We offer a wide array of programs for all ages. Reservations are required in advance. The Forest reserves the right to cancel programs with less than five participants signed up. Rain checks will be provided.

For more information log on to our website at www.memorialforest.com or call the Welcome Center at 368-5404. Our staff will be happy to help you make reservations, give you directions to the program location, or provide you a complete schedule of our programs throughout the year.

For all programs, please wear close-toed walking shoes, and dress for the weather.

New Program! Outdoor Skills #4 – Scott’s Gap Hike – 60^th Anniversary Event

Saturday, April 5, 2008 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Visit one of the less known areas of the Forest for a 3.5 mile hike. Depending on interest, we may take a side trip to visit the big trees in Headley Hollow. Bring a water bottle and a snack for this moderately strenuous hike. Meets at Welcome Center.

Fee: $5

New Program! Pre-School Nature Adventure – Woodland Wonders

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Saturday, April 12, 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Let’s hike through the forest in search of a rainbow of colors from spring wildflowers. We’ll learn about how seeds turn into beautiful wildflowers and how some animals help the plants grow and survive. This program is for parents and children ages 3-5. There will be a story-time with crafts and snacks. This program provides experiences in nature for parents and little ones to share. Program meets in the Horine Environmental Education Center.

Fee: $8 per child.

Friday, April 18, 2008 7 PM to 8:30 PM

Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.

Fee: $5 per dog

New Program! Forest Explorers – Animal Adventures

Saturday, April 19, 2008 9 AM to Noon

The second in the Eco-system series, children ages 5 to 6 can experience the life of a naturalist by discovering the wonders of the forest through field studies, crafts and more. Young naturalists will learn what animals live in the forest and how to find them. Following clues such as feathers, tracks, scat and more, they will then see critters from the forest up close in the Environmental Education Center. Young naturalists will get to make their very own tracking guide. Snack is provided. Parents are encouraged to join their child on their nature adventure. Program meets in the Horine Environmental Education Center.

Fee: $10 per child

May

New Program! Outdoor Skills #5 – ACA Intro. to Canoeing Course

Saturday, May 3, 2008 9 AM to 3:30 PM

A valuable class at an amazing price! Learn the basics of equipment, paddling strokes, and rescues for canoeing. We will practice rescues, so plan on getting wet. All equipment will be provided. Bring a sack lunch. For ages 12 and up. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This program meets at the Welcome Center. Space is limited to 12 participants. No space will be available for individuals showing up on the day of the program. Canoe programs are subject to change of dates or venues due to water conditions and weather.

Fee: $10

Senior Bird Watching Program

Monday, May 5, 2008 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Our senior birding program is free and full of fun. This month we’ll visit the King property near Floyds Fork Park, where we hope to see a number of warblers at this location. Participants learn how to identify birds by the way they look and the way they sound. Each program is guided by a Forest naturalist and consists of transportation to the various sites, and some short easy hikes. After you work up an appetite, participants are taken to lunch at local eateries. Although this program is free, you will need to bring money to purchase your lunch. Meets at the Welcome Center. Participants may choose to meet at the King Property near Floyds Fork Park. Please let us know when making your reservation so that you will receive directions to the location.

Fee: Free

Evening Program – Frog Calls and Toad Songs

Friday, May 9, 2008 7 PM to 9:30 PM

The night is the best time to hear the calls and songs of the amphibian world. Forest staff will introduce you to some of the more common species of frogs and toads found in this area and how to identify them by their calls. Learn why their existence is so crucial to that of our own. You will even learn how to make some calls of your own to communicate with these incredible creatures. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.

Fee: $5

Pre-School Nature Adventure – A Small Pond

Saturday, May 10, 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Discover with your child the amazing creatures that live in a pond from tadpoles to dragonfly nymphs. Using a net and a bucket collect a variety of animals from the pond and view them under a magnifying glass. Dress to get messy. This program is for parents and children ages 3-5. There will be a story-time with crafts and snacks. This program provides experiences in nature for parents and little ones to share. Program meets in the Horine Environmental Education Center.

Fee: $8 per child.

New Program! Outdoor Skills – Canoeing Skills II - Floyds Fork

Saturday, May 10, 2008 9 AM to 2:30 PM

See the beauty of nature as you paddle down Floyds Fork. This trip requires basic paddling skills to navigate the sometimes tight channels in Floyds Fork. All equipment will be provided. Bring a sack lunch. For ages 12 and up. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Program meets at the Welcome Center. There is space for 18 participants total with a maximum of 12 adults. No space will be available for individuals showing up on the day of the program. Canoe programs are subject to change of dates or venues due to water conditions and weather.

Fee: $10

Pre-School Nature Adventure – A Small Pond

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Discover with your child the amazing creatures that live in a pond from tadpoles to dragonfly nymphs. Using a net and a bucket collect a variety of animals from the pond and view them under a magnifying glass. Dress to get messy. This program is for parents and children ages 3-5. There will be a story-time with crafts and snacks. This program provides experiences in nature for parents and little ones to share. Program meets in the Horine Environmental Education Center.

Fee: $8 per child.

Howl at the Moon

Friday, May 16, 2008 7 PM to 8:30 PM

Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.

Fee: $5 per dog

Forest Fest

Saturday May 17^th, 2008 11 AM to 7 PM

Come out for a great day filled with Bluegrass Music, wood crafters and fun activities for the entire family. This free family oriented festival is set to become the premier bluegrass festival for Jefferson County. The fourth Forest Fest will be bigger and better than ever with the addition of Bluegrass music legend, Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. 2008 continues the tried and true formula of honoring Fairdale’s rich bluegrass tradition, highlighting new up and coming bands and introducing them to new audiences and bringing in some of the best Bluegrass musicians from around the region. This year’s line up also includes Stone Hollow, Dozens of Dollars, Bluegrass 101, and Kentucky Sassafras.

Fee: Free

New Program!

Forest Explorers – Dragonflies, Damselflies and Cyclops! – A lake adventure

Saturday, May 17, 2008 9 AM to Noon

The third in our Forest Explorers Series, join Forest Naturalists on an adventure into the wet and wild world of a lake ecosystem. Be amazed at the strange and incredible critters that live in the waters of a lake. Learn about the ecosystem of a lake and how it helps to support the ecosystems that surround it. There will be scientific studies, activities, and a snack. All equipment will be provided. Wear clothes and shoes that can get messy. Children ages 5 to 6 can experience the life of a naturalist by discovering the wonders of the forest through field studies, crafts and more. Snack is provided. Each child can make their own nature journal to use throughout the series. Parents are encouraged to join their child on their nature adventure. Program meets in the Horine Environmental Education Center.

Fee: $10 per child

Forest Family Fun Camp-out

Friday, May 23 - 24, 2008 6 PM Friday until 8:30 AM Saturday

Would you like to go on a family camping trip without all the packing and preparation?

Let Jefferson Memorial Forest do everything for you and provide an evening of activities and entertainment. We provide your family with tents, dinner, breakfast, and take your family on a night hike full of facts and fun. We’ll even provide a S’more bedtime treat. All you need to bring is your toothbrush, a sleeping bag, good walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothes. This program is for ages 7 to adult. To participate in the program you must be pre-registered by Monday, May 19^th.

Fee: $20 per person.

Please ask our reservationist about our next-day Alpine Tower Climb discount.

Alpine Tower Public Program

Saturday, May 24, 2008 9 AM to 1:30 PM

Come challenge yourself on our 52-foot Alpine climbing tower. Learn basic climbing and belaying techniques while experiencing increased self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving skills from tackling this “high altitude” obstacle course. This program is for ages 10 and up. A parent or guardian must accompany all participants under the age of 18. Please wear: tennis shoes, long pants, or shorts (with inseam greater than 5”). Sign-up early as space is limited to 18 participants. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.

Fee: $10 per person

June

New Program!

Native Gardening – Drought-Tolerant Gardens

Monday, June 2, 2008 9 AM to 2 PM

Presented by Margaret Shea, Dropseed Native Plant Nursery. Last year’s drought made life difficult for many gardeners. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a garden that requires less water and maintenance? Discover how you can create your own drought-tolerant garden using native plants. We will travel to Dropseed Native Plant Nursery in Goshen, so there will be an opportunity to purchase plants. We will also stop for lunch after the program, so be sure to bring lunch money.

Fee: $5

New Program!

Pre-School Nature Adventure – What’s Buzzin?

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Saturday, June 14, 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Grab a net and a bug viewer and let’s go! Parents and children will catch a variety of bugs and identify them with the help of a Forest Naturalist. With pictures and activities, children learn the parts of an insect and a spider. This program is for parents and children ages 3-5. There will be a story-time with crafts and snacks. This program provides experiences in nature for parents and little ones to share. Program meets in the Horine Environmental Education Center.

Fee: $8.00

Evening Program – Insects

Friday, June 13, 2008 7 PM to 9:30 PM

The night is the best time to hear the symphony of sound created by insects. Forest Staff will introduce you to some of the creatures responsible for the variety of sounds you hear through your window on a warm summer night. Program meets in the Horine.

Fee: $5

Howl at the Moon

Friday, June 20, 2008 7 PM to 8:30 PM

Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.

Fee: $5 per dog

Forest Family Fun Camp-out

Friday, June 27 - 28, 2008 6 PM Friday until 8:30 AM Saturday

Would you like to go on a family camping trip without all the packing and preparation?

Let Jefferson Memorial Forest do everything for you and provide an evening of activities and entertainment. We provide your family with tents, dinner, breakfast, and take your family on a night hike full of facts and fun. We’ll even provide a S’more bedtime treat. All you need to bring is your toothbrush, a pillow, a sleeping bag and good walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothes. This program is for ages 7 to adult. To participate in the program you must be pre-registered by Monday, June 23^rd.

Fee: $20 per person.

Please ask our reservationist about our next-day Alpine Tower Climb discount.

Alpine Tower Public Program

Saturday, June 28, 2008 9 AM to 1:30 PM

Come challenge yourself on our 52-foot Alpine climbing tower. Learn basic climbing and belaying techniques while experiencing increased self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving skills from tackling this “high altitude” obstacle course. This program is for ages 10 and up. A parent or guardian must accompany all participants under the age of 18. Please wear: tennis shoes, long pants, or shorts (with inseam greater than 5”). Sign-up early as space is limited to 18 participants. Meets in the Horine Reservation

Fee: $10 per person

For more information on the forest www.memorialforest.com.