Hop into a National Park: A UNCTV and National Park Service Family Fun Day

Date: September 9, 2009
Contact: Wright Brothers National Memorial, [phone]

Saturday, September 19, 2009 will be a National Park Day at Wright Brothers National Memorial from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the National Park Service and UNCTV celebrate America’s national treasures.  The history of the National Park Service has shaped the lives and histories of so many Americans over the past and present century.  Our parks have inspired generations to preserve what is best in our nation and serve as powerful reminders of our origin and destiny. UNCTV’s Read-A-Roo and PBS’s Curious George will be at the park to join in with activities that encourage children to read.  Enjoy previews of the Ken Burns' film: The National Parks, America’s Best Idea starting at noon.

Schedule of Events:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.– Junior Flight Ranger Program:  Kid’s…don’t forget to ask about the Wright Brothers Junior Ranger Program! Pick-up a Junior Ranger booklet at the VisitorCenter information desk.

10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  – Flight Room Talk: Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk.  Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Let’s Go Fly a Kite: There will be fun for the whole family with kite building and kite flying demonstration by Kitty Hawk Kites.  Centennial Pavilion Exhibit Hall

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Blast Off:  Join NASA Langley Educators for hands-on activities and demonstrations for the whole family. Centennial Pavilion Exhibit Hall.

11 a.m. to 12 p.m.– Meet Read-a-Roo, Curious George and Suzanne Tate, a local children’s author as she reads her book, Helping the Wright Brothers: A Tale of First Flight Helpers, followed by a book signing.  Centennial Pavilion Auditorium

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Life at Kitty Hawk:  Join descendents of the Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Service Station and see a reproduction of the camera that took the famous first flight photograph on the morning of December 17, 1903. Wright Brothers Camp Buildings

11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. – First Flight Tour: Step back in history 100 years ago when the Wright brothers made the world’s first flight during a short walk to the actual site. Visitor Center Back Patio.

12 p.m.Video presentations: mini-documentaries and film clips from the upcoming, Ken Burns: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea: will be shown throughout the day.  Centennial Pavilion Auditorium 

12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Flight Room Talk: Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium

1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Fun In Flight: Learn how to build and fly paper airplanes experiment just like the Wright brothers as a park ranger teaches you the art of paper airplane building. Centennial Pavilion Auditorium

1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – First Flight Tour: Step back in history 100 years ago when the Wright brothers made the world’s first flight during a short walk to the actual site.  Visitor Center Back Patio

2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Flight Room Talk: Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk.  Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium

3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Fun in Flight: Learn how to build and fly paper airplanes experiment just like the Wright brothers as a park ranger teaches you the art of paper airplane building. Centennial Pavilion Exhibit Hall

4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Flight Room Talk: Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium

Wright Brothers National Memorial is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Park fees will be waived for the event.