View from the Pole Steeple Trail
With Labor Day at the beginning of many school calendars, we can debate whether the educational system aims to throw a wrench in recently rewelded schedules or provides a break after building new routines. Whatever the intent (if there is one), Labor Day offers an opportunity for adventuring to be temporarily unbound from afternoons and two-day weekends, allowing families to enjoy September in central PA early this month.
When the heat persists, check out Laurel Lake in Cumberland County for a sandy beach and swimming area. Kayaking is allowed, and the blooming lotus are a joy to paddle around, especially with turtle heads playing hide and seek in between. Fishing is encouraged, and the lake has healthy supplies of perch, pickerel, bass and stocked trout. Laurel Lake is part of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, which boasts nearly 1,000 acres of forested land at the northern conclusion of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. Pine Grove’s Pole Steeple Trail is a short, but steep 0.75-mile hike that leads to a breathtaking vista of the mountains and surrounding Michaux State Forest. Hikers have an opportunity to merge with the Appalachian Trail near the viewpoint. Pine Grove Furnace State Park is the halfway mark for the AT, making it a point of interest for fans of the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.
Participate in the reclamation of previously farmed land by joining York-based Horn Farm’s Riparian Tree Tending Volunteer Days on Sept. 14 and 15. The work done by Horn Farm volunteers aids efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and, consequently, the bay itself. Horn Farm provides opportunities for folks to engage with agriculture, learn about sustainability, and participate in the benefits of rural living. They host programs such as elderberry foraging, nature journaling and identifying bird calls by ear. Horn Farm offers all-ages programming with regular Critter Crawls for young ones and internship opportunities for teens. Their spectrum of events is diverse and pedagogical, rounded out by professionals and enthusiasts from our local community.
Keystone Kid Space is an interactive indoor option for spending an afternoon, welcoming youth ages 6 and older to hands-on learning. The facility, located in York, is a place for kids to go all-in, immersing themselves in creative and STEAM activities in a space built just for them. The highlight for parents is The Hangout, a nook that overlooks Codorus Creek, which has Wi-Fi and serves refreshments so we can relax or make art of our own while the kids are safely stretching the boundaries of their imaginations. Keystone Kid Space participates in the “Museums for All” initiative that offers free or discounted tickets to families who receive SNAP/EBT benefits.
When the adventures are over, the week begins anew, which brings about another point of division that arises during the school year: spirit days. Whether you love them or hate these themed days, try using them to connect with your family by fully embracing the chaos. Throw your own family spirit days in correlation with those at your kid’s school. Maybe this means wearing something that matches the theme of the day or family members writing down something they are proud of. Make time to share your family spirit day contributions and be excited about each other’s creativity. Amongst the ever-changing landscape of school and life, there are always ways to celebrate the spirit that keeps us going.
Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located at 1100 Pine Grove Rd., Gardners. For more information, visitwww.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PineGroveFurnaceStatePark/Pages/default.aspx.
Keystone Kid Space is located at 10 Hamilton Ave., York. For more information, visit www.keystonekidspace.org.
Horn Farm is located at 4945 Horn Rd., York. To learn more, visit www.hornfarmcenter.org.
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