November 2019
Newsletter
News
Save the Date for the 1st Annual Polk County Science Fair!
Who: Students in grades 3-12, from any school in Polk County (including homeschools!)
When: Saturday, January 18, 2020, 2-5 pm
What: A County-wide science fair! Most schools in the county do not hold a science fair, so we are joining forces to offer an opportunity for everyone to participate.

Winners will be able to advance to the Western North Carolina Regional Science Fair in February!

Not sure where to start? Resources for teachers, parents, and students can be found  at the NC Science and Engineering Fair website.

Ready to participate?  Sign up here!
Program Updates
Homeschool Gym Meetup
Our free Meetups for homeschooling families are in full swing!
Tuesdays 1-3 pm for ages 6 and up
Thursdays 9:30-11 am for ages 6 and under
This month, we will be learning all about basketball, pickleball, and ping pong!

Visit  http://www.polknc.org/Homeschool.php for more information. Thanks for playing with us!
Family Dance Party
Join us at the Saluda Library on Wednesday, November 6 or Columbus Library on Tuesday, November 26 at 10:30 am for the Family Fun Storytime and stay for a dance party!  We will have fun music, dancing, and games for kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers. See you at the library!

Future dance parties: 
Dec. 11 @ Saluda Library!
Dec.10 @ Columbus Library!
A Peek at PEAK

Each week, we visit the after-school PEAK program at each elementary school in Polk County, bringing outdoor education and gardening activities. So far, we have participated in nature photography with the ecoEXPLORE program, harvested plenty of garden goodies, created leaf rubbings, and went for a sensory walk around school grounds.

Special Request: We are hoping to create insect ornaments with old glass Christmas lights. If you have some, please drop them off at Stearns Gym by November 8.

Sports Updates
Youth Basketball Registration Closes Nov. 8!

Click  HERE to sign your family up for an eTrak account. Once you and your child(ren) have an account, you can register them for basketball. If you already have an account (you do if your child has participated in any rec programming in the last year), you can register them for basketball online, or call us and we will help you!
All players that register after November 8 will be placed on a waitlist and are not guaranteed a spot.
Coaches for all leagues are needed; please call or   email Letoya if you are interested.
10U and 12U players, please plan to attend an evaluation on November 16.
Games will begin in January.
Fall Volleyball Continues!
This fall volleyball season we had a total of 127 players spread out between four different leagues. Thus far, there has been really great competition in each league with teams head-to-head in the standings!!
With the end of the season rounding the corner, no particular team standing is set in stone because so much can happen within the last week of regular season play. 
Tournament games will begin on Monday, November 11th with everyone starting with a record of 0-0, so the championship can be anyone's!! We would like to wish good luck to everyone participating and remember to always have FUN!!!

Trails Updates

Trail workday
Friday, November 15, 10 am-12 pm: Rec Complex Trail

Email trails@polknc.org if you have questions or to let Ryan know you are coming.
Check out our Trails Facebook Page for other upcoming trail workdays!
October 28th Trails Meeting Summary
  • The middle school hiking club is in full swing! Both groups walked the peaceful trail along the creek at Adawehi through the big pine and birch forest.
  • Work on the recreation complex trail is under way! Volunteers removed trash from an old home-site on October 29th.
  • Ryan led a hike with the senior living center on the ICC/Tom Raymond trail this month and plans to lead another hike on November 6th, weather permitting.
  • Discussions on developing the trails on Chocolate Drop and Round Mountain are happening!
  • Thanks to the Kudzu warriors for attacking many of the kudzu infested trails in Polk County!
  • The Melrose Mountain Climbing Park has been developing trails to provide access for climbers. Partnering with the Carolina Climbers Coalition, Jonathan and his group of volunteers are focused on constructing a high quality, sustainable trail. And for non-climbers, it will provide a nice steep hike and a chance to watch climbers in action!
  • Ryan paddled on the Green River from the dam at Lake Adger to where the Green and Broad Rivers meet--read about his experience here. We are looking to establish a River Keeper who can regularly maintain and provide feedback on this section of the river.
  • Conserving Carolina is hosting a hike on Weed Patch Mountain November 8th. If you haven't already signed up, you can join a waiting list by emailing pam@conservingcarolina.org. Click HERE for more info about the hike.
Polk County Parks and Recreation | recreation@polknc.org | 828.894.8199 | Visit our website
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