Sonora, California, June 29, 2017 – The Calaveras and Summit Ranger districts on the Stanislaus National Forest are offering free interpretive programs this summer! Between now and August visitors can experience and learn about the amazing Forest and the creatures that call it home. Forest interpretive programs enhance the visitor’s experience by creating an exciting opportunity to learn about the many wonders within the Stanislaus National Forest. Summer programs are a great way to have fun, learn about nature and history, and give families a chance to spend time together in the great outdoors.

This season features live-animal presentations, old-fashioned unplugged campfire programs, Native American cultural programs, craft programs, guided walks for teens and adults, and several programs geared for children ages 4 to 12. Children will have the opportunity to earn their Stanislaus Junior Ranger badge through a combination of attending interpretive programs of their choice, completing booklet activities, and/or picking up a bag of garbage.
Calaveras Ranger District Programs
Lake Alpine Recreation Area:
Lake Alpine Recreation Area is located in Alpine County on Highway 4 approximately three miles east of Bear Valley Village. Programs are held in the Marmot Day Use Area, at the tables near the parking lot or at the amphitheater. In the event that road conditions delay or prevent the opening of Lake Alpine, programs will be moved to the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum and White Pines Park in Arnold, California; visit the Forest web site for updates.
· Wednesdays – Native American Crafts and Games, 11 a.m. – 12 noon; Guided Walk, 2 – 3 p.m.
· Thursdays – Animal Tracking, 11 a.m. – 12 noon; Guided Walk, 2 – 3 p.m.
· Fridays – Waterworld Explorers 11 a.m. – 12 noon; Fish N’ Fish Printing 2 – 3 p.m. ($5 materials fee for printing on a T-shirt or tote bag; printing on paper is free)
· Saturdays – Forest Explorers 11 a.m. – 12 noon; Live-Animal Presentations, 2-3 p.m., July 1, 8, 22 and August 5; Campfire Program, 7 – 8 p.m., July 15, 29, and August 12.
Wakalu Hep Yo Campground Amphitheater:
All programs are held on Saturdays. Topics include fish and fish printing, Native American crafts and games, guided walks, pine needle basket weaving, flint knapping, and local Native American history.

To reach the Wakalu Hep Yo Campground, take Highway 4 to Dorrington and turn east onto Boards Crossing Road. Follow the signs and continue five miles to the campground.

For more information on these programs, please contact the Calaveras Ranger District front desk at: 209-795-1381 or the interpretation office at (209) 813-6024; or visit the Stanislaus NF website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus. From the home page, click on Recreation on the left sidebar and then Outdoor Learning for a calendar of events and to download a program schedule. There is also a link to summer interpretive programs directly from the home page.

Summit Ranger District Programs
Weekly programs
Mondays:
Junior Ranger 2 – 3 p.m. June 26 – Aug. 7
Hands-on activities will introduce explorers to the world we live in and how to care for the outdoors we love. Meet at Pinecrest Amphitheater. Ages 4-104.

Tuesdays:
Tall Tales and Silly Songs 10 – 11 a.m. June 27 – Aug. 8
Meet at Pinecrest Amphitheater for a delightful hour of interactive songs with ever-popular Bill Roberson and his creative cadre of story tellers Cynthia Restivo, BZ Smith or Jennifer Aguirre. All ages.

Critters, Conifers and Clay 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. July 4, 11, 18, 25 ($10 Materials Fee)
Learn about the plants and animals of the forest by creating fun clay projects. Children under seven must be assisted by an adult. Space is limited. Meet next to Pinecrest Amphitheater.

Wednesdays:
What’s Buggin’ You? 10 – 11:30 a.m. June 28 – Aug. 9 ($5 Materials Fee)
Discover life within the aquatic ecosystem. Print a T-shirt with stamps depicting creatures of the water world. Meet at Pinecrest Chalet, approx.1 mile up Dodge Ridge Road on the right. Look for the wooden bear! All ages.

Thursdays:
Me-Wuk Lifeways 10 – 11 a.m. • June 29 – Aug.10
Carlos Geisdorf of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk will captivate you with stories and activities from his cultural heritage. Meet at Summit Ranger Station. All ages.

Fridays:
Trees and Trails 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. June 30 – Aug. 11
Discover the wonder of nature on these fun hikes that last 2 to 4 hours depending on destination. Gas up your car, bring lunch, water and sturdy walking shoes. Meet at Summit Ranger Station. Contact Ranger Station (209.965.3434) for info on destinations. All ages.

Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club 2 – 3 p.m. June 30 – Aug. 11
Learn about Woodsy Owl and exciting ways you can “Lend a hand – care for the land!” Meet at Pinecrest Amphitheater. Ages 4-104.

Saturdays:
Nature Crafts 2 – 3 p.m. July 1- Aug. 12
Make a beautiful art project from the gifts of nature using cones, leaves, rocks, etc. Meet at Pinecrest Amphitheater. For ages 5-105.

Sundays:
Nature Detective 2 – 3 p.m. July 2 – Aug 13
Look for clues in the forest, solve a mystery and become a nature detective with Interpretive Staff. Meet at Pinecrest Amphitheater. Ages 4-104.

Join Us before The Movie 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Before “Movies under the stars,” join Interpretive Staff at Pinecrest Amphitheater for a short, lively 15-minute program. You never know what’s in store, so come early and enjoy!

Monday Evenings: 8:30 – 9:30 P.M. at Pinecrest Amphitheater

Snakes Alive! July 3 Special start time: 6 p.m.
Mike Sutton returns with a living showcase of different reptiles to view and touch (if you dare!). He’ll share his passion for these wonderful creatures and remind us to let wildlife be wild.

Songs and tales from the Fire Lines July 10
Enjoy an evening of songs and stories as the Forest Service Balladeers capture the excitement of firefighting.

Water – the Real Gold July 17
Water is one of the most precious resources on the Forest. Explore the journey of water through time and place with Interpretive Ranger Scott Skatell.

Crandall in the Hole July 24
Return to the days when railroad logging was king. We’ll reprise Gary Hines’ classic presentation as part of an old-time campfire program.

Stories in Stone July 31
Relive a traditional Pinecrest classic. Discover local, cultural history through photo archives and stories in a family campfire setting with Interpretive Ranger Shawn.

Batty About Our Insect-Eating Friends Aug. 7
Live bats of California native species are presented for viewing and discussion by NorCal Bats. Learn the importance of bats in our environment and the harmful myths that surround them.

Wednesday Evenings: 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. Pinecrest Amphitheater

Wild Things July 5
Discover wildlife up close in this incredible program featuring an assortment of rescued California birds and mammals. Learn about these creatures and how to let wildlife be wild.

Tales of the Mother Lode July 12
Hard Luck Lin spins yarns of the Gold Rush much like those early California Argonauts who sat around campfires warming hands, drying britches, and sharing tales.

Friendly Fire July 19
A 49er’s Life with the Me Wuk people tells the story of a 49er in 1851 and his new appreciation of the Me-Wuk world and his struggle to deflect catastrophe. Duende, Thomas Maguire.

Songs and Stories of the Sugarpine Railroad July 26
The Forest Service Balladeers present songs and stories of bygone days when railroad logging was king of the mountain.

Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Singers and Dancers Aug. 2
You are invited to a special celebration. Through song and dance, members of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Tribe will share their cultural traditions.

Python Ron Aug. 9
Ron McGee brings a reptile adventure! He’ll share his passion for these wonderful creatures and remind us all to let wildlife be wild.

For more information on these programs, please contact the Summit Ranger District front desk at: 209-965-3434 or the interpretation office at (209) 965-3434 ext. 5459; or visit the Stanislaus NF website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.

All programs are supported through donations made to Three Forests Interpretive Association (3FIA). 3FIA is a non-profit educational organization that helps visitors and users of the Sequoia, Sierra, and Stanislaus National Forests appreciate and understand the Forests while helping the Forest Service with its mission to conserve public lands. For more information about 3FIA, visit their website at http://www.3forests.us/.
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