Every April, during the presidentially proclaimed National Park Week, you can join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to celebrate America’s treasures. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, help out, and find your park.
The celebration of National Park Week 2021 is from April 17 to 25! Parks across the country will host a variety of special programs, events, and digital experiences. There are also special theme days during the week to highlight the different ways everyone can enjoy national parks.
Check out social media, find each day’s theme, look for in-person and virtual events, or stay caught up on news.
National parks offer extraordinary experiences, but it’s not always possible to get to a park in person. Fortunately there are ways to connect with national parks from a distance through digital opportunities and activities to do in your own home or neighborhood. There are enough activities to keep you occupied for days! Find some suggestions below to engage with parks remotely and check for additional opportunities on park and NPS program websites.
NPS partners also have interesting ways to stay connected with national parks on their websites and social media, including live tours, kids activities, reading lists, digital suggestions, and more. Check out the National Park Foundation’s suggestions for Park Activities You Can Do from the Comfort of Your Home or Take a Virtual Visit to a National Park.
Check out Steamtown Steamtown National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) and also Valley Forge Valley Forge National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) next week!
NATURE NUGGET: While you are at it, why not nominate a Great Place in PA! The PA Chapter of the American Planning Association is seeking the nomination of Great Public Spaces, Greenways/Trails, or a street that displays a wealth of best practices in community planning and serves as a model for other communities. The deadline is May 7, 2021. You can view the Program Guidelines, Category Criteria, and Nomination Form on the APA PA website.
NATURE QUOTE:
“Porcupine Pat” McKinney is environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District and provides programming for people of all ages with an emphasis on schools, public programming and nature center development. “Porcupine Pat” hails from Marion, Ohio and has a BS with Distinction in Natural Resources – Environmental Interpretation from Ohio State. He is a recipient of the prestigious Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education from the PA Forestry Association, the Schuylkill Pride Award, and the PAEE “Outstanding Environmental Educator Award.”
