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 – 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 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
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 – 8:30 p.m., Evening Program, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater. End the day with a family friendly program to create lasting memories. One does 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.)
Aug, 5: Two Truths and a Lie. Find out how much a person really knows about the forest on this short interactive evening hike.
Aug. 12: Stories and S’more. Learn the origins of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers and how they relate to the Monongahela National Forest.
Aug. 19 and 26: Birth by Fire. Spark one’s curiosity for the important role of wildfire in nature.
Saturdays:
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Visiting Artisans, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Aug. 13: Frank Ceravalo, photographer and Stephanie Bender, honey and beeswax products. Aug. 20: Nevada Tribble and Emily Prentice. Aug. 27: Stephanie Bender, honey and beeswax products.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Aug. 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 a.m. – noon and 2 – 3 p.m.
9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
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 – 4 p.m., Pioneer Visits, Sites Homestead; Aug. 6: Spinning Wheels with Enrika McMillon; Aug. 13: Broom Making with Gary Robinson and Old Time Music with Dave and Cindy Proudfoot; Aug. 20, Dulcimer Day; Aug. 27, White Oak Basketry with Judy Van Gundy
2:30 – 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 – 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. One does not need to be a guest of the Seneca Shadows campground to attend.
Aug. 6: Learning Coordinator Becca Myers of Experience Learning and local astronomers will deliver an interactive experience around the moon and dark skies.
Aug. 13: Ben Townsend has traveled across the country and around the world spreading his take on West Virginia music. He performs a rich blend of old-time music on banjo and fiddle.
Aug. 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. He is a vocalist, fiddle player and guitarist.
Aug. 27: Heather Hanna was born and raised in the coal fields of West Virginia. She is an accomplished songwriter and vocalist.
Sundays:
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Visiting Artisans, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Aug. 14: Frank Ceravalo, photographer. Aug. 21: Nevada Tribble and Emily Prentice
9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
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 – 4:30 p.m., Discover the Atlatl, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Test one’s aim with this ancient weapon which predated the bow and arrow.
Mondays:
9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
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 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Sites Homestead is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday and 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.
