Outdoors Calendar, week beginning Aug. 9

SATURDAY

Native American Games program, 1-2 p.m., Environmental Center, Central Park. For all ages. NativeAmericans enjoyed many different games. Most were fun, but also taught a basic skill valuable totheir survival. Join naturalist Andy Yoder to learn about and play some of these games. Childrenmust be accompanied by an adult. Please call 717-295-2055 for more information and to register forthis program. There is a $2 per person fee.

Chiques Challenge paddle and run race. The race begins in Marietta with a 4-mile run along theSusquehanna River, then a 1-mile paddle in a kayak to the finish line in Columbia. You must pre-register for his event and it is limited to 150 participants. The entry fee is $40 and includes a t-shirtand a meal. For more information go to: www.parivertowns.com, or email: succ@parivertown.com,or call 717 684-5249.

45th annual Lancaster Hunting & Fishing Show and Sale, at Lancaster Farm & Home Center, 1383Arcadia Road, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; $4.

The Science of Seuss: "Horton Hatches the Egg," 11 a.m.-noon, Environmental Center, Central Park.For all ages. Dr. Seuss was a master of writing a fun story with an important message at its heart.Join naturalist Andy Yoder. Participants will get to listen to the story, learn about local birds andtheir lives, and take a walk to look for birds and bird signs. Please be prepared for both indoor andoutdoor activities, bring a bird field guide and binoculars if desired. Children must beaccompanied by an adult. Please call 717-295-2055 for more information and to register for thisprogram. There is a $2 per person fee with a maximum of $8 per family.

Trapshooting practice for public, Conewago Rod & Gun Club, Elizabethtown. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call426-2016 or see conewagogunclub.org.

Practice trap shoot, Manheim Sportsmen's Association. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The club is at 552 OakTree Road.

SUNDAY

Whisper Walk at Gov. Dick Park, 2 p.m., Environmental Center off Pinch Road, Mt. Gretna. Foradults and children over 10. We'll use quiet activities on the trail to awaken our senses. Program arefree but preregistration required by calling 964-3808 or governordick@hotmail.com.

Hike for public, led by Lancaster Hiking Club. At 1:15 p.m., hike 5-6Â moderate to strenuous milesin the Safe Harbor area with hilly terrain. Carpool from the corner of Race and Buchanan avenues inBuchanan Park. Â

Summer Full and New Moon Hikes, 8:30-9:30 p.m., Environmental Center, Central Park. For allages. Join naturalist Lisa J. Sanchez for a walk under the moons of summer. Experience the sightsand sounds of the woods at night. Explore your senses at night with the help of the natural worldaround us. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 717-295-2055 for more information and

to register for this program. There is a $1 fee per person.

3-D shoot, Mount Joy Sportsmen. 30 targets. From 7 a.m.-2p.m.; $8 for adults; $4 for kids 12-16. Take Route 283 west;left on Route 772; right on Old Market Street.

3-D shoot, Chestnut Hill Archery Club. 40 targets. From 6a.m.-2 p.m.; $12. Take Route 23 east to Morgantown; left onRoute 10; left on Quarry Road to the Conestoga Landfillaccess drive.

3-D shoot, Lancaster Archery Club. 30 targets. From 7 a.m.-noon; $10 for adults; free for kids 12 andunder. The club is on Eckman Road, south of Lancaster.

Trap shoot, Penn-Dutch Sportsmen. From noon-4 p.m.; $5. Take Route 897 south from Route 322 inBlue Ball; right on Sandmine Road; left on Paes Road.

3-D shoot, New Holland Rifle and Pistol Club. 25 targets. From 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; $10. The club is at 589Meetinghouse Road, Gap.

3-D shoot, Millcreek Rod & Gun Club. 30 targets. From 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; $10. The club is at 401 Rodand Gun Road, Newmanstown.

Indoor handgun shoot, Mill CreekSportsmen's Association, from noon-2:30p.m. Nonmembers, $15. Call 393-6416.Handgun safety course available.

Sporting clays shoot, Elstonville Sportsmen.From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Take Route 72 northfrom Manheim; left on Pinch Road.

MONDAY

Garden Visitors program, 1-2 p.m. or 6-7 p.m., Garden Plot 1 off West Farm View Drive in CentralPark. For all ages. As you are harvesting the vegetables from your garden you might be wonderingwhat else is living in there. Join naturalist Lisa J. Sanchez in our garden plot for this class. Pleasepark near the plot on the west side of Farm View Drive. We will explore the different insects, birds,mammals and reptiles that may visit a garden. Participants will also look at and learn about theplants that we didn't plant in the garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call717-295-2055 for more information and to register for this program. There is a $1 fee per person.

Donegal Fish and Conservation Association meets, 7 p.m. at Donegal Presbyterian Church. For moreinformation, contact Kurt Enck at 475-7834.

Practice trap shoot, Paradise Sportsman's Association. From 5-7 p.m.; $4. Take Route 741 east fromStrasburg; right on Belmont Road.

TUESDAY

En Plein Air program, 10-11:30 a.m., Environmental Center, Central Park. For ages 6 and up.Lancaster County Central Park is a perfect place to explore impressionist art. After a briefintroduction to Impressionism from naturalist Mary Ann Schlegel, we will create color wheels andbecome artists as we assemble a puzzle painting. Then, "en plain air," each person may create theirown work of art in oil pastels. Dress for the outdoors and for using oil pastels. Children must beaccompanied by an adult. Please call 717-295-2055 for more information and to register for thisprogram.     There is a $3 fee per artist and $1 per observer.

Central Pennsylvania Beachcombers meet, 7:30 p.m., Elizabethtown Rec. Center. For moreinformation, contact Judy Pence at 393-5923. Â

Mill Creek Sportsmen's Association meets, 7:30 p.m., at clubhouse at 1877 Windy Hill Road.

Practice trap shoot, Southern Lancaster County Farmer-Sportsmen. From 1-8:30 p.m.; $4. TakeRoute 272 south to Buck; left on Route 372; left on Hollow Road.

WEDNESDAY

Trap shoot, Manheim Sportsmen, 5-7 p.m. The club is at 552 Oak Tree Road.

Sporting clays shoot, Atglen Sportsmen. Begins at 5 p.m. $5.50. The club is on Creek Road,Sadsbury Township.

Trap shoots under the lights, Adamstown Rod & Gun Club. Begins at 5 p.m.; $3. The club is at 563Willow St., Reinholds.

Sporting clays shoot, Elstonville Sportsmen. From 4-7 p.m. Take Route 72 north from Manheim; lefton Pinch Road.

THURSDAY

Talk, "Birding the British Isles, 7:30 p.m., Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor's Center.Sponsored by Pennsylvania Game Commission. Speaker: Birdwatcher Ken Haas of Narvon. TheUnited Kingdom boasts a long-established birding community. Here is an opportunity to explore thebirding hot spots of the region. Join Ken Haas for this photo tour. He will provide tips on goodbirding locations and the species encountered. For those planning a trip, this program could providebenefits when selecting locations to visit. For more information, call Middle Creek at 733-1512.

Wildflower Meadow Walk, 6-7 p.m., Wildflower Meadow on Golf Road in Central Park. For all ages.Explore the Muhlenberg Wildflower Meadow through its peak season. Enjoy a profusion of latesummer to fall meadow wildflowers and the insects they attract. Dress for the weather and forwalking 1 to 2 miles on uneven terrain. Meet naturalist Mary Ann Schlegel at the Meadow parkingarea on Golf Road across from the playground. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call 717-295-2055 for more information and to register for this program. There is a $1 fee perperson.     Â

Southern Lancaster County Farmers-Sportsmen's cowboy fast-draw shooting practice from 6-8 p.m.Take Route 272 south to Buck; left on Route 372; left on Hollow Road.

Practice trap shoot, Paradise Sportsman's Association, from 6-8 p.m.; $4. Take Route 741 east fromStrasburg; right on Belmont Road.

FRIDAY

Lancaster Herpetological Society meets, 7 p.m., Manheim Township Library. For more information,contact Jeff Chiyka at jeff@lancasterherp.org. Â

Fox Harbor Archery Club's 750-round target league under the lights begins at 6 p.m.; $10. TakeRoute 30 west; right on Prospect Road; left on Indian Head Road.

ONGOING

Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists are seeking assistance from residents in a regionalmonitoring effort to collect bat maternity colony data this summer. This monitoring is especiallyimportant due to the moralities in bat populations throughout the eastern United States, includingPennsylvania, being caused by white-nose syndrome (WNS). "WNS primarily kills during the winter,but the true impact of WNS on bat populations cannot be determined using estimates from winterhibernacula alone," said Nate Zalik, a wildlife biologist for the Game Commission. "Pennsylvanianscan help us more fully gauge the impact of WNS by hosting a bat count this summer. We areespecially urging people who have previously conducted a bat count for the Game Commission toparticipate again this year. Sites monitored for many years are valuable in assessing bat populationtrends. However, we also are interested in receiving reports from new surveyors and sites, asidentifying the location and size of colonies of WNS survivors is important." To obtain applicationsand information on how to participate, visit the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us)and click on "Wildlife" in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, scroll down and choose "Littlebrown bat" in the Wild Mammals section, and then click on "Appalachian Bat Count." Forms on thewebsite guide interested participants through the steps of timing, conducting a survey andsubmitting their findings to the Game Commission. Scout groups, 4-H clubs, local environmentalorganizations, and individual homeowners all can participate in this important effort. "The littlebrown bat and the big brown bat are the two species that most often use buildings as their summerroosts," Zalik said. "Abandoned houses, barns, church steeples, roosting structures constructedspecifically for bats, and even currently occupied structures can provide a summer home to femalebats and their young." Zalik noted that the fieldwork isn't difficult to do, and Pennsylvanians canplay a huge role in helping the Game Commission get a better understanding of what is happening tobats this summer. "We're looking for some help, and we hope you'll consider becoming part of theAppalachian Bat Count monitoring team," Zalik said. "It's a chance to make a difference for bats andto get involved in assessing the impact of WNS. Please consider lending a hand. Bats need you more

than ever." For more information on WNS, visit the Game Commission's website(www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on "Wildlife" in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, and scrolldown and choose "White-Nose Syndrome" in the Wildlife-Related Diseases section.

How to report bald eagle nests. From Pa. Game Commission: Bald eagles are now deep into theirnesting season with several pairs on eggs. It is an exciting time for eagle-watchers. I see postsabout nests, new and established. It is especially exciting that eagles now are nesting in urbanlandscapes, providing us with opportunities to engage more people with wildlife and birding. If youfind a new nest, report it to our Endangered bird biologist, Patti Barber, including details aboutlocation. Her mail is: patbarber@pa.gov. We have provided a lot of information about eagles andeagle-watching. Please take advantage of this information and provide it to others. See:http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=978032&mode=2. We hope thatour experienced birders and raptor-watchers can provide some in-the-field guidance to new eagle-watchers and instill in them a respect for the birds. Yes, eagles seem more tolerant of people than inthe past, but they still are vulnerable to human intrusion. You can help by providing some leadershipin the field.

Volunteer opportunities at North Museum of Natural History and Science. Community members canshare their passion for natural history and science. Needed are docents and tour guides to leadactivities and guide visitors throughout the museum. Docents are needed to lead group tours duringthe week. Tour guides are needed on weekends. Also needed are live animal room associates tointroduce visitors to the residents of the museum's live animal room by allowing them to touch theanimals and learn more about their distinct characteristics. Candidates should have a willingness tolearn about the exhibits and collections at the museum and a passion for sharing that knowledge andengaging young minds. Applicants should be flexible in their availability to volunteer during themuseum's normal business hours and willing to attend volunteer training. If interested, contactTowanda Williams, volunteer coordinator, at twilliams@northmuseum.org or 291-3943.

UPCOMING

Trapper training school at Mill Creek Sportsmen's Association, 1877 Windy Hill Road, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.,Saturday, Aug. 23. Call 393-6416.

6th Annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run, Saturday, Sept. 6. The registration fee is$90 for participants registering before August 1 and includes snacks and beverages at severalcheckpoints along the route, a picnic dinner at the finish, a one-year membership to KTA, acertificate, a t-shirt and bus transportation from the finish point back to the starting point. Theevent is limited to 600 participants. To register visit www.kta-hike.org. Hikers and trail runnersfrom the Northeast will have two new challenges September 6 to test their endurance and strengthof will. New this year the course has been reversed on the scenic rolling hills of the lowerSusquehanna Gorge and two lengths will be offered when the Keystone Trails Association hosts the23.4-mile Susquehanna Super Hike and 29.6 Mile Ultra Trail Run in Lancaster and York counties."This is the sixth year the daunting hike on the Conestoga and Mason-Dixon and Conestoga Trailswhich alternates breathtaking vistas with steep descents will challenge hikers and runners," saidKTA Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter. "The steep hills, rocky terrain and deep ravines of theSusquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run have proven too difficult for many hikers and trailrunners, so listening to their concerns we are now offering two lengths and extending the time limitfrom 11.5 hours to 12 hours." Both event courses will traverse both sides of the Susquehanna Riverin Lancaster and York counties. Hikers and trail runners will begin at Pequea Campground andend at the Otter Creek Campground, but the longer course will include an additional 6.2 mile loopup to the Urey Overlook. "At least eleven significant climbs with 4,203 feet elevation gain and 4,191

feet elevation loss for a total elevation change of 8,394 feet are encountered along the route," saidAshenfelter. "But by reversing the course the steeper hills will be encountered earlier in themorning when legs are fresh and the air is cooler and less humid. For those of you who have hikedthe Super Hike in the past, the reversal of the course will offer a new challenge," said Ashenfelter. "For those of you, who have never hiked the Super Hike, give us a try we know you will be rewardedwith the personal challenge of a lifetime. Just a few of the highlights include Wind Cave, the PinnacleOverlook, and Kelly's Run, crossing the Susquehanna River on the Norman Wood Bridge, historicLock 12 and Oakland Run. In this timed event, participants are required, for safety reasons, toreach each checkpoint within a certain time period and to complete the hike in no more than 12hours. For more information about the Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run, contact KTA at(717) 238-7017 or check the website: www.kta-hike.org.

Summer Canoe Trips, led by Lancaster County Central Park naturalists. For ages 12 and up. A tripwill be held on Saturday, Aug. 16. All trips meet at the Environmental Center. Join naturalists Lisa J.Sanchez and Christina Schwindinger for a canoe trip down the Conestoga River. Meet at theEnvironmental Center and you will be transported to and from the river. Experience the scenicbeauty of the river and the wildlife around you. Bring a packed snack/lunch and wear shoes andother accessories that can get wet. Participants must be over 12 years of age. Children must beaccompanied by an adult. Please call 717-295-2055 for more information and to register for thisprogram. There is a $25 fee per person.

Master Naturalist Certification Course, held by Lancaster County Conservancy this fall. TheLancaster County Parks and Recreation Department and the North Museum of Natural History arepartners. The course will run August to November, one evening per week and four Saturday fieldtrips. To register of for more information, contact Mike Burcin atmburcin@lancasterconservancy.org.

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The Outdoors Calendar welcomes information on hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoors events.E-mail details to acrable@lnpnews.com; fax to 399-6507; send to Ad Crable, PO Box 1328,Lancaster, Pa. 17608-1328; or call 481-6029.