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Blue Jay
Pointer
Notice a new pop of color in the park?
This eye-catching signpost
built and installed by
Mountains-to-Sea Trail volunteers is located where the MST crosses the Lodge Road near the T-Ball field parking lot. Be sure to tag #bluejaypoint and #mountainstoseatrail
when you snap your selfie
at the signpost!
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Scout
Saturdays
at Blue Jay Point
Offered at 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. on selected Saturdays, these one hour free group programs are designed for troops/groups of
10-15 appropriate aged scouts to help complete requirements for the
following badges:
Sep 28 Jr GS Animal Habitats
Oct 12 Brownie Bugs
Nov 23 Bears Furs, Feathers &
Ferns
Jan 11 Brownie Household Elf
Feb 15 Webelo Earth Rocks
Mar 14 Brownie Letterboxer
Call (919) 870-4330 to
determine availability.
ALSO
We are looking for an Outstanding GS Cadette Troop
to volunteer with our
Winter Open House on Saturday, February 1, 2020. The Winter Open House hours are 1 - 4 p.m. and the Volunteer obligation is from 12:15-4:30 p.m. Email [email protected] for more information.
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August's Featured
Mini-Camp:
Summer
Sun-sations
for ages 4-5 years
August 5, 7 & 9
9 a.m. - Noon
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Unlock the mysteries of the sun! Learn how the sun affects our everyday lives-from its role in other cultures to today's uses of solar energy. Enjoy sun-sational crafts, solar snacks and more.
$36/child
This is our last summer camp of the season--2020 camps will be announced in January.
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Spotlight on
Blue Jay Staff
M
eet Jake Swinson
Park Aide-Education
began in March 201
9
What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day work at the park?
No day is ever the same! Some days I'm engaging students, campers, and families or I'm tending to our beautiful garden. Other days I'm working on new program ideas or out hiking the trails in the park.
Where does your passion for parks stem from?
My childhood and schooling. I grew up on the banks of the Pamlico River finding many adventures in the woods and waters that surround it. Both my parents are avid environmental educators and outdoor enthusiasts who present programs for schools across the southeast US (Pamlico Joe).
Where is your favorite place at
Blue Jay Point?
If not in the education center's garden, then somewhere along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail overlooking Falls Lake!
What has been your most interesting or memorable discovery in the park?
I've seen so many new plants and animals since beginning work at BJP. The most memorable discovery being a close encounter with a hunting Bard Owl during a rain storm.
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15 % off
weekday adventures
through
August 15th!
Use Code TTAWEEK15
Be sure to follow
GoApe on social media for chances at free tickets
and swag!
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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 a must!
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals, families, and youth groups to provide a great community service (ages 8 and up please).
Group registration--Please
call (919) 870-4330.
AND/OR
Teen Volunteer
Craft Prep Day
1 - 4 p.m.
Help prepare crafts and
materials for upcoming summer camps, family festivals and educational programs.
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(all programs require preregistration unless otherwise noted)
Nature Peekers:
The Very Lazy Ladybug
Tuesday, August 20
10:30 - 11 a.m.
(for kids ages 18 mos. to 3 years and their grown-up)
A ladybug is so lazy that she doesn't know how to fly? As
The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn & Jack Tickle tries to find a new home. we'll examine what makes ladybugs unique and what sort of home a ladybug really likes!
.
Fee: Free!
Nature Stories:
Night Gliders
Wednesday, August 21
1 - 2 p.m.
(for kids ages 3 - 5 and their grown-ups)
Learn how flying squirrels sail into the evening sky to take place of our more familiar daytime squirrels.
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Family Wildlife Series
Twilight Hike
Friday, August 2
8 - 9 p.m.
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. Family program for ages 5 and up, please.
Fee: Free!
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Family Wildlife Series
Warts and All
Saturday, August 24
2 - 3 p.m.
Toads are amphibians that spend the early part of their lives under water (as eggs and tadpoles) and the remainder of their lives on land eating the things that "bug your garden". Learn toad-ally fascinating things as we separate toad fact from fiction, and then create a toad house or
"toad abode" to put in your yard.
Fee: Free!
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Be sure to check your email address you used for registering for the program for any status updates, check FB for weather updates or call (919) 870-4330 if you
have questions!
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Nature Play Day
at Blue Jay!
Tuesday August 6
10 a.m. - Noon
August Theme: Air!
Parents or grandparents with young children are invited to come to Blue Jay for a thematic Nature Play Day. The focus will be on free play, which means having self-guided activities with no start and end time and 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 the wooden signs from the playground parking lot. All children must be
accompanied by an adult.
Fee: Free!
and no registration is required
for attending a Nature Play Day
In case of questionable weather, please call the Blue Jay Center at (919) 870-4330 or check our Facebook page for Nature Play Day status updates before coming!
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Aquatic WILD Workshop
Saturday, August 14, 9 a.m. -
4 p.m.
Facilitated by a NC Wildlife Resources educator, 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.
Serious Skills for Adults:
Butterflies 101
Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. - Noon
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: Free!
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Project WILD Workshop
Wednesday, September 11, 9 a.m. -4 p.m.
Facilitated by a NC Wildlife Resources educator, this 6-hour Project WILD workshop is for adults interested in teaching young people about wildlife. Participants receive the Project WILD K-12 educator guide along with materials specifically about North Carolina wildlife. The educator guide contains more than 150 hands-on activities that focus on wildlife and natural resources. Project WILD 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
Fee: Free!
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Serious Skills for Adults:
Spiders 101
Saturday, September 14 10 a.m.- Noon
Spiders are marvels of nature, spinning silk that rivals the strength of steel. Learn to identify these eight-legged wonders by habit, habitat, color and shape. We will use various collecting tools and ID resources as we explore the world of spiders.
Remember--
In
MOST cases Blue Jay's programs go on rain or
shine with awesome indoor activities to make up for
any missed opportunities outdoors.
Be sure to check your email address you used
for registering for the program for any program status updates,
or call (919) 870-4330
if you have questions!
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Contact us:
Blue Jay Point County Park
3200 Pleasant Union Church Road
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4330
Find us on Facebook!
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