IN THIS ISSUE
- Park Happenings
- Volunteer Opportunities
- May Programs & Activities
- Kid's Corner
- Friends of JDSP - Membership
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Contact us:
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education & Research Center
561-745-5551
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JDSP Participates in
Boy Scout Merit Badge University
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Local Boy Scouts participated in Merit Badge University, a merit badge clinic for scouts to meet their goals with the help of local teachers and work force professionals. This year a local Elks club sponsored a series of 4 classes, one of them being Signaling. This class is taught to local scouts to recognize Camp Murphy, a WWII Army Signal Corps radar maintenance training facility, which is now the location of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, borderingTanah Keeta Boy Scout Camp. Over 100 Boy Scouts attended the Signaling class, lead by Park Volunteer and Boy Scout leader, Randy Hoefling - thank you Randy for representing the park in this historically significant program!
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Cub Scrub Jr. MTB Riders
Kids Group Ride
Saturday, June 2
8:30 - 9:30 am
It's time for a Kid's Ride! The ride will be broken into groups according to skill level and experience. All kids need to accompanied by either a riding or non-riding adult. Knobby tires and helmets are absolutely required for this ride. The ride will last about an hour.
All ages and beginners are welcome! Event is free, park entry fee applies. Visit
clubscrub.org to register or for more information.
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Solar Nature Printing
Saturday, June 2
One hour sessions from 9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Join the fun in the park with a nature craft. Children will learn about native wetland plants and choose leaves or flowers for solar printing on fabric. Appropriate for children ages 4-10 years old. All materials and instruction will be included; park entry will be free for participants (see details below). Receive your free park/event admission ticket by registering for a
one hour session
. Space is limited!
Please visit
theguardiansofmartincounty.com/events/
to reg
ister. Admission ticket will be emailed to registrant- print or show it on your phone for free park entry! Free park entry only applies to registered children plus one parent. Event requires sunshine - rain date is June 23rd!
This free program is sponsored by The Guardians of Martin County.
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Club Scrub Endless Summer River Paddle & Sandbar Party
Saturday, June 9, 9:15 am - 5:00 pm
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Paddle from JDSP 5 miles down the NW Fork of the Loxahatchee River, stop at Club Scrub's Floating Refreshment Party Boat along the way. Relax a bit, then paddle the rest of the way to the Jupiter Sandbar Party. After a couple of hours of great food, live music, and fun, paddle back to the park with the current! New this year, live music at the Sandbar aboard the Jupiter Water Taxi.
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Walk & Talk with Healthier Jupiter
Saturday, June 9 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Join us with Healthier Jupiter and the Friends of JDSP on a 1.5 walk along the beautiful Kitching Creek Nature Trail in the park. After the hike, enjoy a free coffee provided by the Friends on the beautiful
concession
patio to view the river and
the great Summer River Paddle launch! Healthy snacks will also be available for purchase.
All ages and physical activity level are welcome. The trail has some sandy and wet areas with roots, so appropriate shoes and baby carriers instead of strollers are advised.
Registration is required by June 7
. Please visit
healthierjupiter.org/initiatives/walk-talk
/
.
Free entry for registered participants.
Meet at the Kitching Creek Nature Trail head in the main picnic area parking lot in the river area of the park. Look for the big brown trail sign.
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Kitching Creek Nature Trail
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Sleep Under the Stars...
Camping/Hiking 201 - Backpack Camping
Saturday, June 9, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
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Sleep under the starts in a remote wilderness destination, fall asleep next to a babbling creek, and sip coffee while the rising sun casts a golden light on your backcountry camp. Yes, backpacking is as inspiring as it sounds! Seasoned backpacker and Park Volunteer, Randy Hoefling, will lead this program and go through all the steps you need to know to get started or sharpen your skills. All levels are welcome.
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We have plenty of fun volunteer opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, teacher, desk worker, nature lover, fixer-upper, and more! Hours can be flexible and there’s no minimum or maximum age! Those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or part of an organized group. For more information contact Corey Kerkela, 561-744-9814,
corey.kerkela@dep.state.fl.us
.
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June Schedule ~ Programs & Activities
Programs may vary from what is listed below. All are free excluding rentals, entry, and special event fees. Registration is suggested for all Saturday morning programs, and is required for some as noted below. Contact the Kimbell Center for details, 561-745-5551, or email
libby.reinert@dep.state.fl.us
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Every Friday
- Nature Hike 2:00 - 3:00 pm Join us for a leisurely stroll through the scrubby flatwoods and river floodplain. Osprey, pleated woodpeckers, and barred owls are some of the wildlife that can be seen. The walk may go through muddy or wet terrain.
Saturday, June 2
- See above for more events!
- Solar Nature Printing One hour sessions from 9:00 am - 4:15 pm Native plant craft program - space is limited, registration is required - see description above for details.
- Evening Ranger Program - For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary
Saturday, June 9
- See above for more events!
- Healthier Jupiter Walk & Talk 8:00 - 9:00 am Join JDSP and Healthier Jupiter for a 1.5 mile walk along the beautiful Kitching Creek Nature Trail. Registration is required - see description above for details.
- Bones, Skulls, and Skins 10:00 - 11:30 am Examine bones, meet live snakes, and learn about the park’s wildlife and their habitat. Program includes an indoor presentation and short nature walk. Registration is suggested.
- Evening Ranger Program For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary
Saturday, June 16
- Snakes Alive! 10:00 - 11:30 am Learn about these amazing and important creatures and the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes in Florida. You will also meet two non-venomous guests of our own! Registration is suggested.
- Evening Ranger Program For overnight guest; topic, time, and location may vary
Saturday, June 23
- Dip-net Discovery - 10:00 - 11:30 am Join us at beautiful Pine Grove Lake and learn the secret inhabitants of its waters. After finding these incredible critters we will take a closer look under the microscopes and discover a new world! Registration is suggested.
- Evening Ranger Program For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary.
Saturday, June 30
- Guided River Paddling Tour - 9:45 am - 12:00 pm Explore the natural wonders of the Loxahatchee River. Rent a canoe or kayak at the park's concession or bring your own and join us for a fun and leisurely paddle. The tour is weather dependent. Registration is required.
- Evening Ranger Program For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary.
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Schools, Homeschools, Scouts, and More!
We have programs for you! Many programs are aligned with state standards for schools; scouts can complete badges, Eagle, and Silver projects; and we can even do special birthday party or other group programs. Programs are free excluding rental and boat tour fees. Entrance fees apply and can be waived for school-curriculum aligned programs and service projects. Contact the Kimbell Center for details!
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Calling All Kids!
Come visit the Kimbell Center where we can help you become a JDSP Junior Ranger or click
here for more information.
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Cool Facts!
- Alligators are reptiles. They have been living on Earth for millions of years.
- There are two species of alligators, one lives in America and the other in China.
- Alligators can weigh over 1000 lbs but the average male weighs 500 - 600 lbs.
- They have bony plates called scutes that makes their skin hard to penetrate and help them regulate body temperature.
- Alligators have 70-80 teeth, if one falls out another will grow back.They can go through 2000 - 3000 teeth in a lifetime!
- Their eggs become female or male depending on the temperature.
- Young alligators stay with their mother for up to two years.
Click here
for more alligator information and activities!
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The Friends would like to invite you to become a member of their organization. The Friends primary role is to provide financial support
for the park's visitor programs and physical needs that are not funded
by the state. Park special events, activities, and programs are directly supported by your memberships and donations!
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Join the Friends with a $40 family membership and receive every year:
- 12 free park entries each year of membership ($72 value!)
- Discounts at local merchants
- Discounts on select Friends' merchandise
- Priority invitations to Friends events
- Special members only social and networking events
New members also receive a
JDSP Visitor's Guide and
one free Loxahatchee River Boat Tour (some restrictions apply).
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