Spring 2017 Programs at
Blue Jay Point County Park
Pre-registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted.
Online registration ends 3 days before most programs. Call (919) 870-4330 to check on
space availability/ability to register less than 3 days in advance.
New!
Register and Pay ONLINE for Public Programs!
http://www.wakegov.com/parks/bluejay/public
Spr
The Nature of Art
in
g
Monday, April 10 1:30-3p.m.
Pro Brea
(Traditional Calendar Spring Break)
k
gra
m!
Nature can be a beautiful medium of art! Learn about the works of
British Land Artist/Sculptor/Naturalist Andrew Goldsworthy before creating and photographing
your own piece of ephemeral art made from found and supplied natural elements.
This FREE family program is part of the NC Science Festival and is most appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Family Wildlife Series
FWS programs are open to all ages (unless otherwise noted), although info and activities are most appropriate for ages 5 and up.
New Family Program fee structure! $1/participant unless otherwise noted. (Don’t forget—“kids not required”—unaccompanied
adults are always welcome in our family programs!) Pre-registration is required unless otherwise stated.
For Goodness Snakes
Are You My Mama?
Saturday, May 13 2-3p.m.
Create great Mother’s Day cards while
learning about different styles of mothering
in the animal world.
Saturday, June 10 2-3pm
Loved, hated, sometimes overlooked, but never ignored!
Snakes are an often-misunderstood group. Most snakes are
harmless, but all play a special part in our ecosystem. Come
and learn more about this amazing group of reptiles.
Hooked on Hummingbirds
Saturday, May 27 10-11am
(Memorial Weekend)
Here they come! Learn about all about Spring hummingbird
migration and find out what special adaptations these tiny
little birds have that help them survive in a great big world.
Make a small hummingbird feeder to welcome them to
your yard during this family program.
Father Knows Best
Saturday, June 17 10-11a.m.
Learn about animal fathers and their various
roles in nature as you make great recycled
Father’s Day cards!
Teen and Adult Volunteers Needed
for our upcoming Songbird Celebration Family Festival
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Help us celebrate International Migratory Bird Day and the return of our feathered friends.
Opportunities include running game booths, bird-themed activities and craft tables.
You may now register ONLINE for these Volunteer Opportunities at
www.wakegov.com/parks/bluejay/Pages/volunteer
There is a choice of 4 different volunteer shifts!
All volunteers must pre-register and bring a completed and signed
Volunteer Service and Release Form (available at the link above) to sign in.
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Register and Pay ONLINE for Public Programs!
http://www.wakegov.com/parks/bluejay/public
Pre-registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. Online registration ends 3 days before a program.
Call (919) 870-4330 to check on space availability/ability to register less than 3 days in advance.
Nature Peekers
A monthly program series for very young children ages 18mo – 3 yrs
(and their grownups!) where we listen to a story, practice developmentally
appropriate skills, interact with other youngsters and enjoy nature OUTSIDE if
possible (and indoors if needed). $2 per child/ per 30 min. program.
Lola Plants a Garden
Tuesday, April 4, 10:30-11a.m.
In Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn, Lola explores what
she needs to plant her own garden and how to take care of it.
Come learn about our garden, what a seed is
and how to take care of them!
Nuts to You!
Tuesday, May 23, 10:30-11a.m.
It's summer in the city, and a rascally squirrel
is up to all sorts of tricks. But when he sneaks inside
an apartment window, he'll need one nutty solution
to get back out! Explore the world of squirrels
through the fun book Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert .
Little Green
Tuesday, June 6, 10:30-11a.m.
A little green hummingbird is flying through a sunny garden, leaving
a path for sharp eyes to follow. A young artist is watching--and painting
what he sees. Little Green by Keith Baker captures all the energy
and excitement of a hummingbird's flight;
let us explore that excitement!
Nature Stories
Theme related stories and activities for parent and child aged 3 - 5 years.
$4/child/program
Plant a Seed
Wednesday, May 10 1 – 2 p.m.
Garden tales, seed dissecting and planting fun
are the order of the day.
Turtle Tales
Wednesday, June 7 1-2 p.m.
What animal carries his own shelter around
with him? A turtle, of course! Join us for
tons of turtle fun.
Nature
Play Days
Parents or grandparents with young children are
invited to come to Blue Jay for a monthly
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.
A Nature Play Day at Blue Jay is a free walk-up
activity from 10a.m.-Noon and requires
no pre-registration!
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!
Tuesday, June 13 10-Noon Theme: Gardening
Tuesday, July 25 10-Noon Theme: Water
Tuesday, August 8 10-Noon Theme: Sound
Get monthly program reminders by
subscribing to the
Blue Jay Flyer e-newsletter
(go to the bottom of our homepage).
For Great Nature Stories Fun in April, check out
Songbird Celebration!
Saturday, April 29, 11a.m.-3 p.m.
A free family festival for all ages!
See the special “Songbird Celebration” page 4
Get weekly program reminders by
“liking” us on Facebook!
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Adult Opportunities
Register for these adult workshops and classes ONLINE (under
Public Programs on Blue Jay’s website) Be SURE to include
your mobile phone number in case of weather emergency
or instructor illness.
Flying WILD Workshop
Thursday, April 13, 2017
9 a.m.—4 p.m.
Flying WILD professional development workshops provide
formal and nonformal educators of K-12 students with a
complimentary copy and a comprehensive overview of Flying
WILD: An Educator's Guide to Celebrating Birds, as well as
practical hands-on training in its implementation. Workshop
facilitators also share information about migratory birds and
their conservation needs and help participants become
networked into the bird conservation community in their
community. This FREE workshop is approved for 6 hours of
Criteria I credit in the NC EE Certification program. Bring a bag
lunch and drink. Workshop preregistration is required.
Frogs and Frog Calls Workshop
Tuesday, April 25, 6-9 p.m.
This workshop consists of an indoor session covering frog
and toad habitat requirements, as well as identification and
calls, followed by an outdoor session to search for live frogs
and hear calls. Led by Casey Williams of the NC Wildlife
Resources Commission, this FREE workshop will qualify for
Component II of the NC OEE EE Certification Program.
Open to ages 16 and up.
Advanced WILD—Raptors Workshop
Saturday, May 6, 2017
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Adv WILD Raptors introduces the main raptor families of the
Piedmont with some key species characteristics and habitats.
The day is filled with activities suited to the classroom. Time
outdoors will focus on local raptors, nest site selection and
middle to high school appropriate field research techniques.
We will spend some time with the Ospreys at Blue Jay Point
too. Dress for the weather and plan for more than half the
time out-of-doors unless there is foul weather. Led by Casey
Williams of NC Wildlife Resources Commission, this workshop
is approved for Criteria II credit in the NC EE Certification
Program. Bring a bag lunch and drink. Adult workshop, FREE
but preregistration is required.
Serious Skills for Adults: Tree ID
Saturday, May 13 9 a.m.-Noon
Learn to identify trees by leaf, bark and habit. Explore how to
differentiate species. Take home educational materials to use
in your classroom. Fee: $15 includes two tree ID books.
Criteria II or III, or CE credit is available for participants in the
NC EE Certification Program.
Serious Skills for Adults: Demystifying Reptiles
Saturday, June 10 10-Noon
New to North Carolina or the Southeast? You’ve probably been
told to watch out for copperheads but would you know a
copperhead if you saw one? Come learn about our exciting
native reptiles, how to do simple reptile ID, what to do if you
encounter a reptile, and even some safe up close encounters
with live reptiles. (1hr discussion, 1hr live animals/outside)
Fee: $8 Criteria II or III, or CE credit is available for participants
in the NC EE Certification Program.
2017Summer Mini-Camps
Eco-Kids Bird Buddies
June 12, 14, and 16 9 -11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m.
For 4– 5’s. Fee: $25 ( track 1, traditional, homeschool)
Be the best bird buddy ever! Learn what makes a bird a
bird, how to identify bird songs, and how different birds “earn
a living” all while finding out what you can do to help your
feathered friends.
Rockin’ Around
June 19, 21, & 23 9 a.m. – Noon
For 6-8s Fee: $36 (track 1, traditional, homeschool)
Geology captures our imagination this week as we explore
rocks, minerals, and fossils through hikes, games, stories
and crafts.
My Side of the Point
June 26, 28 and 30 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
For 9-12’s Fee: $72 (traditional, homeschool)
Ever read My Side of the Mountain and thought you’d like to
be able to identify plants, track animals, know bird song, or
feel at home in the forest? Join other young naturalists for a
week exploring forest and field and practicing some primitive
skills.
Eco-Kids Bug-a-Boos (Track 4, Traditional)
July 10, 12, & 14 9 – 11a.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.
For 4-5 ‘s Fee: $25 (track 4, traditional, homeschool).
Do you call anything that crawls on the ground a bug?
Arthropods are so much more! With anywhere from 6 legs to
thousands, Blue Jay’s exciting and colorful invertebrates are
always on the move and you will be too as you learn the
special characteristics of insects,
spiders, millipedes and more.
Forest Detectives
July 17, 19 & 21 9 a.m.-Noon or 1 -4 p.m.
For 6 -8’s Fee: $36 (track 4, traditional, homeschool)
Hone your tracking skills as we hunt down wild animals and
plants in this exciting mini-camp. As a nature detective,
you’ll use your senses and a special kit to discover hidden
secrets in the Blue Jay forest. This will be an all-weather
adventure, so dress accordingly!
Eco-Kids Summer Sun-sations
August 7, 9 & 11 1 – 3 p.m.
For 4-5’s Fee: $25 (track 3, traditional, homeschool)
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.
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Blue Jay Point County Park’s
Songbird Celebration
Saturday, April 29, 2017 11 a.m.—3 p.m.
20th
Ann
ual!
(with some “early bird” hikes!)
Bring your family to a FREE Songbird Celebration at Blue Jay Point County Park in recognition of International Migratory Bird Day 2017
highlighting the importance of “Stopover Sites: Helping Birds Along the Way.” We are also celebrating 20 years of Songbird Celebration
family festivals! Come see how we incorporate that theme as you enjoy bird-related activities throughout the park. This is a great outing for
individuals, families, scouts and other youth groups. Baguettaboutit Food Truck will be on hand or pack a picnic lunch! For more
information about how the day works or to volunteer—this is an excellent opportunity for scout groups or teens needing community
service hours—contact us using the info at the bottom of this page. All volunteers must register in advance!
All Songbird Celebration classes, hikes and activities are free!
NEW! Register ONLINE for the following free classes and
hikes— type “SC:” in the Activity search box. Remaining
spaces will be available at the SC Information Tent .
The following Songbird Celebration activities are drop-in come and go as you please, and join the fun!
10 a.m.-1 p.m.—Shade-grown Coffee Hour on the EE Center porch
For adults and teens only—
Enjoy a cup of coffee on us - find out why “shade-grown” is better for birds.
Adult Bird Hike: 8:30-10 a.m. (new longer hike!)
Join NC State Park I & E Specialist Brian Bockhahn on a hike to locate spring
migrants through bird song and observation. Enjoy a cup of shade-grown
coffee when you get back!
10 a.m.-3 p.m.— “A Flock of Stamps” Migratory stopover sites offer safe
For preteens and teens (ages 11-15)—
refuges to rest and refuel before continuing on the next leg of the journey.
Migrants may stop at a park, forest, wildlife refuge, or even your backyard!
Let’s find a few hidden migratory bird letterboxing stamps that have stopped
over at Blue Jay to help celebrate our 20th annual Songbird Celebration!
Remarkable Raptors 1:15-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-3 p.m.— New this year! —An exciting new activity featuring the
Do you know how remarkable raptors are? Explore the adaptations raptors
have for living in diverse habitats after completing incredible migrations.
importance of migratory stop-over sites for birds!
11 a.m.-1 p.m.— Raptor Presentation Come by for a close-up look at
one of Master Falconer Bill Davis’s big beautiful birds of prey and learn about
how raptors “earn a living”!
For kids (ages 6-12) —
It’s a Bird’s Life 11 - 11:30 a.m. or 12:30-1 p.m.
Explore bird life cycles while attracting a mate, building a nest, laying eggs,
and feeding your young through a relay race, birdsongs and more!
For preschoolers (and parent)—
Nature Stories: Outside the Window 11-11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-Noon
“Outside the Window” is about a family of baby birds that are curious about
how they are the same or different than a little boy they observe through his
window. Make your own “window” to take home.
Nature Stories: The Birdwatchers Noon-12:30 p.m. or 12:30-1p.m.
Listen to a story about a little girl and her granddad as they wander through the
woods looking for birds. Start your own very simple bird journal to help you
learn how to identify some common local birds.
For families of all ages—
Family Bird Hike: 10-10:45 a.m. or 11-11:45 a.m.
Start your family on the track of a lifetime hobby by taking a trek
around Blue Jay with NC State Park Ranger Brian Bockhahn in search
of our springtime bird residents!
Join a park ranger from the US Army Corps of Engineers for a short hike down
the Sandy Point Trail to observe a man-made osprey nesting platform and this
year’s avian inhabitants.
Join members of Wake Audubon for a family bird hike around Blue Jay. Be
sure to stop by the Wake Audubon booth for great information and a peek at
their bird related merchandise!
the great rescue, rehab and education work done by this local organization.
11:30-Noon and 1:30-2 p.m. — Rockin’ Robin Parade Join Blue Jay’s
Miss Dana in a rollicking parade around Songbird Celebration! If you have a
bird costume, or bird t-shirt—wear them! Or visit the Raptor Wings booth
before the parade to make your own!
Noon-12:30 p.m. and 2:00-2:30 p.m. — Birdhouse Walk Like a cakewalk,
except for birdhouses and bird-themed prizes! For all ages!
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Osprey Hike: 10-11a.m. or 11a.m.-Noon
Wake Audubon Family Bird Hikes: Noon-12:45 p.m. or 1-1:45 p.m.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.— Bird-themed displays, games, and activities for all
ages in the Blue Jay Garden.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.— CLAWS Inc. Visit amazing birds of prey and learn about
In keeping with this year’s theme
“Stopover Sites: Helping Birds Along the Way”
we have a special challenge for Songbird participants! Pick up
a Songbird Celebration Migration Pass at the Information Tent on the
front walk to the Education Center. Complete a series of fun walk-up
activities, attend any organized class or hike throughout the day and then
turn in your completed Migration Pass at the Information Tent to
receive an official Songbird Celebration embroidered patch,
or other small prize of your choice.
Wake Audubon Bluebird Hike: 2-2:45 p.m.
Learn about how the Eastern Bluebird populations have been brought back
from the brink by Citizen Science efforts like those at Blue Jay as you scope
out the Bluebird Trail and take a peek into a nest box or two.
3200 Pleasant Union Church Road
Special Challenge for 2017!
Raleigh, NC 27614
This flyer is available for download on our
website under “Calendar of Events”—
http://www.wakegov.com/parks/bluejay
(919) 870-4330
[email protected]