In this issue:

March Programs at Harris Lake County Park

Outdoor Survival Spring Break Camp

Programs at the American Tobacco Trail

Longleaf Festival

Day Camps

Geocaching 101 at Harris Lake County Park

This Saturday! March 10; 2–3:30 p.m. *A few spaces remain!

For ages 6 and up; $1 per person

Geocaching is like a treasure hunt where participants use GPS coordinates to track down hidden "caches". Learn what geocaching is all about and take off to find a geocache in the park.

We will provide a GPS unit per family and instruction on how to use them.

Feel free to bring your own unit or smartphone with a geocache app.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Family Orienteering

Sunday, March 11; 1–3 p.m.

For ages 4 and up; $1 per person

Learn how to navigate using a compass. When you think you are ready, we'll send you off on an orienteering course that takes you around the day use area of the park. This family activity is perfect for beginners. We will have compasses or you may bring your own.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Kids Discover Nature Preschool Programs:

"Hide and Seek in Nature"

Monday, March 12; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

For ages 1-7; $4 per child

Kids love to find things in nature - nature is great at hiding! We will read a story about camouflage, observe some critters that hide in nature and play a game to find things hidden in the woods.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Catchin' Crappie

Saturday, March 24; 6–8 p.m.

For ages 7 and up; $1/person

Early spring is Crappie time! Kids join us and learn how to catch this very tasty and important fish. 

Topics covered will include gear rigging, knot tying, bait selection and tactics to catch crappie.

Bring your own pole or use one of ours.

Meet at the Fishing Pier.

Hooked on Fishing!

Sunday, March 25; 2–5 p.m.

Free for all ages

Join our group of NCSU students to learn how to cast, tie and bait your hook, then hopefully catch a fish! There will be opportunities to fish from a canoe, play fishing games, make an origami fish and enjoy a presentation from our NC Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Officer. All experience levels welcome.

We will have poles and bait for you to use but feel free to bring your own if you have a favorite, as well as a chair and water bottle. Participants 16 and over must have a current NC fishing license.

Meet at the Fishing Pond.

Register here for this special program with NCSU Parks, Recreation and Tourism students!

Nature Lab: Bird Bonanza

Thursday, March 29; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For ages 7-11; $16 per child

What makes a bird a bird? We'll get to know our feathered friends and their adaptations for survival through hands-on activities, games, a bird watching hike and more! Observe some native birds of different kinds up close with our educational mounts. Bring a snack, lunch and water bottle.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Full Moon Hike at Harris Lake County Park

Saturday, March 31; 7:30 – 9 p.m.

For all ages; $1 per person

We’ll let the moon light our way and the frogs serenade us as we explore the trails and ponds at Harris for signs of nighttime critters.

Meet at the Loblolly Shelter.

Outdoor Survival Day Camp

Tuesday, April 3 - Thursday, April 5

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For ages 7-12; $100 per child

Five spaces remaining!

Spend three days of spring break practicing fun outdoor survival skills!

As we explore the park, you will learn to build a debris shelter and a fire, discover tricks for finding signs of wildlife, make your own take-home survival pack and more.

Discovery Hike on the American Tobacco Trail

Sunday, March 11; 9:30-10:30 a.m.

For all ages; $1 per person

March is a great time to discover nature on the American Tobacco Trail. Take a 1.5-mile hike down the Trail to the Beaver Creek Bridge. Look for new beginnings in nature.

Meet at the New Hill parking area at the upper picnic table (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd., Apex)

Geocaching 101 on the American Tobacco Trail 

Saturday, April 7; 9:30-11 a.m.

For ages 6 and up; $1 per person

Geocaching is like a treasure hunt where participants use GPS coordinates to track down hidden “caches”. Learn what geocaching is all about and take off to find a geocache in the park! We will provide one GPS unit per family and instruction on how to use them. Feel free to bring your own unit or smartphone with a geocache app. Register early as class size is limited.

Meet at the New Hill parking area at the upper picnic table (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd., Apex

Statewide Star Party at White Oak Parking Field

Friday April 20; 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Free for all ages for NC Science Festival

Wake County Parks, NCSU Natural Resource students, Agape Center for Environmental Education and Wake County Solid Waste are once again cohosting the 2018 Statewide Star Party themed "Anyone Out There?" as part of the NC Science Festival. This free event will take place at the back field of the White Oak parking area under the stars. All ages and skill levels are welcome. There will be fun hands-on activities early in the evening. As the sun goes down, enjoy constellation storytelling and observe the night sky through telescopes (set up by experts) and binoculars. Bring your curiosity, water bottle, chair or blanket, your own viewing instrument if you have one and dress for the weather.

Free for the NC Science Festival – Registration is not required.

Meet at the White Oak parking area (1305 White Oak Church Rd., Apex)

Save the Date for Longleaf Festival

Harris Lake County Park

Saturday, May 19; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wagon rides to our Longleaf Forest, many exhibitors to visit, live animals, games and crafts for kids,

food trucks, entertainment!

Fun for all ages!

If interested in exhibiting or volunteering at Longleaf Festival, please contact

Jackie Trickel at j [email protected]  or 919-387-4344.

Follow our Longleaf Festival page for updates!

Day Camps at Harris Lake County Park are open for registration!

Mini Discovery Camps for 4-7 year olds:

June 18-22, July 9-13, and August 6-10

Discovery Day Camps for 7-11 year olds:

June 25-29 and July 16-20