Cradle of Forestry to Host Free Outdoor Activities on National Get Outdoors Day

The Cradle of Forestry in America will celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, June 9, with outdoor skills demonstrations, activities and crafts. Admission to the site and all activities are free.

The USDA Forest Service is a National Get Outdoors Day partner. The campaign encourages Americans, especially youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lifestyles, connect with nature, and embrace public lands. The Cradle of Forestry in America has been designated as one of eight Signature Sites from across the country for 2012.

In this spirit, a variety of activities on June 9 will showcase outdoor adventure sports, traditional sportsmanship, and camp and trail skills in the Cradle of Forestry’s scenic setting:

* Fly fishing and fly tying demonstrations with Trout Unlimited and the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education

* Archery with Heritage Outdoors and the NC Bowhunters Association

* Still-water paddling with canoes and kayaks taught by Headwaters Outfitters

* Biking techniques and maintenance with The Hub and Sycamore Cycles

* Interactive camping displays and knot tying instruction with REI

* Map and compass skills with Muddy Sneakers naturalists

* Demonstration of Leave-No-Trace principles

* Ethnobotany walk will teach plant identification and historical uses

* Interactive camping displays

* Outdoors-inspired crafts

* Music program, Songs of the Big Outdoors

* Meet Smokey Bear!

The Cradle of Forestry is located on Hwy. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest, six miles north of Looking Glass Falls and four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information call the Cradle at 828-877-3130 or go online for a detailed schedule of events.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com