Schedule: Week 6 of Summer in the Park at Warriors’ Path State Park

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Warriors’ Path State Park’s annual Summer in the Park program is now in its sixth week.

From hikes to crafts and more, dozens of events will showcase the park and nature. Patriotic events are also planned for July 4.

All activities are free to the public.

Here are the events planned for July 1 – 7 (all activities meet in and near the park’s main campground unless otherwise specified):

Monday, July 1

9:30 a.m. – WAKE UP WALK – Let’s wake up to the sounds of nature. Meet at the main bathhouse for a refreshing walk through the woods.

4 p.m. – SALAMANDER CRAWL – Although these guys are tiny, they play a big role in our world! Meet at the Boundless Playground for a quick talk on what makes them so special and then we will explore the creek looking for them! Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes that can get wet.

9 p.m. – BEAR AWARE – Black bears are one of Tennessee’s state treasures and it’s up to us to keep them wild. Do you know what to do if you encounter one? How do they differ from other North American bears? Come explore the world of black bears through a slide-illustrated talk with park staff. Meet at the Open Air Chapel (pool entrance if it’s raining).

Tuesday, July 2

9:30 a.m. – DEVIL’S BACKBONE HIKE – Come hike to the high places, and get some new views of our park land. Drive to the camp store, and we’ll carpool to the start of an invigorating hike.

10:30 a.m. – LEAF ID BOOKLET – Leaves are shade on a hot summer day. Leaves are the green carpet of the hills. Leaves are full of amazing stories! Let’s find out more about the names and stories of our green neighbors. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it’s raining.

11:30 a.m. – POISON IVY – Don’t let fear of a little itch keep you out of the lovely summer woods! Learn to be safe around this “sneaky” plant. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it’s raining.

1:30 p.m. – SINKING WATERS HIKE – Take a hike to explore the wonders of a wetland habitat and all that the water in our park has to offer. Meet at the Sinking Waters Trail parking lot on Cedar Branch Rd.

4:30 p.m. – BIRD CALL BINGO – Which bird song is that? Let’s “listen in” to some common Tennessee bird calls, then test our knowledge through a classic game of bingo. You might even get a prize! Meet at the main bathhouse.

6 p.m. – NATURE GAMES – Don’t miss the natural fun – for the young or the young-at-heart! Meet at the Open Air Chapel for some lively games about our natural world. If it’s raining, meet at the main bathhouse.

7 p.m. – BRAINY BIRDS – How smart are you and I compared to a common park bird? Come find out just how smart crows are and how they are able to survive so well. Meet at the main bathhouse.

7:30 p.m. – CANDLE MAKING – We don’t need candles for light, like the early settlers did. But we can enjoy the skill of making them. Come create a “bright memory” of the early days. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

9 p.m. – HUG-A-TREE AND SURVIVE – Do you know how to keep yourself and your children safe in the woods? Enjoy this special slide program on how to keep from getting lost, and how to keep safe if you are lost in the woods. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or (former) pool entrance if it is raining.

Wednesday, July 3

9:30 a.m. – CREEK WALK – Get on your old clothes and tennis shoes. It’s time to explore the cool, clear creek waters. We’ll discover a world of amazing life. Drive to the camp store, and we’ll carpool. Be prepared to get wet!

11:30 a.m. – PLANKTON – For us, the lake is a place to go boating or fishing. But for the micro-world of plankton, it’s a home. Come help us sample this incredible world of tiny lives floating in lake water. Meet at the main bathhouse and we’ll stroll on down to the shore.

2 p.m. – NATURE STORY TIME – Come relax under a big shade tree during the heat of the day and enjoy a story about the natural world around us. Meet at the Boundless Playground.

3 p.m. – “WONDERFUL WACKY WET WEDNESDAY” – Let’s enjoy some kid-friendly water play and learning activities. You might even get to soak the park ranger. Meet at the Open Air Chapel and be prepared to get VERY WET!

5 p.m. – NATURE CONFETTI – Let’s get celebrating early! Join park staff at the main bathhouse to create environmentally friendly nature confetti for your Fourth of July celebrations.

6:30 p.m. – TENNESSEE SYMBOLS JEOPARDY – Let’s try out this natural version of the famous game show. Test your skills and see how much you REALLY know about our state. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

7 p.m. – BEAN ART – Nature is full of amazing colors and patterns. Even ordinary dry beans can help us see the beauty of our earth. Meet at the main bathhouse to create natural art from beans!

8 p.m. – ANIMAL CHARADES – An old favorite with a new twist. See who can act out the best critter! Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

9 p.m. – NIGHT VISION – How does night vision work? Meet at the Campfire Circle to “look into” this amazing tool for us and our nocturnal neighbors.

Thursday, July 4

9:30 a.m. – GOOD MORNING USA WALK – Come wake up to a full day of patriotic events by taking a leisurely morning stroll on the campground’s trails. Meet at the camp store.

12 p.m. – FOURTH OF JULY ROCKETS – Come create your own park-friendly “firework” out of recycled materials. Meet at the main bathhouse. Bring your creativity, and we will bring the supplies!

2 p.m. – PATRIOTIC GAMES – “One if by land, two if by sea…” will guide our field games. Will you be able to conquer the British? Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it’s raining.

5 p.m. – CREATE A CARD – Looking for a new way to celebrate the Fourth of July? Come celebrate by making a card for those who have served our country and helped our communities. Meet at the main bathhouse.

6 p.m. – PARADE PREP – Join us at the main bathhouse to decorate your wagon, your bicycle, your stroller, or even your dog’s leash for the 7 p.m. Mini Parade. Everyone is welcome. Children under 10 must bring a parent.

7 p.m. – CAMPGROUND PARADE – Bring your patriotic, decorated gear and meet us at the main bathhouse to begin our campground parade! Everyone is welcome. Children under 10 must bring a parent.

Friday, July 5

9 a.m. – RIPARIAN HIKE – “Riparian” means “along the creek bank.” It also means an extra-rich wildlife habitat! Come along for an “extra-cool” hike near Fall Creek. Drive to the camp store, and we’ll carpool.

10 a.m. – PAPER PLATE MASKS – What can you be? A wolf? A bear? A kitten? Or maybe a creature you design yourself! Bring your imagination to the main bath house.

11 a.m. – MAKE A SUNDIAL – Now is a perfect time to find out how to use our earth’s oldest clock! Meet at the Open Air Chapel for some bright discoveries, or main bathhouse if it’s raining.

1 p.m. – ANIMAL ARCHITECTS – Animals can build their homes in a variety of ways. For some animals, making a home is a lot of work! Come learn about one of Tennessee’s most notorious architects, the beaver, and how they make a nice home for themselves and others! Meet at the main bathhouse.

3 p.m. – LIFE UNDER LOGS – Come dig into the world of trees and the little critters that use them for homes! We will go on a hike along the Lakeshore Trail (1/2 mile) hunting for the little critters that love to hide under logs and figure out why they’re so important to our park. Meet at the main bathhouse.

4:30 p.m. – TURTLE TALK – Some creatures build their homes, others find them, and some are lucky enough to have them built in! Come learn about the turtles you can find here in East Tennessee and some of the special features they have built-in. Meet at the Open Air Chapel.

5 p.m. – WATER’S EDGE HIKE – Enjoy an evening walk on the Lakeshore Trail. We’ll discover more about animals and plants who live each day “on the edge.” Meet at the main bathhouse.

6 p.m. – OLD TIMEY GAMES – Enjoy some good old fun! Try some games from the early settlement days of East Tennessee. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it’s raining.

9 p.m. – TENNESSEE TALES – Enjoy new insights into Tennessee folklife as we share some good old traditional tall tales. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or (former) pool entrance if it rains.

Saturday, July 6

8:30 a.m. – HIKE THE WHITETAIL LOOP – Come explore a remote corner of Warriors’ Path, full of wildlife discovery. This will be a challenging 2-3 mile hike, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes, good hiking shoes, and bring some drinking water. Meet at the Mountain Bike Trail parking lot (Freeman Rd, Blountville)

10 a.m. – NATURE RUBBINGS – Let’s “rub up against” some nature discoveries. Create a lasting reminder of nature’s amazing textures. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

11 a.m. – CREEK CLEAN-UP – Here is a volunteer opportunity! Help us pick up the litter that has accumulated around the creek. Meet at the entrance to the Boundless Playground.

1 p.m. – MAGNIFYING GLASS STROLL – Use your eyes and some handy little magnifiers to get a close look at nature’s amazing details. Meet at the main bathhouse to begin a short discovery walk.

4 p.m. – CHALK CRITTERS – What’s at home here? Decorate the park with sketches of park wildlife “at home” in their habitats. Meet at the main bathhouse.

6 p.m. – SEED RACES – Wind, water, and animals carry seeds of new trees and plants all across the land. Our “wind” can help too! Meet at the Open Air Chapel to show off your “hot air” and plant some new life. Meet at the main bathhouse if it rains.

8 p.m. – ANIMAL HOMES – Meet some small live “guest speakers” and discover more about who is “at home” here at the park. Come to the Open Air Chapel to find out about their habitats, and ours. In case of rain, meet at the main bathhouse.

Sunday, July 7

9 a.m. – WORSHIP SERVICE – Enjoy a peaceful morning worship service at the Open Air Chapel, or at the pool entrance if it is raining. Sponsored by the Colonial Heights Baptist Church.

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