We're having our Opening Weekend tomorrow, May 2, and Sunday, May 3! This weekend we're featuring "Camouflage Animals." Visitors can paint their own owls, deer, and frogs to take home, learning about forest adaptations and the hidden lives of animals. Our hours are Saturday, 10-4, and Sunday 12-4. Closed in the pouring rain, but not in light showers.
For Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th, the Center is offering "Mother's Day Beading." Visitors of all ages can make a bracelet or necklace for a Mother's Day gift--or bring your Mom along to help you choose the seed bead colors. The Lewis and Clark Exploratory staff will be available to finish up your piece and to put on the clasp--and to teach you how.
Admission is $3 per person (same price for children and adults). We're located in Darden Towe Park off Stony Point Road. (Take the 250E Bypass to Pantops, a left onto Stony Point Road, and another left onto Elks Drive after less than a mile. Curve your way into the park.) Admittance on the weekend of the "Mother's Day Beading" activity includes one necklace or bracelet per person. Extra jewelry pieces are $3 for a necklace and $2 for a bracelet.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
April 26th River Celebration at the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center
Here is the poster for our April 26th Event! We hope to see you there!
Friday, April 3, 2009
River Events
Two exciting events are coming our way: the 2nd Annual Rivanna River Sojourn, Sunday,April 19, 2009, from the Rivanna Conservation Society, and the Rivanna River Regatta and Races on Saturday, May 9th.
The Rivanna River Sojourn, offered by the Rivanna Conservation Society, is a professionally guided paddle down the Rivanna, focusing on the beauty and history of the river. Families are welcome. Full Sojourn(16.5 Mile Paddle): $75 per adult ($65.00 under 12)Mini Sojourn (6.5 Mile Paddle): $65.00 per adult ($55 under 12). For more info, see www.rivannariver.org
And this is from a Regatta announcement: "The 4th annual Rivanna River Regatta and Races are scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2009. This annual event includes several classes of races and a recreational paddle. The several classes of races include the highly competitive Open class, a Tandem class, a Parent/Child class and a shorter, less challenging Under Age 14 race with cash prizes in each category up to $100. There is no entrance fee and this event is open to the public. For those who enjoy paddling at a slower pace, they may come and participate in a recreational paddle with others who do not wish to participate in the races on this 8.5 mile stretch of the scenic Rivanna River that skirts Charlottesville from north to east.
"Those wishing to participate in the event should assemble under the Route 29 bridge on Rio Mills Road (just north of Sam’s Club on the upstream side of the bridge) between 9-9:30am on May 9 for sign-in. The first race starts promptly at 10am. Sign-in for the shorter, Under Age 14 race will start at 12pm at Darden Towe Park and that race will begin at 1pm sharp at the north end of Darden Towe Park. The awards ceremony will be at the Darden Towe boat ramp at 1:30pm. This is also the finish line for all races. " Contact info: 434-975-3072; email: RAMBISHOP@aol.com There is also a Facebook page under Rivanna River Regatta group.
The Rivanna River Sojourn, offered by the Rivanna Conservation Society, is a professionally guided paddle down the Rivanna, focusing on the beauty and history of the river. Families are welcome. Full Sojourn(16.5 Mile Paddle): $75 per adult ($65.00 under 12)Mini Sojourn (6.5 Mile Paddle): $65.00 per adult ($55 under 12). For more info, see www.rivannariver.org
And this is from a Regatta announcement: "The 4th annual Rivanna River Regatta and Races are scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2009. This annual event includes several classes of races and a recreational paddle. The several classes of races include the highly competitive Open class, a Tandem class, a Parent/Child class and a shorter, less challenging Under Age 14 race with cash prizes in each category up to $100. There is no entrance fee and this event is open to the public. For those who enjoy paddling at a slower pace, they may come and participate in a recreational paddle with others who do not wish to participate in the races on this 8.5 mile stretch of the scenic Rivanna River that skirts Charlottesville from north to east.
"Those wishing to participate in the event should assemble under the Route 29 bridge on Rio Mills Road (just north of Sam’s Club on the upstream side of the bridge) between 9-9:30am on May 9 for sign-in. The first race starts promptly at 10am. Sign-in for the shorter, Under Age 14 race will start at 12pm at Darden Towe Park and that race will begin at 1pm sharp at the north end of Darden Towe Park. The awards ceremony will be at the Darden Towe boat ramp at 1:30pm. This is also the finish line for all races. " Contact info: 434-975-3072; email: RAMBISHOP@aol.com There is also a Facebook page under Rivanna River Regatta group.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wildlife Center of Virginia
Yesterday I visited Virginia's only wildlife hospital, the Wildlife Center in Waynesboro, and took the tour of the indoor and outdoor facility. (The Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center is interested in hosting one of the Wildlife Center's educational programs for our summer camps and for our afterschool program in the fall.)
There were many children on the tour who were fascinated by the stories of animal rescue and the little known facts about animal saftey. We learned how to mount decals on windows to help birds avoid flying into the glass (the decals are shaped like birds of prey, so they not only deflect glare, they also scare other birds away because of shape recognition). We were told that throwing an apple from a car can attract animals that may then get hit--so even though the apple is biodegradable, it still should be properly disposed of. And the tour leader taught us that a lone fawn is not usually orphaned--the mother tends to leave the baby alone during the day, so her presence doesn't attract predators to the baby.
We also got a close look at Spike, the resident snapping turtle-educator (animal educators have injuries that make release into the wild impossible), and Pignoli, the one-eyed barred owl.
The Wildlife Center offers many interesting on-site and traveling programs for children, including "Camouflage," which takes place in the woods and teaches how animals blend into their environments.
There were many children on the tour who were fascinated by the stories of animal rescue and the little known facts about animal saftey. We learned how to mount decals on windows to help birds avoid flying into the glass (the decals are shaped like birds of prey, so they not only deflect glare, they also scare other birds away because of shape recognition). We were told that throwing an apple from a car can attract animals that may then get hit--so even though the apple is biodegradable, it still should be properly disposed of. And the tour leader taught us that a lone fawn is not usually orphaned--the mother tends to leave the baby alone during the day, so her presence doesn't attract predators to the baby.
We also got a close look at Spike, the resident snapping turtle-educator (animal educators have injuries that make release into the wild impossible), and Pignoli, the one-eyed barred owl.
The Wildlife Center offers many interesting on-site and traveling programs for children, including "Camouflage," which takes place in the woods and teaches how animals blend into their environments.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Summer Camps Scheduled
We've scheduled our "Camp Explore" summer camps for this year, and we're excited about all the activities planned: kayaking and hiking and journal drawing among them. The weeks of June 8th and June 15th we're hosting children who are recent refugees from countries such as Afghanistan and Somalia. These weeks are made possible by a generous grant from BamaWorks, the charitable arm of the Dave Matthews Band. The International Rescue Committee is spreading the word among families who have recently made Charlottesville their new home.
The weeks of June 22 and July 6th the City of Charlottesville's summer camp participants (elementary school and Middle School children) will be returning after another busy year. We are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces as well as some new ones. The Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center will also offer a special kayaking workshop July 15th and 16th to the City of Charlottesville kids of Walker and Tonsler. Last year being on the river for the first time was the highlight for many of the campers. We hope to bring them increased confidence on the Rivanna River this year--and the wonderful opportunity to cool off and have fun.
The weeks of June 22 and July 6th the City of Charlottesville's summer camp participants (elementary school and Middle School children) will be returning after another busy year. We are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces as well as some new ones. The Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center will also offer a special kayaking workshop July 15th and 16th to the City of Charlottesville kids of Walker and Tonsler. Last year being on the river for the first time was the highlight for many of the campers. We hope to bring them increased confidence on the Rivanna River this year--and the wonderful opportunity to cool off and have fun.
Friday, February 27, 2009
New Email Address
The Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center has a new email address: lewisandclark@lewisandclarkeast.org Drop us a line! We're getting geared up for our 2009 season, and we're taking reservations from school, scouting and tourist groups that want to visit outside of our regular May through October weekend hours. April is a popular month for special tours. Call or email for more information.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
April 26, 2009 Event
We're having the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center Spring Open House Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Keelboat Barn in Darden Towe Park from 3 PM to 5:30 PM. Music will be by the Duke Merrick Band (Virginia/Texas Swing). There will be light hors d'oeuvres, a fish fry, beverages, and a silent auction of boats and other river-related items. Some of the auction items will be adventure related: including a guided float down the Rivanna River, a kayak lesson, and a picnic with nature journalling. The public is invited. Please come and enjoy yourselves at our beautiful site! Admission to the event will be $5.00. Children under 12 will be free. RSVP at 434-979-2425 or by email at lewisandclark@lewisandclarkeast.org
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