Contact: Barbara Woodford, Brandywine Creek State Park Nature Center, phone: (302) 655-5740, , e-mail: barbara.woodford@state.de.us
 

Plan Ahead for Exciting Fall and Winter Activities at Brandywine Creek State Park

Brandywine Creek State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, year-round. Park entrance fees are charged daily through Oct. 31. Pre-registration is required for all programs, unless otherwise noted.

Autumn Hayrides

Experience the breathtaking show that nature puts on in the fall at Brandywine Creek State Park. Join us for an old-fashioned hayride through the park followed by a campfire and s'mores. Bring a blanket and cuddle up for a 45 minute scenic tour. Pre-registration is required. The program fee is $5 per person. Call the Nature Center at (302)655-5740.

Friday, September 16, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 17, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m.
Friday, September 23, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 24, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m.
Friday, September 30, 5 and 6 p.m.
Friday, October 7, 5 and 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 8, 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 14, 5 and 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 15, 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 28, 4 and 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 29, 3, 4, and 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.


After School Special Group Hayrides
Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
September 14, September 28, October 12, and October 26
Reserve an entire hayride wagon for you and your friends! During this private 45-minute ride, you will experience the beautiful autumn scenes of Brandywine Creek State Park. These hayrides are great for scouts, youth groups or families! Reservations must be made at least a week in advance. Limit 20 people per wagon. Fee: $75 per wagon


Owl Prowl
Friday, September 2, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 4, 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 17, 5 p.m.
Saturday, January 7, 5 p.m.
Saturday, February 4, 5 p.m.

Discover the fascinating world of the "winged tiger" as we delve into the mysteries of these night raptors. Following a presentation about the owls of northern Delaware, we will move out into the park in search of some of our resident wild owls. Bring your sense of adventure, but no flashlights please! Program fee is $4 per person.


Bird Walk Series
September 24, October 29, November 26, December 31, January 28, and February 25.
8 a.m.
Birding is for everyone! Bring your eyes, ears, great hiking boots, binoculars and a sense of adventure for this monthly program. Birders from the Delmarva Ornithological Society will lead the group, providing tips and advice to all interested bird watchers. This program is free with paid admission to the park.

Hawk Watch Series
Sundays, 11 a.m. to Noon
September 25, October 2 and October 16
Brandywine Creek State Park's Hawk Watch Hill provides a perfect location for viewing the migration of many different species of hawks. This series of programs is open to all interested in our wild raptor population. Walk-ins are welcome. Program fee is $2 per participant.

Hiking for Health and Fun!
Join a member of the Brandywine Creek State Park's staff as they guide you on their favorite trails. Get fit while you learn the park. In addition, several trails (marked with a "©") will earn you a stamp on the Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge Card. For all hikes sturdy shoes or light hikers are encouraged. Plenty of water is a must! Fee is $2 per hiker. Pay for an entire series in advance and SAVE!

Early Morning Wake Up and Hike at 7:30 a.m.
Second and fourth Tuesdays in Sept., Oct., Nov., Jan. and Feb.
Early morning is the perfect time for a hike. Warm up and stretch, then take a 45 minute brisk hike on the Delaware Greenways starting at Thompson's Bridge Parking Lot. Great for getting the heart pumping and creative energies flowing in the morning.

Lunch Time Get Moving Hikes at 12:30 p.m.
Second and fourth Thursdays in Sept., Oct., Nov, Jan. and Feb.

Take 30 minutes at lunch to limber up your body, get your heart pumping and regenerate for the afternoon. We will meet at the Brandywine Creek Nature Center and jump right in to hiking. Be prepared for a brisk hike, with several minutes of warm up and cool down. Be back at your desk before you realize that you are feeling fantastic (we will not meet on Thanksgiving Day)!

After School Nature Romps at 4 p.m.
First and Third Wednesdays in Sept., Oct., Nov, Jan., and Feb.
30 Minutes is all you need to "shake the sillies out" after a long hard day at work or school. Bring a great attitude for a fast-steppin' hike with games and fun! After School Romps will not meet on Wed, Oct 19; instead join us for Haunted Trail Pumpkin Carving.


Indian Springs Trail ©
Thursday, September 30 at noon.
This trail will lead you past an old springhouse, along the banks of the Brandywine and through the mature Tulip Tree Woods on this 1.8 mile hike. Meet at the Nature Center.

Rocky Run Trail ©
Thursday, October 6 at noon
This moderately difficult hike is a 1.9 mile loop. The trail makes its way through pine forests and open meadows and offers scenic river views. Meet at Thompson's Bridge parking lot.

Long Wall Trail
Sunday, November 27 at 9 a.m.
Work off some of that Thanksgiving turkey on this strenuous 3 hour hike! Make sure you bring your hiking boots, snacks and plenty of water. Meet at Thompson's Bridge parking lot.

Monarch Mania:
Sunday, September 25, 1 p.m.
Master Gardener Peg Baseden joins us again to share her knowledge of the monarch butterfly. In this program we will discuss the amazing migration of monarchs. Bring your hiking boots and binoculars. Program fee is $2 per person.

Halloween Hootenanny
Sunday, October 9, 2- 5 p.m.
It's a rip-roaring tradition now at Brandywine Creek State Park. Fun for everyone! Join us for a rompin' good time at the Halloween Hootenanny. Build a scarecrow, paint or carve a pumpkin, join a hayride, and enjoy music, a storyteller and a fabulous fall day! No pre-registration is required. Activity fees vary. Note: Park entrance fees will be in effect throughout this special event.

Pumpkin Carving
Wednesday, October 19, 7 p.m.
Join our dedicated volunteers in a marathon of pumpkin carving. All pumpkins will be used at the Halloween Haunted Trail on Friday and Saturday. Be a part of one of the most amazing jack-o-lantern displays in the area when you volunteer your time and talents to help with the creative carving activities. We supply the pumpkins and carving tools, but remember: all pumpkins remain in the park for our special event! There is no fee, but you must register in advance if you want to help out.

Haunted Trail
Friday, October 21, 7 - 10 p.m.
Saturday, October 22, 7 - 10 p.m.
We are going all out for this year's Haunted Trail. New scenes, amazing scares and top notch creepiness will get your fright meter rising. Glowing jack-o-lanterns, ghoulish characters, surprises, freaky scenes and mazes are some the new scares happening at Brandywine Creek State Park's Haunted Trail. Come enjoy some good old-fashioned haunting. This program is recommended for ages 12 and older. No pre-registration is required and walk-ins are welcome. Program fee is $8 per person.

Star Gazers
Saturday, November 5, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
The sky is aglow with autumn's constellations! Members of the Delaware Astronomical Society will share their knowledge of the nighttime autumn sky. In case of inclement weather, a fascinating look at the night sky will take place in the nature center. Program fee is $2 per person.

Girl Scout Day at Brandywine Creek State Park
November 19 at 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Brandywine Creek State Park has set aside a day for fun and badge work for Brownie through Junior scouts. Events will include orienteering, tracking, hayrides, history hikes and much more! For service project lists, please call in advance. Fee is $6 per person.

Family Fun with Nature Crafts
Saturday, December 3, 1 - 3 p.m.
Bring the family for a day filled with crafts. Your family will be able to create seasonal crafts to take home and perhaps make a special gift for our wild friends. Program fee is $5 per person or $20 per immediate family unit.

Winter Birds & Breakfast
Saturdays, January 25 and February 25
For committed birders, birding begins at 8 a.m. with the Delmarva Ornithological Society
Basic birding begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Nature Center.
Breakfast Starts at 10:30 a.m.

Warm up your Saturday with a hearty sausage and pancake breakfast served following a bracing bird hike. Pre-registration for breakfast is required the Thursday prior. The program fee is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Wake Up Whistle Pigs!
Sunday, January 29 at 2 p.m.
Learn about the folklore and reality of our resident groundhogs. This is the perfect time of year to discover the fun and fascinating facts and fiction about this harbinger of spring. Then we will bundle up and take a hike to see if the groundhog really will come out on February 2nd to "See His Shadow!"

Bluebird Bonanza at Brandywine Creek State Park
Build a Box
Saturday, February 18 at 1-3 p.m.
Come learn about Brandywine Creek State Park's bluebird population. Are their numbers still threatened, or is the population recovering? Learn how to help here and in your backyard. Then build a bluebird box for your own backyard or donate it to the park. Pre-registration is required. Fee is $12 per box.

Bluebird Nesting Box Contest
Saturday February 18 at 3 p.m.
Decorate the bluebird box you just built or bring in a nesting box from home. Show off your talents and win the "Best of Show" contest.

Bluebird Bonanza Part II
Sunday, February 19 at 1-3 p.m.
Climb on board the bluebird bus and travel to Flint Woods Nature Preserve. Be prepared to install newly created bluebird boxes. Then, we will come back to the nature center to sample some of the bluebirds' favorite foods. Fee is $4 per person.

Register Early for these Exciting Programs!!
Intro to Fly Fishing
Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
Are you interested in fly fishing but don't know much about it? Veteran fly-fisherman and long-time Brandywine Creek volunteer, Ed O'Donnell will teach us some fly fishing basics. Bring your own equipment if you have it! Program fee is $5 per person

Fly Tying
Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
Learn the ins and outs of fly tying for fly fishing. Ed O'Donnell will join us again to give you lots of hands on time creating the flys that are proven fish catchers at Brandywine Creek! Fee: $10 per person.


CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
Calling all children ages two through six years! Bring your adult to a fun-filled program designed especially for you. Children aged two and three can join us for our Terrific Toddler programs. Four- to six year-olds can join our Nature Explorers Club. Activities, crafts, short hikes and informal nature learning are part of the fun. Pre-registration for these popular programs is encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. Program fee is $5 per child. Program times are 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Terrific Toddlers
Nature Programs for children ages 2 and 3 years
Programs are from 9:30- 10:15 a.m. Program fee is $5 per child. Pre-registration is encouraged! Walk-ins welcome if space is available. Limit 10 children per session.

Fantastic Fall Colors
Thursday, October 13
Friday, October 14
Fall is full of bundles of colors! Join us for a fun time of painting, a colorful hike, a romp through the leaves, learning and leaf crafts.

Gobble! Gobble!
Thursday, November 17
Friday, November 18
Come make crafts and play games all related to the bird of the month the Turkey!

Opossum Hide and Seek
Thursday, January 26
Friday, January 27
Are opossums hiding in the park? Come search for signs of the opossum as we explore the trails at Brandywine Creek.

Winter Sleepers
Thursday, February 16
Friday, February 17
You sleep at night, some animals sleep all winter long. Come to this lively program to learn about these cold weather nappers!
Nature Explorer Club
Nature Programs for children ages 4 to 6 years
Programs are from 2-2:45 p.m. Program fee is $5 per child. Pre-registration is encouraged! Walk-ins welcome if space is available. Limit 15 children per session.

Don't Leave, Leaves
Thursday, October 13
Leaves surround us in an abundance of colors during these falling days! Why do leaves change colors and fall off trees? Find out why and join us for a colorful adventure as we explore the life of a leaf.

Where's the Turkey?
Thursday, November 17
Turkey is the talk of November and we are going to keep talking! Come and learn about this bird of the fall, the Wild Turkey. Bring your imagination so you can create your own Turkey to take home!

Playing 'Possum
Saturday, January 26
Fainting with fear or just pretending? Find out why opossums "play dead" in this fun-filled program.

Winter Twigs and Weeds
Thursday, February 16
The winter forest is sleeping but we can still find signs of life. Join us as we search for winter plants at Brandywine Creek.


Programs at Flint Woods Nature Preserve
Flint Woods Nature Preserve is a satellite area of Brandywine Creek State Park composed of a mature stand of hardwood trees and rolling terrain. The preserve remains un-crowded, making a visit to this area a special occasion for the regular park visitor. Programs at Flint Woods require transportation from the Nature Center in the park's van, limiting participation to 14. All programs cost $4 per person.

Nature Photography
Sunday, October 16 at 9 p.m.
Start the day with coffee and donuts. Then capture fall's splendor as we venture to Flint Woods with our cameras. Please bring your own camera and film.


Birding for Beginners
November 20 at 10 a.m.
Join us for a mid-morning snack and bird hike. We'll munch on nuts and fruit as we learn about winter birds and birding basics.

Hot Chocolate Hike
Sunday, December 18 at 1 p.m.
Join our Flint Woods naturalist for a winter hike. We will transport you in a nice warm van to the Flint Woods property. Then, we will take a refreshing hike through winters quiet woods. Finally, we all enjoy a warm cup of cocoa and snack.

Call of the Coyote
Sunday, January 15 at 2 p.m.
Coyotes have been spotted in northern New Castle County. Listen to the haunting call while we search for clues to this secretive neighbor.

Bluebird Bonanza Part II
Sunday, February 19 at 1-3 p.m.
Climb on board the bluebird bus and travel to Flint Woods Nature Preserve. Be prepared to install newly created bluebird boxes. Then, we will come back to the nature center to sample some of the bluebird's favorite foods.


Volunteer for Your Park
Fall and winter provide a great opportunity to see Brandywine Creek State Park in a whole new light. What better way to discover the park than to volunteer and explore the many facets of park life.

Here are just a few possibilities:
Hayrides
Winterizing Park Grounds and Facilities
Cross Country Meets
Halloween Events
Blue Bird Trail Management
Snow Removal
Gardening

Contact Lena Thayer-Wice, volunteer coordinator, at (302) 655-5740; or stop by the park office at one of our monthly volunteer meetings (Sept. 10, Oct. 8, and Nov. 12) at 10a.m.




GLOBE Teacher Workshop
at
Brandywine Creek State Park
Land Cover Biology

Date: November 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration details: Participants must register with the Stroud Water Research Center and the GLOBE website. There is a $10 non-refundable registration fee. Other than the registration fee, this workshop is free to DE teachers. There is a $75 fee for those outside DE.
What is the GLOBE Program?

GLOBE is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program.
For students, GLOBE provides the opportunity to learn by:
• Taking scientifically valid measurements in the field of land cover biology
• Reporting their data through the Internet
• Creating maps and graphs on the free interactive Web site to analyze data sets
• Collaborating with scientists and other GLOBE students around the world
For teachers, GLOBE provides assistance through:
• Training at professional development workshops
• Teacher's Guide, "how-to" videos, and other materials
• Continuing support from a Help Desk, scientists, and partners
• Contact with other teachers, students, and scientists worldwide.
More about Brandywine Creek State Park: Towering tulip trees, old farm buildings, and rolling hills framed by grey stone walls welcome visitors to this beautiful park. Brandywine Creek State Park offers year round recreational opportunities for enjoying our wild world. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, year-round. Hiking, picnicking, nature trails, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing and a disc golf course offer visitors a variety of ways to enjoy their day.
Location: Brandywine Creek State Park is located just off the intersection of Route 100 & Rt. 92 on Adam's Dam Road.
Hours: Park hours of operation are 8 a.m. until sunset, year round.
Admission: Park Admission charged daily May 1 through October 31, 2005. $3 per Delaware-registered vehicle, $6 per out-of-state vehicle. Annual Delaware State Parks admittance permits are now available at Brandywine Creek State Park Office.
For More Information Contact:
Brandywine Creek State Park at (302)655-5740
 

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