Public Programs at Yates Mill

Historic Yates Mill County Park offers a variety of programming for all generations. 
For a printout of upcoming programs and events, please refer to the Yates Mill April–June 2013 Program Bulletin. 
 
To register, complete and sign the Park Program Registration Form and return it with payment (made out to Wake County Parks) by mail or bring by the park office located at the address listed below.
 
Payment and registration form must be received to confirm your spot in our programs.
 
The following programs are offered at Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. For more information about the following programs, contact the park at 919-856-6675 or email yatesmill@wakegov.com.
 
Looking for Tours of Yates Mill? View the Mill Tours page.
Looking for Organized Group Programs? View the Group Programs page.
  

Historic Trades

Free demos and displays are available each month March–Nov. in the Mill Yard. 

Peddlers and Traveling Stores
Saturday, May 18, 1–4 p.m.
The occupation of peddling has existed throughout the world for thousands of years. In North Carolina peddlers connected residents with market goods and news from communities across the region. Join us to discover the history of this often overlooked livelihood, from the colonial period into the 20th century. For all ages; fee: FREE. Preregistration is not required.
 
William Boylan – Entrepreneur, Newspaper Man, Mill Owner
Saturday, June 15, 1–4 p.m.
Entrepreneur, newspaper man, mill owner: just who was William Boylan? The historians at Yates Mill are working hard to find out, and we want to share our findings with you. Join us and discover this enigmatic figure from our mill history. For all ages; Fee: FREE. Preregistration is not required.

 

Family Features

These programs encourage families to enjoy a park experience together.
 
A Side of History – Mapping North Carolina
Saturday, June 1, 1–2:30 p.m.
Maps are amazing! They can tell us so many important things about where we live and where we need to go. But maps also have secrets if you can learn how to identify them. Explore historical maps from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Special Collection, make your own map of the mill pond, and then put your newfound knowledge to the test with an orienteering challenge. For all ages; fee: $5/family or $3/person. Preregistration is required.
 

Recreational Adventures

Paddle the Pond – Canoeing – SESSION 1
Saturdays, May 25 and June 29, 9–10 a.m.
Come out to Yates Mill Pond for a morning canoe float. After basic instruction, explore the pond’s many features as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles and life jackets will be provided. This program is subject to suitable weather conditions. For ages 6+ (with accompanying adult), $10 per boat. Preregistration is required. Space is limited, so register early!
 
Paddle the Pond – Canoeing – SESSION 2
Saturdays, May 25 and June 29, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Come out to Yates Mill Pond for a morning canoe float. After basic instruction, explore the pond’s many features as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles and life jackets will be provided. This program is subject to suitable weather conditions. For ages 6+ (with accompanying adult), $10 per boat. Preregistration is required. Space is limited, so register early!
 
Family Fishing Fun
Saturdays, May 25 and June 29, 1–3 p.m.
Come out to the millpond and fish the old fashioned way – we'll provide you with a cane pole, tackle and bait, along with basic instructions and assistance with identifying fish species. You'll need to bring your own luck and patience! For ages 5 & up, with accompanying adult, $5/family or $3/person. Preregistration is encouraged.
 
Paddle the Pond – Canoeing – SESSION 3
Sundays, May 26 and June 30, 1–2 p.m.
Come out to Yates Mill Pond for a morning canoe float. After basic instruction, explore the pond’s many features as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles and life jackets will be provided. This program is subject to suitable weather conditions. For ages 6+ (with accompanying adult), $10 per boat. Preregistration is required. Space is limited, so register early!
 

Just For Kids

Little Sprouts

Fantastic Fish
Wednesday, June 5, 1–2 p.m.
Show off your best fish face as we learn about all the fantastic fish that call Yates Mill Pond home. We'll read a fish tale, make a masterpiece, play a game and see if we can spot some of our fishy friends in action. For ages 3–5; $4/child (or $10 for 3 LS programs). Preregistration is required.

Little Historians

Flour Sack Clothing – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Friday, June 7, 11 a.m.–noon
Hard times during the Great Depression meant everybody in North Carolina had to find creative ways to make do and get by. Flour, sugar, seeds, animal feed, and many other things came in cloth bags, so many women saved the pretty printed fabric to make curtains, towels, and even clothes or quilts. Share with us all the ways you like to reduce, reuse and recycle, and print your own apron to take home. For ages 5–7; $4/child (or $10 for 3 LH programs). Preregistration is required.
 
 
Be sure to check out the Nature Watchers (ages 3–5) and Nature Friends (ages 6–9) Program Series that are being offered at Crowder District Park.
 

Homeschool Days

The Little Red Hen
Monday, June 3, 1–2:30 p.m.
Get excited about adventures in baking. Follow the story of the Little Red Hen as she grinds grain, visits the mill and collects ingredients for a special surprise! This program includes a visit inside the mill, story time and a craft. For all ages, fee: $6/child. Preregistration is required.
 


Track Out Days for Kids

Join us for one, two or all three days. Children in Grades K–5 will participate in curriculum-correlated activities, both together and by grade level. This program is great for year-round students on Track 2 and for homeschool students who want to learn science in a hands-on setting. Preregistration is required.
 
Aquatic Adventures: Summer Splash!
Tuesday, May 21–Thursday, May 23, 1–4 p.m.
Track out at Yates Mill! Join us for one, two or all three days of Aquatic Adventures. Experience hands-on, outdoor science and learn about all about water! Go canoeing, cane pole fishing, and learn about this important resource! Also tour the historic mill. Children in grades K–5 will participate in curriculum-correlated activities, both together and by grade level. Fee: $15/day (or $40 for all 3 days).
 

Summer Camps

To check for space availability, contact Historic Yates Mill County Park by phone at 919-856-6675 or by email. To register, you will need to include a completed registration form and payment by mail or in person.
 
Yates Mill’s camps offer your child hands-on history and nature activities including tours of the old mill, visits with live animals, hikes, crafts, games and more. Each day offers a different theme. There will be two adult staff members with the kids at all times. Kids bring their own lunch. Preregistration is required. Camp size is limited, so sign up early!
 
Art in Nature
June 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages 9–12 Fee: $158/child (Track 1, traditional and homeschool)
Explore nature through art during this hands-on camp. The beautiful millpond provides the perfect setting for creative kids to explore the beauty in nature and participate in a variety of artistic field explorations.

Aquatic Ecologist – Organized and offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 – http://naturalsciences.org/programs-events/summer-camps
 
Young Farmers – 2 Days at Historic Oak View County Park and 2 Days at Historic Yates Mill County Park
July 22, 23, 24 & 25, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages 7–9 Fee: $126/child (Track 4, traditional and homeschool)
Experience the wonders of agriculture and learn about different aspects of the farm, from animals to vegetables to bugs in the soil. Explore food production and the connections between farms and the natural environment. Participate in fun games, songs and crafts, and spend time enjoying the outdoors.

Ready, Set, Get Wet! – Organized and offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 – http://naturalsciences.org/programs-events/summer-camps
 
Aquatic Ecologists – Organized and offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 22, 23, 24, 25 & 26 – http://naturalsciences.org/programs-events/summer-camps
 
Time Detectives
August 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages 8–10 Fee: $154/child (Track 3, traditional and homeschool)
Attention, Gumshoes: There's been a burglary at Yates Mill, and we need your help. Collect clues, solve puzzles and bring the thieves to justice!! Using science, art, archaeology and interviews with historical people, we'll learn how real historians solve history mysteries every day.
 

Adult Workshops

Project Food, Land and People
Thursday, May 30, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Project Food, Land and People offers a comprehensive view of farming, food production, natural resources, conservation, sustainability, people, cultures and more. Workshop: Thursday, May 30, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Field trip: May 31, from 9 a.m.–noon, at Yates Mill for a Mill Tour and the Farmer's Market. Great for continuing education and NC Environmental Education certification credits! For ages 16 & up; fee: FREE. Field trip fee: $5.00/adult or $4/adult over age 60. Preregistration is required.
 
Invasive Plants and Animals in the Park
Thursday, June 13, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Join us as Yates Mill Pond as we investigate the five most invasive plants and animals in the Southeast. We'll head out into the park to eradicate some of the park's own pesky plants and to explore signs and examples of our own aggravating animals. For ages 11 and up; fee: $3/person. Preregistration is required.