Go Wild for Congaree!

Date: April 4, 2014
Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 803-647-3969

Join rangers and volunteers at Congaree National Park this month for a variety of programs celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and National Park Week. All programs are free.

Cooking on the Trail, Saturday, April 5 @ 10:00 am
Join outdoor Chef Bruce Cannon to learn about preparing delicious dishes during an outdoor adventure in the Congaree Wilderness. Please sign up for this one hour class by calling 803-799-7571 or emailing [e-mail].

Nature Discovery, April 5, 12, 19 @ 9:30 am
Walk with a volunteer naturalist to look and listen for animals in the forest.

Birds & Branches, April 12 @ 9:00 am
Fly into the Congaree Wilderness to take a walk with a park ranger and volunteer naturalist. You'll search out who may be residing in the forest.

Junior Ranger Day, April 19, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Young visitors are invited to Go Wild with park rangers during a variety of activities to start our celebration of National Park Week. All activity participants will earn a Junior Ranger badge or patch!

Junior Ranger Day Wild Watercolors, April 19, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Join a ranger in the visitor center breezeway for a watercolor lesson using plants and animals found in the Congaree Wilderness as the subject matter. All materials provided.

Junior Ranger Day Take a Walk on the Wild Side Hikes, April 19, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Join a ranger for a short hike on the boardwalk to see towering trees in the Congaree Wilderness.

Junior Ranger Day Go Wild for Birding, April 19, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Young visitors can fly into the visitor center breezeway to learn about birding with a park ranger.

Go Wild for Birding, April 26, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Young visitors can fly into the visitor center to learn about birding with a park ranger. This activity is part of the Santee Birding and Nature Festival.

National Park Week 2014 is April 19-27. Admission is free for every park the first weekend (April 19 & 20) and a variety of activities will take place at sites around the country. A visit to Congaree is always free and a great way to celebrate National Park Week. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9:00am-5:00 pm, Tuesday-Saturday. The trails and campgrounds are always open. Visit www.nationparkweek.org for more information about what is going on at other National Park Service sites throughout the country. You can share your park experiences and photos on the website and use #gowildnps on social media.

For more information about Congaree National Park call 803 776-4396.