The Naturalist Notebook

Children who are allowed free, unstructured time outdoors show increased levels of happiness, cooperation, self-confidence, and tend to maintain a healthier body weight. Kids who take risks outside show improved motor coordination and general ease of movement, especially when involved in physical activities, both functional and recreational. Developing a sense of self is a multifaceted…

Hoot hoot! Our first Owl Prowl of the season is coming up quickly! Join us on Friday, February 24 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. We will take a close look at the injured owls that live at Shaver’s Creek, and learn how owls survive the winter. Then we’ll head outside and try out some of the wild…

The Kids Corner program is up and running:10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center—Discovery RoomWednesdays, February 22, 29, and March 7Cost: FREE thanks to the support of our members and sponsor Growing Tree Toys Exciting, environmental programs for preschool-aged participants and their parents or grandparents!  Crafts, games, experiential learning, and more. Last week’s program focused on…

With winter programs happening at Shaver’s Creek like wreath-making and the Solstice Sale & Stroll, it may not seem like we are closed to the general public – but in fact we were, for a couple of months, at least.  Of course the staff has been busy – teaching classes both here and on campus,…

Registration for Shaver’s Creek’s 2012 Summer Camps is now CLOSED! Please note that during our member registration period in January and non-member registration in February, many camps were filled. As of May 11, ALL camps are now FULL: Discovery/Explorer 4-day camps: ~ June 26–29 (Full, no waitlist) ~ June 19–22 (Full, no waitlist) ~ July…

Some form of parasitic insect injected an irritant into the stem or leaf of a local plant that reacted by forming a gall, a ball-like structure within which the insect eggs or larvae will live throughout winter.  We found this gall on a weekend hike in State College, with itty-bitty larvae tucked inside.  It is…

No matter how old you are, looking up at the stars at night always seems to put things in perspective.  How many stars are out there?  What do those planets look like through a telescope? What if I’m just a tiny speck inside a giant vacuum…? Well, if you like stars, planets, and existential questions, (or…

Here at Farm Show many of the Shaver’s Creek staff past and present have come together for a week long affair to teach about Pennsylvania’s native creatures. Farm Show is a week long annual event in Harrisburg celebrating the state’s agriculture, diversity and culture. Families, farmers and many more gather to watch livestock competitions, enjoy…

Cassi “Twister” Reimer’s discovery of TerraCycle’s “how to make a fancy bow out of food wrappers” has inspired three things, to date.  A lively craft session, full of Middleswarth and Utz and Toll House cookie wrappers, documented in a previous post, was the first.  Second was an appearance on Central PA Live, where the process…

You might imagine that we have a multitude of photos archived here at Shaver’s Creek – after all, we’ve been around for over 35 years, offer many diverse programs, and there’s a lot of history in this place even before Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center was created. So, in 2012, we’re celebrating by posting a new…