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August 2018

Blue Jay 
Pointer

This is the time of year when the sound of middle schoolers running through the woods can be heard on selected afternoons as local schools participate in cross 
country meets.

If you see "Slow Down Sam" as you approach the park entrance gates PLEASE SLOW DOWN!

All Blue Jay trails will still be open, but please step aside 
and cheer on these
hard-working kids as they 
run past!



Go Ape

Coolest Deals for the 
Hottest Days!

18% off when you visit 
July 29th through August 10th*  Excludes Saturday Aug 4th and Excludes Treetop Junior.
*Must visit Go Ape during 
these dates. 
Use Promo code: COOLPPX

AND

Back to School 

15% off when you visit 
August 20th - August 31st Excludes Saturday's. 
Use Promo Code: SUMRPPX

Book Here

Just One spot left in

Eco-Kids  
Incredible Insects
Mini-Camp
for ages 4-5
M-W-F August 9, 11 & 13  1-3pm
$25 for all 3 sessions

 Sign up  by Noon Friday August 4! 


Volunteer
Item Donation Opportunity

First of all 
THANK YOU!
 Your response to our request for egg cartons and yarn was so bountiful that we were able to share with the summer camp staff at our sister parks.  Those needs are now met.

NOW we are looking for lonely, underutilized CONSTRUCTION TOYS  for use at a "Build It" Nature Play Day in September. 


Items may be dropped off in the Education Center office or left outside the staff door on the left side of the front porch.

Volunteer
Opportunities

Saturday  October 6, 2018
9 a.m. - Noon

Join ranks to help clean up the Falls Lake shoreline around Blue Jay Point. Bring work gloves and a water bottle. Sunscreen, a hat, and your favorite brand of insect repellent is recommended. Closed-toe shoes like old sneakers are required. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals, families, and youth groups to provide a great community service. (ages 8 and up please). Volunteers under age 16 must be with a guardian or an adult group sponsor.

To register a group, please contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 
919-870-4330 or email us. 

To register a family or individual, please use this link.


 Important Note: ALL Big Sweep volunteers must sign a Volunteer Service Agreement and Release Form. Forms will be available on site, but all unaccompanied minors must bring one signed by a parent or guardian.

___________

Craft Prep Day
Saturday  October 6, 2018
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.



Help prepare crafts and materials for upcoming summer camps, family festivals and educational programs. For ages 13 and up. Pre-registration is required. Some outside work may be available--bring a coat! All volunteers must bring a completed and signed Volunteer Service Agreement and Release Form in addition to your school community service credit documentation form.




Are you wondering 
where you can enjoy a 
particular activity within a park, or even where the nearest park is to your current location? Well, be curious no more! The new Park Locator app will solve these problems and many more ... check it out  here.


Stay Connected!
 
       
  
                         #bluej aypoint

 

 

Happening In August!
(all programs require pre-registration) 

Nature Peekers:
The Very Quiet Cricket
Tuesday, August 21   10:30 - 11 a.m.
(for kids ages 18 mos. to 3 years and their grown-up.


The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle captures our imagination while we practice counting and observing similarities and differences.  A short walk to look for crickets and other insects rounds out our morning!
Fee: $2
______________

Nature Stories:
Crazy About Caterpillars
Wednesday, August 22   1 - 2 p.m.
(for kids ages 3-5 and their grown-up)

caterpillar  
Can you say "metamorphosis?"  Learn about the 
exciting process that changes caterpillars into butterflies.  Visit Blue Jay's butterfly garden
 while searching for the fluttering bright spots of summer and for munching, creeping caterpillars!
Fee:  $4
___________ ___

Family Wildlife Series:
Twilight Hike
Friday, August 3    8 - 9 p.m.
(This Family program is for ages 5 and up. )


Listen for the cricket's chirp, the frogs' chorus 
and the call of the barred owl as we put our best
 foot forward on a Twilight Hike. 
Fee:  $1/person 

_______________

Family Wildlife Series
Garden Sampler
Saturday, August 21   2 - 3 p.m.
(all ages are welcome, but content and activities are 
most appropriate for ages 5 and up)


Join Blue Jay staff for an afternoon in the Blue Jay Gardens. Take a peek at a mini pond, composting 
area, pollinator garden and children's garden--enjoy activities that will make you eager to use some 
of these ideas in your own yard. 
$1/person

______________

and Don't Forget--

Nature Play Day--Fantasy!
August 7 from 10 a.m. - Noon



Parents or grandparents with young children are 
invited to come to Blue Jay for a Nature Play Day.  
The focus will be on free play, which means having 
self-guided activities with no start and end time and that flow from kids' creativity.  Education staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance.  
Activities are planned for 3-7 year-olds, but younger children are welcome to attend.  Meet in the Natural Play Area--follow signs from the playground or t-ball parking lots.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  

Feel free to wear fantasy attire!

NO registration is required for this FREE activity.

If weather seems uncertain, be sure to check Facebook or call (919) 870-4330 before coming to make sure the Nature Play Day is still happening!

August Opportunities
for Adult s  

Serious Skills for Adults
Butterflies 101
Saturday, August 18 
 2 - 3:30 p.m.


Butterflies on the wing! From the tiniest Skipper 
to the giant Swallowtail, butterflies are a source
 of inspiration and pollination. Learn techniques 
to distinguish between different butterflies and
 their kin while investigating nectar plants and 
larval foliage plants in Blue Jay's 
pollinator garden.
Fee:  $6


_____________

Aquatic WILD
Saturday, August 11
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.



Facilitated by NC Wildlife Resources educator 
Casey Williams, this 6-hour workshop introduces participants to the free Aquatic WILD K-12 educator 
guide. The workshop is similar to the N.C. WILD Basic workshop, except there is a focus on aquatics. 
The N.C. WILD Aquatic workshops are open to all interested educators, including classroom teachers, environmental educators, resource agency staff,
 park personnel, college students and faculty, 
and youth leaders. Bring a bag lunch. This 6-hour workshop counts as a Criteria I workshop in the 
NC Environmental Education Certification Program. 
Adult Workshop. FREE, but preregistration is required.


_______________

Methods of Teaching 
Environmental Education
Tuesday, August 14
5 p.m. - 9 p.m. 
and
Wednesday, August 15
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.



The focus of this 10 hour workshop is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences in both the formal and non-formal sectors to use exemplary Environmental Education teaching methods. Participants will learn about a 
variety of teaching techniques, methods and 
instructional strategies; and the workshop will include multiple interactive components. This is a required workshop for all NC Environmental Education Certification candidates. Note: you must have 
completed and received credit for the Basics of Environmental Education 10 hour Independent Study http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--basics--course-materials.html before enrolling in the 
workshop. Anyone who hasn't completed Basics of EE 
will be placed on a waiting list. Participants must bring a bag dinner and drink the first day and a bag lunch and drink the second day.  FREE, but 
preregistration is required.
Contact us: 
 
Blue Jay Point County Park
3200 Pleasant Union Church Road
Raleigh, NC  27614
(919) 870-4330
 
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