Head out to Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster on the Northern Neck for a day or overnight and enjoy these programs in July.
Friday, July 3
Full Moon Canoe Trip 8-10 pm
Paddle under a full moon as it reflects on the water. Learn about how the moon affects our tides, folklore and our moods with an experienced guide. Canoe, life jacket, paddle, and instruction included. No experience necessary. Due to space restrictions, reservations are recommended. $6 per person. Meet at the camp store for equipment.
Saturday, July 4
Shake and Make Ice Cream 12-2 pm
Help make some ice cream with the “shake and make” method. The fun begins when you can eat the results. $2 per person. Picnic area.
Tuesday, July 7
Goin’-N-Seine 10 am to noon
Seining nets are long nets used to catch fish and other aquatic animals. Using a catch and release method, learn about various animals in and around the water. Picnic area beach. $2 person
Wednesday, July 8
GPS Games 10 am to noon
GPS means Global Positioning System. These hand-held systems can lead you to Geocaches, little treasure troves located throughout the park. Find out more about this new phenomenon sweeping the country and play some games. Equipment provided. $8 per team. A team can consist of 1 person, a couple, a family or a group of friends sharing one GPS unit. Limit of 10 teams—registration suggested. Meet at Camp Store
Thursday, July 9
Make a Hiking Stick 10 am to noon
Decorate a wooden hiking stick for taking on the trail. Test it out on a hike after the program. $2 person or $6 family.
Friday, July 10
Tall Tales Campfire 8 pm
Roast marshmallows as you listen to tall tales around a campfire. You’ll hear some old favorites and some new stories you are sure to enjoy. Free. Amphitheater.
Saturday, July 11
Music by the River with Mercy Creek 6-8 pm
Featuring Cheryl Nystrom and Jim Ball playing aggressive folk rock, a blend of modern folk, rock, pop, bluegrass and blues. Concerts are made possible by donations from local businesses and the Friends of Belle Isle. Bring a picnic dinner and chairs. Crafts and games for the kids. Free
Monday, July 13
Birding Basics 10 am to noon
Learn how to identify birds using silhouettes, color, shape, habits, and birdsong. Put those skills to use on a short walk in the park’s observation blind. Picnic area. $2 per person or $6 per family.
Tuesday, July 14
FUN Together 10 am to noon
FUN (Families Understanding Nature) Together will study aquatic animals. Kids and their caregivers will have fun through games, crafts, and other activities. $2 per person with a maximum of $6 per family.
Wednesday, July 15
Fish Printing 10 am to noon
Practice gyotaku, the ancient art of fish printing. Japanese fisherman made prints with their fish to record their catches. Attendees can practice the same craft at the Belle Isle picnic area, and are invited to bring T-shirts, tote bags or other materials to print. $2 per person with a maximum of $6 per family.
Wednesday, July 15
Astronomy 8 to 10 pm
Through pictures taken by satellites and spacecraft, NASA Astronomer Kathy Miles will teach about celestial happenings in a free program. There will be time for stargazing after if weather permits, and attendees are encouraged to bring telescopes or binoculars. The class will take place at the Visitor Center
Thursday, July 16
Outdoors 101—Edible Plants 10 am to noon
Learn about some of the edible plants found on the Northern Neck on a walk in the park. Take home some recipes and a list of resources about edible plants. $2 per person with a maximum of $6 per family.
Friday, July 17
Night Creatures Campfire 8 pm
Hear some stories about the night animals at Belle Isle while roasting marshmallows. Free. Amphitheater.
Saturday, July 18
Grand Ole Osprey Canoe Trip 10 am to noon
Learn about the ospreys and watch them from your canoe. Several ospreys nest and feed on the waters surrounding Belle Isle. $5/person Equipment and experienced guide provided. Due to space limitations, reservations are suggested.
Saturday, July 18
Music by the River with Ottoman 6-8 pm
Join this local favorite and their driving mix of hard rock original and hits. Concerts are made possible by donations from local businesses and the Friends of Belle Isle. Bring a picnic dinner and chairs. Crafts and games for the kids. Free
Monday, July 20
Cycle Through the Park 10 am to noon
Learn about Belle Isle’s natural areas and wildlife while bicycling through the park with an experienced guide. Bicycle included and helmets are available for children. $2 per person, or $6 per family. Meet at the Camp Store
Tuesday, July 21
FUN Together 10 am to noon
Families Understanding Nature (FUN) Together continues with games, crafts, and activities centered around finding shapes, colors, and forms in nature. $2 per person and $6 per family.
Wednesday, July 22
GPS Games 10 am to noon
GPS means Global Positioning System. These hand-held systems can lead you to Geocaches, little treasure troves located throughout the park. Find out more about this new phenomenon sweeping the country and play some games. Equipment provided. $8 per team. A team can consist of 1 person, a couple, a family or a group of friends sharing one GPS unit. Limit of 10 teams—registration suggested. Meet at Camp Store
Thursday, July 23
Goin’-N-Seine 10 am to noon
Seining nets are long nets used to catch fish and other aquatic animals. Using a catch and release method, learn about various animals in and around the water. Picnic area beach. $2 person
Friday, July 24
Family Games Campfire 8 pm
Play some games together, and then roast some marshmallows around the campfire while sharing family time. Free. Amphitheater.
Saturday, July 25
Getting Crabby Canoe Trip 7-9 pm
Learn about crabs and use chicken necks to catch some on a canoe trip. All equipment and experienced guide included. $6 person.
Monday, July 27
Outdoors 101 Shelter Building 10 am to noon
Help build a lean-to shelter from branches. These shelters were used by soldiers in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and can still be used today. $2 per person with a maximum of $6 per family.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, July 28-30
Junior Rangers Wild About Wildlife 9 am to noon
Learn about the wildlife at Belle Isle through crafts, games, and other activities. Children who complete all three days receive a Junior Ranger patch and certificate. This Junior Ranger session is designed for children ages 5-9, but other can attend. $5 per day. Registration is required.
Wednesday, July 29
Astronomy 8 to 10 pm
Through pictures taken by satellites and spacecraft, NASA Astronomer Kathy Miles will teach about celestial happenings in a free program. There will be time for stargazing after if weather permits, and attendees are encouraged to bring telescopes or binoculars. The class will take place at the Visitor Center
Friday, July 31
Ghost Stories Campfire 8 pm
Hear some spooky and not so spooky ghost stories while roasting marshmallows around a campfire. Free. Amphitheater.