If you’ve never ventured out to explore the State Parks in Delaware, this is the year to do it! With so many events, camps and programs to choose from, it’s going to be difficult to balance your life between the normal routine and the great outdoors. Here is a sneak peak of just a few experiences for you to choose from:
Bellevue State Park
April 17 – 21: Spring Break Day Camp for ages 7-12 from 9:00am – 4:00pm daily. Spring awakening! We will be able to witness spring at Bellevue. Each day will be filled with new discoveries, hiking, and crafts. Campers should pack a bag lunch and snack for each day. After care is available until 5:30pm.
First Wednesday of each month through May 3rd @ 9:00am: Walk and History. Discover the history of the park while getting exercise walking the grounds for an hour. We will take a different path every week to learn the history of each particular site, such as the Cauffiel Estate and Mount Pleasant Meeting House.
Every other Wednesday starting in May from noon-1:00pm: Lunchtime Concert Series. Bring your lunch and join other guests on the Bellevue Arts Center patio or on the lawn while you relax and enjoy free noontime concerts!
- May 3rd – Grace Otley/ Pop, Rock, Country
- May 15th – John Pollard/ Original Folk Americana
- May 31st – Bob Croce/ Classic Acoustic Guitar
Cape Henlopen State Park
Second Saturday of each month from 9:00am – noon: Volunteer Trail Day. Join the Friends of Cape Henlopen as they work to maintain the park’s trails or take on some other light maintenance project. For further details, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 302-644-5005.
April 14th from 10:30am-3:00pm: 49th Great Delaware Kite Festival. Celebrate spring at Kite Day and enjoy kite-flying contests, an Easter egg hunt, kite and food vendors, and fun for all ages. For more information, please call the park office at 302-645-8983.
Brandywine Creek State Park
April 15th from 1:00-3:00pm: Brandywine Creek’s Annual Kite Day! Celebrate sunny days at this Annual Kite Day! Bring your own kite of decorate one the make-your-own kites for free.
April 17-April 21 @ 8:30am: Spring Break Nature Camp. Children ages 7-10 enjoy a week exploring the different habitats of Brandywine Creek State Park through games, activities, and crafts. Each day campers will focus on a different outdoor theme including survival skills, life in and along the creek, and animal adaptations!
April 29th from 10:00am-2:00pm: 37th Annual Special Needs and Senior Citizens Fishing Derby. Gary Lasako Memorial Fishing Derby presented by the Delaware Trout Association, Brandywine Creek State Park and the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Advanced registration is required.
May 14th @ 1:00pm: Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk. Bring mom to the beautiful Flint Woods Nature Preserve to stroll through the forest, relax and take in the beautiful blooming flowers and nature preserve scenery.
White Clay Creek State Park
May 6th from noon-4:00pm: Creek Fest at White Clay Creek. Stop by to see the Wilmington State Parks’ Naturalist at White Clay Creek State Parks’ Creek Fest! Join local organizations to celebrate their natural resource – the White Clay Creek! Guided hikes, special presentations, great food, local and live music, kid’s activities, displays and exhibits including live animals.
June 12th from 4:00-6:00pm: Day Camp Open House at Chambers House Nature Center. Meet park staff and volunteers and learn more about camps and facilities.
Wilmington State Parks
May 11-May 13 from 10:00am-7:00pm: Flower Market Tower Opening. Rockford Tower opens for the season during the annual Flower Market, a spring tradition in Rockford Park. Climb this historic structure and see the Flower Market and the city of Wilmington.
Auburn Heights Preserve
April 22nd @ 12:15pm: Estate Walk. Stroll the grounds of Auburn Heights and celebrate Earth Day! Learn more abou the preserve and the Marshall family while enjoying the Victorian architecture and beautiful surroundings. Comfortable shoes are recommended and parking will be available in the field lot across Creek Road.
Brandywine Zoo
April 17-21 from 9:00am-3:30pm daily for ages 5-13: Spring Zoo Camp.. Enjoy a wild spring break at the Brandywine Zoo! Each day of the week will have its own zoo-related theme. The week will be filled with Zoo visits, live animal presentations, games, crafts, songs, learning projects and more.
April 22nd from 10:00am-3:00pm: Earth Day Celebration. What can you do to help save a species? Learn about what you can do to make everyday Earth Day during this special event!
To view all events and programs, please visit http://www.destateparks.com/. The list is far too long to include in just one article! This Spring, make a plan to go out and explore all of these great parks that are only a short hike or drive away!
