FUN FOR THE FAMILY DAY IS SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013
Family Day events will occur at various locations, but most events are held at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, and will be FREE for kids; a $3 fee per adult will be charged for adults entering the Museum (download a PDF summary of this schedule). Those events NOT at the Museum are marked with an asterisk (*) and the location is described. At the Museum itself, specific locations include:
O: Outside the Museum (meet near the main (gift shop) entrance)
LC: Learning Center (enter through the main entrance)
A: Auditorium (enter through the main entrance)
Fees apply to some events (see the descriptions), and you can pay at the event. Family groups must include at least one adult; each child 5 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult on all events and field trips.
Field trips go weather permitting. Substitute activities will be available in case of inclement weather.
9:00-9:45 (O)
Introduction to Birding and Habitat Hike (Stephanie Little and Jen Moonjian)
Learn to use binoculars and field guides and discuss habitat needs during a short walk from the Museum.
9:00-12:15 (A)
Bird, Learn, Make and Take (Lauri Jasprica, Cara O'Brien, Sue Shields)
Arts and crafts activities with bird-related themes. $2.00 fee for materials. Ongoing with "in and out" privileges during the event.
9:30-10:15 (O)
Intermediate Birding - The Young Leading the Young (Ross Schaefer)
Designed for kids ages 9 and older who are already familiar with binoculars and have at least some birding experience. Led by 16 year old Ross Schaefer, young birder extraordinaire.
10:00-10:45 (LC)
Bird for a Day (Chuck Mills, Karen Watts, Jerry Kirkhart)
Acquire a bird name during this 3-part program about bird history, basic identification, mouth parts, colors, and feathers.
*10:30 - noon (at Sub Sea Tours, 699 Embarcadero, #9, in Morro Bay)
Kayaking and Canoeing in the Bay (Kimi and Matt Paradis)
Paddle around the bay in search of birds and other wildlife. Participants under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. There is a $10 fee per person for kayak rental.
11:00 - 11:45 (O)
Critter Crawl (Chuck Woodard)
Crawl, creep, or slither along searching for bugs, insects, spiders, reptiles and birds around the State Park grounds. Participants must be at least 5 years of age.
11:00 - 11:45 (LC)
Rubbing Noses with Reptiles (Dennis Sheridan)
Up close, hands on experience with reptiles. Limited to 25 participants.
12:00-12:45 (O)
Learn to Track (Dave Berry)
Identify "who" made that track left behind.
12:00 - 12:45 (LC)
Rubbing Noses with Reptiles (Dennis Sheridan - repeat of 11:45 event)
Up close, hands on experience with reptiles. Limited to 25 participants.
12:45 - 1:05 (A)
Puppet Show (Linda Winters)
An enjoyable show for all ages starring the Great Blue Heron.
*1:15 - 2:00 (Community Center all purpose room)
Family Day Finale Vulture Hunt (Jan Surbey and Stephanie Little)
A "scavenger" hunt for those whho participated in at least one of the previous activities. Those completing the "hunt" will be entered into a drawing for additional prizes. Vulture hunt "cards" (to be completed by participants) will be available Saturday at the museum and after 1 pm at the Community Center. Cards must be completed and turned in by 1:45 pm to be eligible for the drawings.
*1:00 & 2:30 pm (two events) (Vet's Hall on Surf Avenue in Morro Bay)
Pacific Wildlife Care--Meet the Raptors.
Meet several birds of prey, possibly including a Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Red-Tailed Hawk, Merlin, and a Peregrine Falcon and maybe even Mr. Handsome, a Turkey Vulture. These birds are educational ambassadors for Pacific Wildlife Care, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center in Morro Bay. Bring cameras and questions for this up-close study of birds with binocular vision and sharp talons. General public event. Free for Festival registrants with name tag; $2 donation to PWC for general public.
*1:00 - 2:30 (St Timothy's Catholic Church, across from the Community Center)
Gone Batty (Burleigh Lockwood)
Myths, misconceptions, mosquito abatement and management of bats around your house -- all are part of this discussion about native bats. Skulls, skins, and skeletons help visualize the truth about these marvelous creatures.
