York County Department of Parks & Recreation
(NF - No Fee;  NPR - No Pre-Registration)

Nixon County Park’s Rock and Mineral Weekend
October 18th – 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
October 19th – 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

See out for a variety of displays, the famous fossil pit, children’s activities and rock, minerals, fossil and gem dealers. York College of Pennsylvania will present geologic educational stations on the front yard on Saturday that will help advance scouts through various badges. Of course, these stations are fun to visit by anyone. Below is a listing of the special programs taking place during the weekend.
 

February 14, 2009: Sweetheart Hike
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Area, 7 p.m.
Jeri Jones, York County Parks Program Coordinator, will lead a 2-mile stroll on this special day to observe creatures of the night. We will attempt to see deer, call in owls and do some fun night-time activities. NF, pre-register by calling 428-1961.

March 21, 2009: History and Mystery of Raab Park
Raab Park, 1–3 p.m.
Badges—Cadette & Senior: Heritage Hunt (T1)
Go back in time with Jeri Jones, Parks Program Coordinator, and learn about one of the 19th century’s leading industries in York County. Find out how miners removed and shipped ore and see how this history has been preserved today. Learn about the park’s efforts to conserve the bats living in some mineshafts. Meet at the parking lot on Hoff Rd. for a two-mile hike with steep terrain. Please wear proper hiking attire. NF, please call 428-1961 to pre-register.

April 24, 2009: Girl Scout Sky Search Badge
Rudy Park Observatory, 7–9 p.m.
Badges—Juniors: Sky Search
Jeri Jones, York County Parks Program Coordinator, will present hands-on activities that will satisfy the requirements for this badge. Patches will be provided to all participants at the conclusion of the program. Program is for scouts only and is limited to 20 girl scouts. Registration begins at 6:40 p.m. $8 non-refundable fee, please call 428-1961 beginning January 13 to pre-register. Individual registrations only will be accepted. No troop registrations will be accepted. Cloudy skies/inclement weather will not cancel this program.

April 30, 2009: Senior Excursion
Rocky Ridge Park, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
Take a ride in the People Mover to see the facilities and features of the first county park. The ride will feature the three picnic areas, a scenic overlook and a 1-mile ride into the backwoods. Cost is $5/person. Call 840-7440 to register.

July 6-10, 2009: Archaeology Week I
August 10-14, 2009: Archaeology Week II
Co-sponsored with the York County Heritage Trust, this week of hard work and fun allows the students to learn the correct procedures of doing archaeology and learning about the area’s history. Students will excavate at an archaeological site. Students will learn how to take notes, draw maps, identify and catalog artifact and build a display. Cost is $125 for the week. Times are daily from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. To register, call the York County Parks at (717) 840-7440 or go to www.yorkcountyparks.org and download the Nature Discovery Weeks brochure and registration information.


July 25, 2009

Panning for Gold, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Cross roads parking lot in Spring Valley County Park to learn how to pan for gold. Co-sponsored by the regional chapter of the East Coast Gold Prospectors Association, gold can be found in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek. The program is free with no pre-registration required. Participants should bring a pie pan and small container for their gold.