Take a Kid Outside with DPR Outdoor Recreation

Ok, so last week got away from us with the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Assocation (NCRPA) conference in Wilmington and we missed most of Take a Kid Outside week Sept. 24-30, but might I suggest we in Durham celebrate Take a Kid Outside Month?  We have some great opportunities in October from Lunar Exploration to our Urban Wild programs.  On Oct. 3 in Old North Durham Park (behind Central Park School on Foster Street), we have our Lunar Exploration from 7:30pm--9:30pm.  We'll have numerous telescopes through which to view the 3/4 moon and it's features and knowledgeable and approachable staff to help guide you through the night sky. 

Another great event for getting children outside is our Campout! Carolina Jamboree at West Point on the Eno Park in Durham, Oct. 11-12.  This is such a glorious event filled with families taking in the fall air with our friends from the Piedmont Wildlife Center and the Eno River Association. What makes urban camping a great experience?  Well, if it's your first time, you're close to home in familiar surroundings with friendly, capable staff willing to teach you the ropes.  If you're nervous about your capabilities, we can help.  If you don't have equipment, we'll get you set up with what you need to have a fun, comfortable evening in our crown jewel park, West Point on the Eno.



Storytelling by the campfire

Up Close and Personal with the Moon, Oct. 3, Old North Durham Park

If you like looking at the moon in your back yard, you'll be blown away by what you see through a 10-inch telescope. Last spring we held an awesome stargazing party at Old North Durham Park in conjunction with the NC Science Festival at which we had four large telescopes, laptops set to the current sky, activities for kids and even had a fly-by by the International Space Station.  Spectacular views of Jupiter and Saturn kept visitors returning to the telescopes to take a look.  

We're back again on Oct. 3 to view a lovely waxing gibbous moon through our 10-inch telescopes.  Waxing and waning moons are best for viewing the features of the moon, like the Copernicus Crater, because of the shadows cast by the sun.  Old North Durham is a surprisingly good urban viewing location with wide horizons, and the bonus is that it's walking distance for a large number of neighborhoods. Our knowledgeable staff and the experts from NCCU's Physics department will be on hand to help us explore the features of the moon.  We'll be in the park from 7:30pm--9:30pm, so come join us and explore the wonders of the moon!

Waxing Gibbous Moon