How many different kinds of critters live in the river?? Join a Park Ranger in the stream to turn over some rocks and learn more about what you might find there. Come prepared to get wet!! Meet at the Visitor Center.
July 19, 21: "Camping 101"
Can I have S'more please? Join a Ranger at Cicero Branch Parking Area to learn how to start a campfire, roast some s'mores and other cool camping tricks.
July 26, 28: "The 10 Essentials"
What items should you always carry with you when hiking? Meet a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center to learn about the "10 Essentials".
August 2, August 4 "Crafts Gone Batty"
Are bats blind? Do they fly into your hair? Do they turn into vampires? Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center to learn some Bat facts, make some batty crafts and have an opportunity to view some Bats.
August 9, 11: "Jr. Ranger Boot Camp"
Junior Rangers help Park Rangers preserve the park by learning about how to protect plants and wildlife. Join a Ranger at the parks Visitor Center to have an opportunity to complete all the Junior Ranger requirements in one day. Help promote the value of the NC state parks system as a protector of the state's natural and cultural resources. Activities are best suited for children ages 6-12.
August 16, 18: "Owl Pellets"
Join a Park Ranger to examine owl pellets and reconstruct prey skeletons. Owl pellets are clean of flesh, odorless and can be handled easily by all age groups.
South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18. We welcome the community to join us for our monthly educational interpretive programs. Call the park office at (828) 433-4772 for more information.