Memorial Lake State Park Complex announces September programs

The Memorial Lake State Park Complex has announced its lineup of events for September at the complex, which includes Memorial Lake and Swatara state parks, and Boyd Big Tree and Joseph Ibberson conservation areas.

All programs are subject to change due to weather or staffing shortages. Please check the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Calendar of Events or Facebook page for cancellations or changes to programs.

Activities are free unless otherwise noted. If you have concerns or require special accommodations, please reach out to DCNR at least 72 hours prior to the event at 717-865-6470 or qheist@pa.gov.

Here is this month’s lineup:

• Monday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Butterfly Table at Memorial Lake State Park. Meet near the Middle Lot pavilion and learn about the monarch butterfly from a park naturalist.
• Friday & Saturday, Sept. 12-13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Bear-Hole Trail Drive-Thru at Swatara State Park. Self-guided, 5-mile drive begins at Swopes Valley Trailhead and lets out at the Appalachian Trail Bridge near Lickdale. Get out and explore at designated parking areas at the fossil pit, Daubert School, charcoal pit, and Bordner Cabin. Last entrance is at 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 14, 9-10:30 a.m. – Birding Walk at Memorial Lake State Park. Meet near the Middle Lot pavilion and join the park naturalist for a morning bird walk around Memorial Lake. The park will loan binoculars and field guides, or bring your own.
• Sunday, Sept. 14, 2-3:30 p.m. – Art in the Park at Memorial Lake State Park. Meet near the Middle Lot pavilion and explore your creative side by going on a short walk along the woodland trail to collect natural items to use as models to paint. The park will provide basic watercolors, brushes, paper, and supplementary art materials.
• Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. –Intro to Kayaking at Memorial Lake State Park. Meet at Lower Road boat launch and learn the basics of kayak safety and technique. Kayak, paddle, and lifejacket provided. Pre-registration is required and can be done on the calendar of events page. Cost is $5. Participants must be 12 years or older and able to handle an adult kayak. Participants under 18 must be with a parent. If interested in bringing a child under 12, email at amcgonnell@pa.gov to check for tandem kayak availability.
• Friday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Animal Tracks and Traces Table at Swatara State Park. Explore the world of wildlife tracking at the Swopes Valley Trail Head and observe the skulls and furs of common Pennsylvania mammals.
• Monday, Sept. 22, 1-2:30 p.m. – Pawpaw: PA’s Forgotten Fruit at Boyd Big Tree Preserve. Meet at the education pavilion, then travel together to Hocker Park to learn about the history, biology, and importance of understory pawpaw trees. Take a short hike to find pawpaw patches scattered throughout the park.
• Friday, Sept. 26, 10-11:30 a.m. – Pawpaw: PA’s Forgotten Fruit at Boyd Big Tree Preserve. (See above.)
• Friday, Sept. 26, 1-2:30 p.m. – Insect Investigation at Boyd Big Tree Preserve. Meet at the education pavilion and take a closer look at these important links in the ecosystem, paying special attention to butterflies that can be seen in the meadows.
• Friday & Saturday, Sept. 26-27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Bear-Hole Trail Drive-Thru at Swatara State Park Self-guided, 5-mile drive begins at Swopes Valley Trailhead and lets out at the Appalachian Trail Bridge near Lickdale. Get out and explore at designated parking areas at the fossil pit, Daubert School, charcoal pit, and Bordner Cabin. Last entrance is at 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 27, 10-11:30 a.m. – Fossil Frenzy: Digging into PA’s Past at Swatara State Park. Meet at the Swopes Valley Trailhead, then walk a half-mile walk to site. Learn about the types of fossils that can be found at Swatara State Park, how they were created, and what they have to say about the past. Then try your hand as paleontologists and dig for fossils in the park’s tried-and-true fossil hill. The park will provide plastic digging trowels, or bring your own tools.
• Saturday, Sept. 27, 1-2:30 p.m. – Fall Foliage Hike at Swatara State Park. Meet at Trout Run Trailhead and join the park naturalist for a 1-mile hike to see and discuss the autumn colors. Bring along water and good hiking shoes.
• Sunday, Sept. 28, 10-11:30 a.m. – Nature Journaling at Memorial Lake State Park. Meet near Middle Lot pavilion. In this hands-on program, participants will explore their surroundings and record what they see, hear, and feel using drawing, writing, and curiosity. No artistic experience needed.
• Sunday, Sept. 28, 2-3:30 p.m. – Stream Study at Memorial Lake State Park. Meet near Middle Lot pavilion. Explore the quality of the stream by looking at the creatures that live there. The park will provide strainers, containers, and magnifying glasses, then will lead a discussion about how the group’s findings relate to the stream, the lake, and the rest of the animals in and around the park. Bring shoes you can wear in the stream.