June is the beginning of summer for many families and there are some great local events in Maryland and Virginia which celebrate this favored time to get together in the outdoors. On Saturday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the “Summer Family Fun Fest” takes place at Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster County, on Virginia’s Lower Northern Neck. Programs and fun for the whole family will include, “Snakes Alive”, bicycle safety, a hike to identify wild edibles and getting your feet wet in some of the pristine tidewater which surrounds much of Belle Isle State Park. The day also includes hay rides, face painting, fishing tournaments and many other activities. Food will be provided free of charge and is to include a pig roast, hot dogs, hamburgers and barbecue. Prizes will include bikes for boys and girls, trivia games and fishing rods and reels. The June 7, Saturday event is hosted by Belle Isle State Park, the Virginia Extension Service, Historic Christ Church and the Lancaster Community Library. For information or directions, call the Park at (804) 462-5030 or Tonya at the Lancaster Community Library at (804) 435-1729.

     The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is well known for it’s conservation efforts on behalf of wildlife. Equally important to it’s many members is providing opportunities for youth and their families to enjoy the outdoors. The NWTF’s Southern Maryland Chapter has for several years sponsored their annual JAKES” Day for youth 17 years and younger and their families. The Juniors Achieving Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES) program is one which invites the next generation to enjoy and learn about the outdoors. There is lots of fun along with the opportunity for those in attendance to learn about the important relationship between people and the environment. The Izaak Walton League’s Southern Maryland Chapter has provided their beautiful “Outdoor Education Center” for previous JAKES events and is doing so again this year. On Saturday, June 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., the day of fun in Charles County Maryland gets underway. Also available for this year’s JAKES event is an optional overnight camp out on Friday evening, June 20 which begins with check-in at the Izaak Walton Property taking place from 6-6:30 p.m. Those who decide to enjoy the camp out will be treated to dinner and breakfast from camp chefs, a night hike in the Jordan and Zekiah Swamp watersheds and tales around the campfire. Those who decide to enjoy the optional overnight camp out must bring their own tent, bedding and gear. After either waking up to a beautiful Southern Maryland sunrise or arriving on Saturday June 21, there will be a variety of events to enjoy. Included will be optional rotating stations for air rifle, muzzle loader, shotgun clay bird shooting, fishing, stream side habitat walks and turkey calling. Lunch will be served and Wildlife habitat hay wagon rides also take place. Saturday afternoon finishes up with prizes, an exciting cannon net demonstration and the popular “Scales & Tales” Program. The Location for the June 20-21, 2003 Southern Maryland JAKES Day is within a few miles of Waldorf at the end of Gardiner Road. 

     To register for this free event and to get directions, call (301) 743-5161. 

     A Northern Neck event in Virginia which puts youngsters together with the exciting experience of wild turkeys occurs this month. On Saturday, June 21,the 3rd Annual “Talkin’ Turkey Day” takes place in Heathsville, Virginia. This Northumberland County locale is famous for the many flocks of wild turkeys which are part of the incredible wildlife success story which Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has brought about. This year’s activities take place on the beautiful “Roanoke Farm” Property. Things get underway at 9:00 a.m. and continue through 3:00 p.m. The fun filled day is free of charge and includes lunch. Scheduled activities include first aid, wilderness survival, a calling contest with prizes, woods walk, scouting trip, how to develop and take care of a wildlife food plot and game management of the wild turkey. To register and get directions to the Roanoke Farm, call Bruce Wilds at (804) 580-8942. 

© 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved
Photos © 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved