Going “Beyond the Program” at Gorges State Park

Originally published by the Transylvania Times on February 20, 2023. Written by FOG board member, Susan Banta. View the original article here.

When you think of a program is your first thought to be inside a room with a presenter using technology to share visuals?

Those are great, but what if the presenter could take it to the next level and take you out the door into the woods to let you have a hands-on experience?

These are often the type of programs that are provided at Gorges State Park using the backdrop of the park’s topography as a living laboratory.

Education is not limited to the young, nor are the programs at Gorges. There are programs focused on those just learning to color (Ranger Storybook Reading) and those who want to help better preserve our state’s incredible natural resources by learning the many ways to collect data for North Carolina environmental professionals (Citizen Science).

From more general topic themes (A Walk in the Woods) to more specific plant and animal species (Lichen or Not), there are programs for everyone in between as well.

These free programs are offered throughout the year at various times of the day and usually during the weekend allowing for the seasons to shape the outdoor landscape available for the learning experience in “nature’s classrooms.”

Some incorporate inside training in the classroom or at the park’s visitor center at as well as outdoor adventures. Others occur outside on the trails or at one of our picnic shelters.

The learning opportunities also come in a variety of ways. In addition to the programs offered at Gorges, there are educational materials on our website (www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/gorges-state-park/education) as well as exhibits and displays at our park.

The rangers can work with teachers in public, private and home schools who want to schedule field trips or invite a ranger to their classroom. Organizations such as Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs and other youth programs along with adult groups work with the staff on scheduling events to offer first-time opportunities or a return to a treasured hiking location.

Science is at the forefront of the work in natural resource management, but all disciplines including social studies, arts, history and mathematics can be incorporated into outdoor learning.

And it’s not just the park rangers who provide these opportunities either; administrative staff answer questions daily about the flora and the fauna in the park and the maintenance staff works side-by-side with the ranger staff in tackling invasive species, prescribed fire training and more.

Learning doesn’t have an age and isn’t limited to programs.

Here at Gorges State Park, we encourage everyone, families, groups and individuals to take advantage of the trails available to get your mind and heart racing simultaneously.

If you want to start younger ones off on a slightly easier pace, we have the Kids Track behind the visitor center that provides information and fun opportunities as well as activity brochures for them to use on the trail and at home.

Gorges also offers 56 miles of hiking trails, 17 miles of biking trails and 12 miles of horseback riding trails that you can enjoy with family or friends.

Oh, did we mention that some of the trails offer views of waterfalls, rivers and creeks?