Schedule: Week 8 of Summer in the Park at Warriors’ Path State Park

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — The annual Summer in the Park program at Warriors’ Path State Park is entering its eighth week.

Daily activities ranging from weaving to hikes to old-timey games are planned.

All activities are free to the public.

Here are the events planned for July 15 – 21 (all activities meet in and near the park’s main campground unless otherwise specified):

Monday, July 15

4:30 p.m. – BACKYARD BIRD SEARCH – What birds are hanging out all around us? Come find the common birds of East Tennessee with park staff through a fun scavenger hunt. Meet at the Open Air Chapel.

6 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. Meet at the main bathhouse.

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 16

9 a.m. – WATER’S EDGE HIKE – Enjoy a morning 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.

10 a.m. – BACKPACKING – Have you ever wanted to spend more than just a day in the backcountry? Here’s your chance to gain advice on how to begin your overnight expeditions. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or the main bath house if it is raining.

11:30 a.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!

2 p.m. – POLLINATOR CRAFT – Pollinators don’t get to have all the fun! Meet park staff at the main bathhouse to create a fun pollinator-themed craft.

4 p.m. – TREE WALK – Warriors Path’ is home to a variety of unique trees. Let’s explore the different types of trees we have right here in our park! Meet at the Open Air Chapel with sturdy footwear.

6 p.m. – RELAY RACES – Join us for a fun nature-themed relay race. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared to run! Meet at the Open Air Chapel.

7 p.m. – POLLINATORS ARE PRECIOUS – Let’s take a walk through pollinator country! Come help us discover the creatures who help craft our future by helping plants make seeds. Bring yourself and your keen eyes down to the camp store to begin a short hike.

9 p.m. – PLANTS & POLLINATORS – Enjoy a slide-illustrated talk on native wildflowers, and the “busy bugs” who help them thrive. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or pool entrance if it’s raining.

Wednesday, July 17

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 a.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 of East Tennessee and the special features they have built-in! Meet at the Open Air Chapel.

1 p.m. – SINKING WATERS HIKE – Take a hike to explore the wonders of this unique habitat in the park. Meet at the Sinking Waters Trail parking lot on Cedar Branch Rd.

3:30 p.m. – WEB OF LIFE – Every living thing is part of the web! Help us get really “tied up” in our work as we build our own living web. You’ll see natural places like you’ve never seen them before! Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

5 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!

6:30 p.m. – TENNESSEE TRIVIA – Come test your knowledge and see how well you REALLY know our state with this difficult game of trivia! Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if raining.

7 p.m. – BUILD A BUTTERFLY – Create your own paper butterfly, and discover more about these winged wonders! Meet at the main bathhouse.

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

Thursday, July 18

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

11:30 a.m. – WEATHER OR NOT – People have always wondered about the weather, especially what kind of weather is coming. Come share some old-timey weather folklore and some modern-day wisdom. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

1 p.m. – FINGER WEAVING – Our ancestors had looms for weaving. We may not have looms, but if you “give us a hand,” we can show you another way to weave. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or main bathhouse if it is raining.

2:30 p.m. – CORN HUSK DOLLS CIRCLE – Come listen to a traditional Native American tale on the origins of the corn husk doll. Then learn how to make one for yourself! Meet at the Open Air Chapel (at the main bathhouse if it’s raining).

4:30 p.m. – CAPTURE THE FLAG – Come step back in time and enjoy a Tennessee history-themed game of capture the flag. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to run. Meet at the Open Air Chapel.

5 p.m. – RIVERBANK STROLL – This green river valley has seen generations of travelers. This evening, we’ll travel together and search for signs of the wildlife and the people who came before us. Meet at the main campground bathhouse.

6 p.m. – BIRD UNO – Everyone knows this fun, classic card game! Come enjoy a game with park staff and experience this new version with a birdy twist! Meet at the Open Air Chapel.

7 p.m. – NOISY TOYS – How did the pioneer children make music or noise? Make your very own “musical” instrument with a few simple things from nature. Meet at the Open Air Chapel to create some “beautiful music.” In case of rain, meet at the main bathhouse.

9 p.m. – NIGHT SOUNDS – Nature is full of sounds when the sun goes down! Some seem eerie, but there’s no need to be nervous. Come find out whose noise is whose. Meet at the Open Air Chapel for a short slide show of the creatures who “talk” in the night! (At the pool entrance if it is raining.) NOTE: there will be a special NIGHT SOUNDS contest for children after the show.

Friday, July 19

9 a.m. – ANIMAL TRACK DRAWING – Learn to track down local wildlife. Use your creative skills at the same time! Your unique design is only a “footstep” away. Meet at the main bathhouse.

10 a.m. – WHO AM I? – Let’s play a game of twenty questions with a natural twist! Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or the main bathhouse if it is raining.

11:30 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! Discover the stories about our green neighbors, then use your knowledge to create your own leaf booklet. Meet at the Open Air Chapel (main bathhouse if it’s raining).

1 p.m. – JUNIOR RANGERS: TRAIL CLEANUP – Make our park a cleaner, healthier environment! You’ll make a big difference for our earth, and begin to earn your Junior Ranger badge. Meet at the main bathhouse. Be prepared to get dirty!

2:30 p.m. – BUG QUEST – A whole entire world is right at our feet! Let’s see what discoveries we can make about our park through the insects we find on this bug quest! Meet at the Boundless Playground.

4:30 p.m. – LAKESHORE WALK – Let’s enjoy a nice 1/2-mile walk along the lakeside and take a deeper look into how we can help the nature around us. Meet at the main bathhouse.

6:30 p.m. – HIKE PAW PAW CREEK – Come hike a remote wetland trail and discover the natural diversity in these lush, green woods. Meet at the Mountain Bike Trail parking lot and wear sturdy footwear.

7 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 bath house 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 pool entrance if it rains.

Saturday, July 20

9 a.m. – HIKE THE BONEYARD – Come explore a remote corner of Warriors’ Path, full of geologic 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 park’s Mountain Bike Trail parking area, at the end of Freeman Road, Blountville, TN.

11:30 a.m. – MAKE A SUNDIAL – Now is the 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.

1:30 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.

3 p.m. – WALKING TREES, FLYING PLANTS – 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.

5 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 Boundless Playground.

9 p.m. – ANIMAL SHADOWS – Come help us bring creatures alive through the art of shadow puppetry. Shadow puppets are a staple of growing up and provide plenty of fun! Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and a big imagination! Meet at the main bathhouse.

Sunday, July 21

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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