Brandywine Creek State Park: Spring Programs

For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Woodford, Nature Center Manager or Nicole Merrick, Naturalist
Brandywine Creek State Park
(302) 655-5740
FAX (302) 577-7756
Barbara.Woodford@state.de.us
Nicole.Merrick@state.de.us

Spring Comes Roaring In with Great Programs at
Brandywine Creek State Park

This spring the staff of Brandywine Creek State Park invites visitors to discover the beauty of its rolling landscape in a series of indoor/outdoor events and programs devoted to bird watching, canoeing, frogs, family activities, children’s activities and more. Here’s a closer look at what’s coming up:

Guided Canoe Trips
Each trip offered includes an American Red Cross Canoe Certified trip leader to safely guide you and your friends and family down the tranquil Brandywine from start to finish. Also, included in each trip is a Brandywine Creek State Park naturalist who will help you experience nature on a whole new level by highlighting the exciting things we see along the way. The fee for each trip is $45 per canoe with a minimum of two people and a maximum of three people per canoe. Participants aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Some snacks will be provided, but bring plenty of water. These trips have limited participation and advance registration is required. Please contact the Nature Center with questions or to register by calling (302) 655-5740.

• Canoeing Basics - 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29
This spring, learn something new and fun at Brandywine Creek State Park. An American Red Cross Canoe certified instructor will teach you all of the basics to get you started on your first canoe trip on the Brandywine. Get up to speed on safety and basic strokes on dry land before a calm 2 hour paddle down the Brandywine. A park naturalist will also be on hand to help identify the turtles, frogs, birds, and wildflowers we will see along the way! Snacks will be provided, but please bring plenty of water. Please be aware that shoes and clothes may get wet. Meet at the Nature Center.

• Wildflowers in Bloom Canoe Trip– 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Enjoy the calm beauty of spring as we search for Virginia Bluebells and other spring wildflowers that appear along the banks of the Brandywine. Join our park naturalist and American Red Cross Canoe certified trip leader on this guided canoe excursion. Some canoeing experience is recommended (such as attending our canoeing basics program). Meet at the Thompson’s Bridge parking lot.

• Birds on the Brandywine Canoe Trip – 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Spend a late spring afternoon paddling the calm Brandywine while listening and looking for all the beautiful birds that can be found along the way. We will stop for along the way for a light snack. Then, we will continue on down the Brandywine listening for the sounds of evening birds. Some canoeing experience is recommended (such as attending our canoeing basics program). Meet at the Thompson’s Bridge parking lot.

• Amphibians and Reptiles of the Brandywine Canoe Trip – 1p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 9
This trip is a surefire way to see a lot of great turtles and perhaps some other amphibians and reptiles while enjoying the beautiful Brandywine valley scenery. We will stop along the way and enjoy a snack provided by Brandywine Creek State Park. Some canoeing experience is recommended (such as attending our canoeing basics program). Meet at the Thompson’s Bridge parking lot.

Exciting Events:
Gather your friends and family for these great park events. This spring, there is something extraordinary for everyone to enjoy. Please call the Park Office or visit our website at www.destateparks.com/brandywine for fees and information.

• Kite Day – 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 21
Celebrate Earth Day at this once-a-year event by trying your hand at making your own kite! Join us for a day of fun and learning and soar to new heights in the great outdoors. The program fee is $2 per kite.

• Gary Lasako Memorial Special Populations Fishing Derby – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Join us for the 27th Annual Special Population Fishing Derby. The derby is presented by the Delaware Trout Association, Brandywine Creek State Park, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Pre-registration is required. For further information, please contact the Nature Center at (302) 655-5740.

• National Trails Day: Cache-in, Trash-out – 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Beginners intro to Geocaching June 2
For beginners, a short introduction to using a GPS unit will be provided.
10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Cache-in, Trash-out Saturday, June 2
Have fun, learn something new, and take care of the park at the same time! Work in teams to located a specially placed geocache (a treasure trove of small rewards) using a GPS Unit. While you are searching for the cache, pick up any trash you spy along the way (gloves and bags will be provided). For the official Delaware State Parks geocaching policies, please see the following website: http://www.destateparks.com/geocache/index.asp. A limited number of GPS Units are available, but bring your own if you have one. There is no fee for this program. Advance registration is required to participate in the Beginners intro to Geocaching.

• Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day at Brandywine Creek State Park – 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 22
In honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, and Arbor Day on Friday, April 27, we head out to Brandywine Creek State Parks’s exclusive Flint Woods Nature Preserve. Learn to appreciate trees in a whole new way during this guided excursion through the Nature Preserve. Leave with tips on selecting trees for your own backyard that are beneficial to wildlife and a tree seedling! Participation is limited to 14 participants. The program fee is $4 per person. Pre-registration is required.


Educational Programs for all ages
The following programs and events meet at the park’s Nature Center. Advance registration is required unless otherwise noted. Register by calling 302-655-5740.

• Bird Walk Series – 8 a.m. Saturdays, March 31, April 28, and May 26
Birders from the Delmarva Ornithological Society will lead this advanced birding trip and offer tips and advice to birdwatchers. The program is free, with light refreshments provided by the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park.

• Owl Prowl – 7:30p.m. - 9p.m. Saturdays May 19 and June 2
Following a presentation about the owls of northern Delaware, participants will head outside to search for signs of the park’s resident owls. Cost is $4 per person. No flashlights please.

• Birding Basics and Breakfast – Continental breakfast 9:30 a.m., and Birding for Beginners at 10 a.m. – 11a.m. Saturday, May 26
Start the day with a hot cup of coffee and a cool look at some of Brandywine Creek’s beautiful birds in this family friendly birding program. First, participants will see and hear some examples and then head out with binoculars on a half-hour hike. Breakfast will be provided by the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park. Program is free of charge, with donations accepted for the park’s bird feeder project.

• What in the World is a Woodcock? – 6p.m.-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14
Learn about the exciting breeding ritual of the American Woodcock from park staff. Then, we’ll head out to try to find a Woodcock performing its breeding display. This program will last approximately 1 ½ hours and pre-registration is required.

• Frogs and Toads at Dusk: Family Fun During Spring Break! – 6:30p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12
We will learn some neat tricks to help you identify our local frogs and toads. Then we’ll head out into the park in search of these wild wonders. Please, no flashlights! This program will last approximately 1 hour. The program fee is $4 per person and pre-registration is required.

• Mysteries of the Night: Family Fun During Spring Break! – 7:30p.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 13
How good is your night vision? Bring your family and friends and explore nature at night. We will listen and look for a variety of nighttime delights! Please, no flashlights! This program will last approximately 1 hour. The program fee is $4 per person and pre-registration is required.

Flint Woods Nature Preserve
The following programs will meet at the park’s Nature Center and travel to the Brandywine Creek State Park’s exclusive Flint Woods Nature Preserve, a satellite area of the park with a mature stand of hardwood trees and rolling terrain. Programs at Flint Woods cost $4 per person and include transportation from the Nature Center.

• GPS Scavenger Hunt – 2p.m. Sunday, March 11
Do you like the outdoors but feel daunted by GPS technology? In this introductory program will teach you all of the basics using park provided GPS units. Then, you will try your hand at our specially designed scavenger hunt using your new GPS skills to guide you. Cost is $4 per person.

• Owl Prowl – 7p.m. Saturday, April 14
Following a presentation about the owls of northern Delaware, participants will head outside to search for signs of the park’s resident owls. Cost is $4 per person. No flashlights please.

• Celebrate Arbor Day at Brandywine Creek State Park – 2p.m. Sunday, April 22
In honor of Arbor Day on Friday, April 27, we head out to Brandywine Creek State Park’s exclusive Flint Woods Nature Preserve. Learn to appreciate trees in a whole new way during this guided excursion through the Nature Preserve. Leave with tips on selecting trees for your own backyard that are beneficial to wildlife! Cost is $4 per person.

• Mysteries of the Night - 7:30p.m Friday, May 18
.How good is your night vision? Bring your family and friends and explore nature at night. We will listen and look for a variety of nighttime delights in our exclusive Flint Woods Nature Preserve! Please, no flashlights! This program will last approximately 2 hours. The program fee is $4 per person and pre-registration is required.

• Animal Communication: How did Doctor Doolittle Do It? – 2p.m. Sunday, May 20
Learn how animals communicate and what they might be ‘saying.’ We will explore bird song, frog calls, squirrel tails, and more. This program will last approximately 2 hours. The program fee is $4 per person and pre-registration is required.

Children’s Programs:
• Terrific Toddlers – 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., for children ages 2-3, $5 per child
Thursday, March 22 and Friday March 23 – “Movin’ & Groovin’” answers questions like, “How do animals get from place to place?” Join us for this program and we’ll learn how animals get around. Put on your movin’ shoes and be ready to jump, fly, and run as we pretend to be our favorite animal and play animal games!
Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20 – “Welcome Spring!” After a long winter nap, spring is finally here! Let’s go on an adventure to look for the colors, sights and sounds of spring. After our adventure, we’ll have a snack and fun craft activity to welcome this colorful season.
Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18 – In “Nature Babies” new animal babies are everywhere! Bring your special someone to this program to learn about how animal mommies take care of their babies. We’ll take a walk outside and look for baby animals and their mommies and then make a lovely gift for your special someone.

• Nature Explorers – 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., for children ages 4-6, $5 per child
Thursday, March 22 – In “Animals on the Move” we’ll learn how our native animals get around and why they move the way they do. We’ll swim, jump, run and fly as we pretend to be our favorite animal.
Thursday, April 19 – “Changes are Springing!” It’s time to get on your hiking shoes! Weather, animals, plants and even you are changing as the weather gets warmer. In this program, we’ll explore outside to find some wonderful changes that spring is bringing, followed by a snack and colorful craft.
Thursday, May 17 – “Oh Baby, How You are Growing!” Animal babies are all around us and growing - just like you! We’ll talk about how animal mothers protect and care for their young. As we take a walk outside, we’ll look for animal mothers caring for their young. We’ll finish with a lovely craft for your special someone.

Advance registration is encouraged for these children’s programs at Brandywine Creek State Park, but walk-ins are welcome if space is available. To register or for more information, please call 302-655-5740.

More About Brandywine Creek State Park: Brandywine Creek State Park offers year-round opportunities for enjoying our wild world. Towering tulip trees, old farm buildings, and rolling hills framed by grey stone walls welcome visitors to this beautiful park. Hiking, picnicking, nature trails, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing and a disc golf course offer visitors a variety of ways to enjoy their day.
Location: Brandywine Creek State Park is located just off the intersection of Route 100 & Rt. 92 on Adam’s Dam Road.
Hours: Park hours of operation are 8 a.m. until sunset, year round.
Admission: Park Admission charged daily May 1 through October 31, 2007. $3.00 per Delaware Registered vehicle, $6.00 per Out-of-State Vehicle. Annual Delaware State Parks admittance permits are now available at Brandywine Creek State Park Office.

For more information on the park, please visit www.destateparks/bcsp/bcsp.asp.
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Barbara Woodford, CIM
Interpretive Manager
Brandywine Creek State Park
Wilmington State Parks
P.O. Box 3782
Greenville, DE 19807
Phone: 302-655-5740
Cell: 302-383-4608
Email: Barbara.Woodford@state.de.us

Brandywine Creek is now accepting registration for 2007 Summer Camps!
Summer Camps are online at www.destateparks.com !