Registration for Park members begins on January 4, 2010.
Non Park members can register beginning February 8, 2010.
 

York County is home to 11 county parks totaling over 4,300 acres. Summer programs are held in selected parks each summer. Each park offers its own habitats and recreational opportunities for students to enjoy. Experienced staff with a combination of 50+ years as environmental educators and seasonal staff use their skills to create fun and educational programs. Although the programs are repeated each year, the themes are changed annually.

To register: Print the registration and health forms from www.yorkcountyparks.org. Complete the forms, and mail them to the above address with full payment.

To register by phone using MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit cards, money order, or check: Call York County Parks at (717) 840-7440 during regular business hours. Staff will complete the registration form. Complete the health form and return it to the address above. You will have 2 weeks to submit payment if using a check or money order.

Specific questions on the activities for all programs should be addressed to Jeri Jones at (717) 840-7226.
 

Download Brochure and Registration Form now
 
June 16, 30 July 14, 28, August 18: Small Wonders Series
Ages: 3 & 4
Times: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Cost: $20.00
Class Size: 20
Park: Nixon
Description: This series is a great way for young learners and their parents to spend time learning about nature together. In this indoor-outdoor class, children will role play, imitate, experiment, question, and imagine with the help of an adult. Each class will have a different topic.
June 22 - 25: Nature Discovery Program I
Ages: 5 & 6
Times:  9:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $60.00
Class Size: 20
Park: Nixon
Description: Classes introduce children to a variety of natural history topics using hands-on activities, props, hikes, stories, and take-home projects. Classes are both educational and fun, and returning students always learn how to explore new things in different ways!
August 3 - 6: Nature Discovery Program II
Ages: 7 & 8
Times: 9:00  - 11:30 a.m.  OR 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 20
Park: Nixon
Description: Classes introduce children to a variety of natural history topics using hands-on activities, props, hikes, stories, and take-home projects. Classes are both educational and fun, and returning students always learn how to explore new things in different ways!
July 20 - 23: Nature Discovery Program III 
Ages: 9 - 12
Times:  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $130.00
Class Size: 18
Parks: Nixon/Kain/Heritage Rail Trail
Description: New for 2010: NDP3 includes a trip to the Susquehanna River!
Combine hiking, biking, boating, nature study and survival as you get
one of the most exciting weeks of the summer. Students will see the Rail
Trail by bike, hike the trails at Kain and Nixon Parks, investigate habitats boat on Lake Redman and explore the Susquehanna River with Shank’s Mare Outfitters.
 
July 5 - 9: Archaeology Week I
August 9 - 13: Archaeology Week II
 
Ages: 9 - 12
Times: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $135.00
Class Size: 28
Park: Nixon/Raab
Description: During Archeology Week, which is co-sponsored by the York County Heritage Trust, students truly get down to earth! This experience mixes hard work, fun, and education as students learn the basics of archeology by conducting actual excavations at a real archeological site. Students learn how to take notes, catalog artifacts, and build displays. Interwoven between excavations, the class tours selected York County Heritage Trust sites so students can see how archeology relates to historical interpretation. A public hike to examine the excavations and the students’ findings is held on Thursday evening of each week beginning at 6:00 PM.
DID YOU KNOW? The York County Department of Parks and Recreation hires two seasonal staff to plan and run these programs. Many of those hired over the past 18 years have been college students. This experience is a great stepping-stone for college students who plan on working with children in the future or simply love children.   Please let us know if you are aware of anyone who is interested in working with the children (paid or volunteer).

     Previous NDP staff members have not only graduated from college but some have received Masters and Doctoral degrees, have become full-time teachers, youth counselors, recreation directors and York County Park Naturalists. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Jeri Jones at (717) 840-7226 for further details.
 
VOLUNTEERS are sought to assist in all of the classes. If you are interested in being employed by the Parks for the summer or would love to volunteer, please contact, Jeri Jones, Program Coordinator at (717) 840-7226. Those who volunteer do so because they love giving back to the community, like to work with children, have an interest in the outdoors or area history