Discover the Power of Parks

Welcome to the 2012 Discover the Power of Parks program! Our interpreters from the Student Conservation Association are based out of Lafayette Campground and have planned a whole summer of informative and fun programs for you to take advantage of while visiting Franconia Notch State Park.

Discover the Power of Parks Interpretive Ranger Program
Their programs highlight local history, ecology and traditional lore through both the spoken word and activities. Information-packed hikes are more than just guided walks, they’re imaginative explorations of the wildlife habits and habitats of amphibians, black bears, fish and many more species. The program is made possible through our partnership with New Hampshire State Parks with generous funding from Public Service of New Hampshire.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE - Click to view a PDF Calendar.




2012 PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Hike Safe and Smart
Meet your Franconia Notch State Park Interpreters on the trail! We will go over some hiker safety tips and strategies as well as answer any questions you may have about the flora, fauna, natural history and human history of the park. Trail locations are listed on the program calendar.

Firefly Fireworks*
Have you ever seen a firefly glow like a firework at night? Have you ever wondered how and why they light up? Meet at the Lafayette Place Campground Amphitheater and find out how fireflies use light to communicate! A short firefly walk will also be included.

Flume Detectives***
Who discovered the Flume? Why does it have stuff growing all over it? Uncover the answers to these questions on a scavenger hunt along the Flume Gorge walk. Find the table in the Flume Gorge visitors’ center to begin unlocking the secrets of the Flume.

Old and New Perspectives
Franconia Notch has inspired many a writer, artist and philosopher. Discover the beauty and immerse yourself in the White Mountains this summer just like Robert Frost and Henry David Thoreau. Join us for an imaginative hike and sketching and session on the cliffs of Artists Bluff.

Night Sky*
Come find out the stories of the night sky! Constellations can tell you stories about how different cultures depended on the stars and they can show how to navigate if you are lost. The Perseid Meteor Shower will be visible during the middle of August, which will add to the stories that can be shared for generations! Meet at the Lafayette Place Campground Amphitheatre.

Summit Lichens: The Relationship Experts**
They are small, love sunlight, grow barely a millimeter each year, and surprisingly, cannot live on their own! Come join me on a ridge trail hike at the top of Cannon Mountain to learn more about Summit Lichens, the relationship experts. You will learn about lichen, what it is used for and why it is so important to humans! Knowing about nature’s relationship expert will open up your eyes to a whole new side of the forest!

Hike the Night!*
Night time at Franconia Notch State Park is an exciting time! Animals, plants, and even people all have adapted special ways to adjust their senses to the twilight world. On this hike we will do a series of activities to uncover and challenge human adaptations to the night. Leave your flashlights at home!

Stories by the Fire*
Join your Franconia Notch park interpreter for stories by the camp fire. A selection of kid friendly stories and legends of the notch will be read aloud alongside the crackling of a camp fire. This program will take place every Sunday at 7 pm at the campground amphitheater. All ages are welcome!

Cannon Alpine Hike**
Curious about alpine vegetation? Come enjoy a guided ½ mile hike on the rim trail of Cannon Mountain for a naturalist perspective of summit life. We will talk about Krumholtz, lichens, moss, flowers and the weather! This “flip flop friendly” hike is perfect for curious nature enthusiasts and amateur botanists alike!

Shredding the Past: A History of Skiing at Cannon Mountain**
Did you know that Cannon Mountain has the oldest ski trails in the US? Meet me at the top of the Cannon tram to learn more about this and other firsts at Cannon Mountain! I will have two sets of ski’s to check out and some fun facts to learn about while you are enjoying the summit.

Life in the Shallows: Catching Critters at Lonesome Lake!
Kids, join us every Sunday and Wednesday at Lonesome Lake to catch and release critters swimming at Lonesome Lake! Catch dragon fly nymphs, salamanders, and water boatmen just to name a few! We will provide nets and buckets to explore and learn about life in the shallows. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure, and clothing that you don’t mind getting muddy!

Presented in collaboration with the Student Conservation Association and
made possible by financial support from Public Service of New Hampshire. NHSTATEPARKS.ORG

Program Locations
*    Meet at Lafayette Campground
**  Meet at the Cannon Tramway
***Meet at the Flume Gorge