Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to kick off National Park Week with “A Day in the Park”

Date: April 8, 2015
Contact: Todd Bolton, 304-535-6026
Contact: Autumn Cook, 304-535-2908
Contact: Kim Biggs, 304-535-6024

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park invites the public to the “A Day in the Park” event on Saturday April 18, 2015 from 10am to 4pm. This event will occur on the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Day and will give kids of all ages the opportunity to have fun while learning about how the National Park Service operates. This is an entrance fee free event, and it will kick off National Park Week at Harpers Ferry.

Highlights of activities for would-be Junior Rangers include:

• Snap a photo at the retro ranger station
• Smell and touch artifacts in a “Hands-On History” activity
• Become a NPS Centennial Junior Ranger
• Dress up as a ranger or wildland firefighter
• Have your photo taken with Smokey Bear
• Play National Park Service Jeopardy
• Paint or color your national parks
• Learn about volunteer opportunities
• Play “You’re in Charge” and learn how to manage a national park
• Get an inside look at a Law Enforcement patrol car
• Discover the meaning behind the National Park Service’s symbol, the arrowhead
• Hike with natural resources staff and learn about invasive versus non-invasive plants and citizen science
• Watch as 3D models of museum artifacts are made and learn how the National Park Service cares for and preserves museum collections
• Build a national park visitor center with blocks
• Work at a real Information Desk to help other kids plan their visit

The Harpers Ferry Historical Association, a park partner, will have a sales area in the event tent with children’s items, Junior Ranger apparel and games, and “Hike Harpers Ferry” t-shirts along with free “Hike Harpers Ferry” posters for cancellations. Also, they will be launching their recently updated Towpath Guide to the C&O Canal by Tom Hahn. Free posters of a variety of national parks will be available for visitors. Take this opportunity to support Harpers Ferry National Historical Park by supporting our partner. Stop by to see them and help them reach their goal of 100 new Association members by the National Park Service’s 100th birthday on August 25, 2016.

Beyond the “A Day in the Park” event, Harpers Ferry NHP will also feature special 2pm ranger programs during National Park Week. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, April 20: “Harpers Ferry: A Place in History” – an overview of Harpers Ferry’s amazing history
• Tuesday, April 21: “The Plants of Virginius Island” – hike with natural resources staff along Virginius Island and learn about invasive versus non-invasive plants
• Wednesday, April 22: “Trail & Town” – hike with the park’s volunteer coordinator along the Appalachian Trail in Harpers Ferry
• Thursday, April 23: “Meet a Park Archeologist” – a presentation regarding Harpers Ferry archeology and an opportunity to ask the archeologist questions
• Friday, April 24: “Find Your Park” – explore Lower Town with the park’s social media specialist and learn how to Find Your Park and share your park stories and adventures through social media