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Public Programs


A family bird hike at Songbird Celebration 2003.Blue Jay Point offers numerous opportunities for children, families, and adults at our park.  We have many facilities available: a playground, open play fields, picnic areas, trails, gardens, and an environmental education center with exhibits. The trails and gardens are great places to use to give your child a "Green Hour" a day. A "Green Hour" is a bit of time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. Learn more about how to get your child outdoors with the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour program.

Blue Jay Point also offers special events, programs and activity boxes. Every year, we host Special Events that are great opportunities to come out to the park with your family and experience Blue Jay. We also offer environmental education programs and Discovery Boxes for children aged 3 & up, as well as programs and workshops for adults. Please see the current Quarterly or click on a program title below for information on upcoming programs. To check for space availability, contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330. To register, you will need to include a completed registration form and payment by mail or in person. The following series are offered monthly:

Children and Families

  • Nature Stories – Theme-related stories and activities for parent and child aged 3-5 years. Please make other arrangements for siblings!

  • Eco-Kids – A 3-day mini-camp offered monthly for youngsters ages 4-5 years in which they learn about a variety of topics through crafts, hikes, stories and other activities.

  • Nature Crafts – This craft series for 6-8-year-olds focuses on seasonal ideas and related crafts. Outdoor activities and hikes are all part of the fun!

  • Blue Jay Days – A daylong experience for children ages 9-12 at Blue Jay Point! Blue Jay Days are scheduled on selected traditional school calendar holiday/workday days on alternating year-round school calendar tracks. Homeschool families will also be able to take advantage of these single-day “camp-like” days. Try it out and let us know what you think!

  • Family Wildlife Series – For truly "wild" families! All ages are welcome, but content is most appropriate for ages 5 and up.

  • Homeschool Series – Every "semester," Blue Jay offers a homeschool series, called Kids Conservation Corps. The series meets eight times over four months. In the fall, the series is for 9-12-year-olds, and in the spring, the series is for 6-8-year-olds. See the Summer Quarterly, published June 21, for Fall Series program information, and the Fall Quarterly, published September 21, for Spring Series program information.

  • Teen Homeschool Series – Designed for teens who are being homeschooled, this program series is for ages 13-15 and will meet from 1-4 p.m. each session. Sessions will build on each other.

  • Summer Mini-Camps – In June and July we offer 3-day mini-camps for 6-8- and 9-12-year-olds. Summer 2010 offerings and registration will be available January 2, 2010.


Adults

Blue Jay Point offers a variety of adult programs, including many workshops for NC Environmental Education Certification or CEU credits! Please see below for the most up-to-date list of upcoming workshops and classes. To register, contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330.

  • Upcoming Adult Programs and Workshops…

December 3 & 4, 2009 – Project Learning Tree

January 8, 2010 – Winter Tree Identification
January 9 and February 13, 2010 – NatureARTs Recycle Totes
January 22, 2010 – Project Wet
January 30, 2010 – Flying WILD 

Special Events
 

Annual Winter Open House
Saturday, February 6, 2010, 2-4 p.m.

patio at Winter Open House 2004

Come out and join park staff as the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education celebrates another great year of programs! Each year, the Winter Open House focuses on a different theme from the County's Environmental Stewardship Agenda through crafts, interactive displays, hands-on educational activities and presentations. Enjoy cider, cookies and all the fun at next year's Winter Open House. This FREE event is perfect for the whole family, from the very young to the young at heart. Winter Open House is always on the first Saturday in February, so mark your calendar now for February 6, 2010!

 


Annual Songbird Celebration
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Puppet Show at Songbird Celebration 2003

Songbird Celebration is an annual event celebrating the return of migratory songbirds and in honor of International Migratory Bird Day. It is a FREE festival for bird lovers of all ages, and a great outing for families, Scouts and other youth groups. Enjoy bird-related activities throughout the park, including games and crafts, preschool storytimes, classes for adults and kids, birdwatching and more. Songbird Celebration is always held on the last Saturday in April, so mark your calendars now for April 24, 2010!



Big Sweep
Saturday, October 3, 2009, 9 a.m.-noon

Join ranks to help clean up the Falls Lake shoreline around Blue Jay Point. Bring a water bottle and hat. Sunscreen and your favorite brand of insect repellent is recommended. Closed-toe shoes, such as old sneakers, are a must! This is an excellent opportunity for individuals, families and youth groups to provide a great community service – pay attention, high schoolers! – call 919-870-4330 to register now!