July Outings
How are you doing on the County Parks Challenge? Here is a list of some organized outings for July if you prefer being part of a group. Remember to take pictures and post them at the Caring for Creation display by Commons I!
Ottawa County Park events:
- Hummingbirds Saturday, July 6, 2pm, Hemlock Crossing-Nature Education Center. Learn about these tiny birds and how you could attract them to your backyard. Hike follows, weather permitting.
- Astronomy Saturday, July 13, 9:00 – 10:30pm, Hemlock Crossing. Program and sky viewing is conducted by the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association, for adults and older children. Telescopes provided, or bring your own. Dress to be outside, bring binoculars and a chair. Cancelled if raining or overcast.
- Beach Zone Friday, July 19, 10 am, Kirk Park. Park staff will have a tent canopy set up on the beach with a variety of activities (adults must supervise their children). No program fee, but a parking fee applies. Cancelled in rain or high winds.
- See the Ottawa County Parks Summer 2013 Newsletter for more events and information.
Caring for Creation Scheduled Outings:
- Eastmanville Farm/Bayou Saturday, July 20, 10:30 AM. Meet at church to travel to Eastmanville. This park has a 1930’s barn, hiking trails and signs interpreting the history as the county “poor farm.” Afterwards we will stop at Eastmanville Bayou for a picnic lunch. There are also hiking trails and a boat launch at the bayou. More details to come. Please register with Boogaarts or sign up at church so we can plan the lunch.
- Explore a forest Sunday, July 28, 1 pm. Meet at church at 1 pm to carpool to Hiawatha Forest in West Olive. Vicki Rumpsa will lead a hike through this second-growth hardwood and thinned pine plantation. Call Vicki for details.
But you don’t need to wait for us – go on your own anytime! All necessary materials are available at the display next to the Caring for Creation bulletin board. Happy hiking!