Seneca Rocks, W.Va., (Hinton News) – Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and the historic Sites Homestead, in cooperation with the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association, are offering a full schedule of programs for the month of August. Everyone is welcome to join the staff for a variety of interesting and engaging free programs. All programs are subject to change or cancellation at any time.
THURSDAYS
- 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Storytime with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Enjoy a morning outdoors with stories and games perfect for preschool and early elementary-age children.
FRIDAYS
- 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan your day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association.
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Junior Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Make connections to the area’s natural and cultural history with activities for the young and young at heart.
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Evening Program, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater. End your day with a family-friendly program to create lasting memories. You do not need to be a guest of the Seneca Shadows Campground to attend. (In the event of rain, this program will be held at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center.) Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association in cooperation with American Land & Leisure.
- August 5: Two Truths and a Lie. Find out how much you really know about the forest on this short interactive evening hike.
- August 12: Stories and S’more. Learn the origins of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers and how they relate to the Monongahela National Forest.
August 19 & 26: Birth by Fire. Spark your curiosity for the important role of wildfire in nature.
SATURDAYS
- 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Visiting Artisans, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association. August 13: Frank Ceravalo, photographer and Stephanie Bender, honey and beeswax products. August 20: Nevada Tribble and Emily Prentice. August 27: Stephanie Bender, honey and beeswax products.
- 11 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on August 13, Smokey Bear’s Birthday Celebration, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Celebrate Smokey Bear on his birthday and enjoy giveaways, special treats, and a visit from Smokey Bear from 11:00 a.m. –
- 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan your day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association.
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Junior Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Make connections to the area’s natural and cultural history with activities for the young and young at heart.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Pioneer Visits, Sites Homestead; August 6: Spinning Wheels with Enrika McMillon; August 13: Broom Making with Gary Robinson and Old Time Music with Dave and Cindy Proudfoot; August 20, Dulcimer Day; August 27, White Oak Basketry with Judy Van Gundy
- 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Discover Foraging, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Learn the rules and best practices for finding food and drink in the forest to enjoy a taste of the past.
- 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Concert and Speaker Series, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater. Kick back to the sounds of local musicians or sit up and take note as subject matter experts share their knowledge. You do not need to be a guest of the Seneca Shadows campground to attend. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association in cooperation with American Land & Leisure.
- August 6: Learning Coordinator Becca Myers of Experience Learning and local astronomers will deliver an interactive experience around the moon and dark skies.
- August 13: Ben Townsend has traveled across the country and around the world spreading his take on West Virginia music. Ben performs a rich blend of old-time music on banjo and fiddle.
- August 20: Jesse Milnes grew up in the world of West Virginia old-time music, learning from masters like Melvin Wine and Ernie Carpenter as well as his father, Gerry Milnes. Jesse is a vocalist, fiddle player and guitarist.
- August 27: Heather Hanna was born and raised in the coal fields of West Virginia. Heather is an accomplished songwriter and vocalist.
SUNDAYS
- 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Visiting Artisans, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association. August 14: Frank Ceravalo, photographer. August 21: Nevada Tribble and Emily Prentice
- 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan your day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association.
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Junior Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Make connections to the area’s natural and cultural history with activities for the young and young at heart.
- 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Discover the Atlatl, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Test your aim with this ancient weapon which predated the bow and arrow.
MONDAYS
- 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger. Plan your day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table. Sponsored by the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Junior Ranger. Make connections to the area’s natural and cultural history with activities for the young and young at heart. - Seneca Rocks Discovery Center is open Thursday through Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Sites Homestead is open Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
For more information about programs or to inquire about becoming a visiting artisan, contact Alison Bailey at (304) 567-2827 or alison.bailey@usda.gov.
