Youth Fest is the best-kept FUN SECRET in Waynesboro!
Free admission. [Rain site TBA]
A Full Day of FREE Fun & Activities!
The 2023 lineup of participants: • First Start Partnership • Waynesboro Area School District • Blue Ridge Summit Library • Eyler’s Pelts and Critters • Waynesboro Area YMCA • Waynesboro Ceramic Center • Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue • Alexander Hamilton Memorial Library PLUS~ A guided StoryWalk® and Craft, led by The Institute
Featured Performer, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Silly Goose & Val!
Ventriloquist, musician, composer, and performer Valerie Leonhart Smalkin was one of the writers, performers, and co-producers—as well as the head puppeteer—of the Emmy award-winning television program It’s Kindertime on Baltimore’s ABC affiliate WMAR-TV 2.
Val’s books and CDs for children have won numerous awards over many years.
She recently stepped down as President of The Children’s Music Network made up of 400+ performers, teachers, librarians, music therapists, parents, and children from around the world who celebrate the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas and creating community.
Plus ~ Waynesboro Children’s Theater Troupe performs Summer Selects, 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Annual geology bus trip with our ever-popular geologist, Jeri Jones of Jones Geological Services of Spring Grove, Pa.
Hosted by The Institute, the trip is open to those age 15 and up.
Departing from Red Run Park in Waynesboro, participants will travel to York County, Pa.
The trip includes nine stops throughout central and northern York County, where participants will learn how the Earth’s crust in this region was made and how it changed over millions of years.
There will be opportunities to collect rocks and minerals.
See how a limestone quarry operates, stand on one of the major faults in the area, view a picturesque overlook of the Susquehanna River, stand on an ancient oceanic ridge, see sand that dinosaurs may have walked over, collect several copper minerals, and stand at an epicenter of the famous Dillsburg 2008 earthquake swarm.
At the end of the day, participants will have walked through some 300 million years of geologic history!
Each participant will receive a custom-made trip guidebook.
Walking will be held to a minimum although access to one site is a 0.28-mile roundtrip walk.
Those joining the trip should wear comfortable shoes for walking (no flip-flops or sandals), and should also bring a bag lunch, snacks and beverages.
Hammers and cameras are welcome, and materials to wrap and carry rocks and other samples.
Dress for the weather.
This is an excellent program for a scout working on a geology badge or school student needing to build a rock and mineral collection.
A geologist for more than 30 years, Jones has conducted extensive research on Pennsylvania mining practices, authored several publications, and narrated a 3-part video series on regional geology known as “TimeWalk.” He has been on the faculties of several regional colleges.
The trip will be via bus, provided, and pre-registration is required.
Cost is $63 for members of The Institute, and $68 for the general public.
Mondays, April 24th, May 1st, 8th, and 15th • 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM | Pine Hill Recreation Area in Waynesboro, PA
Outdoor nature series for kids ages 2.5 years through 5 years.
Pre-registration for full series required.
Children must be accompanied by a parent.
Taught by Institute educators, age-appropriate program activities make learning fun, and include exploring the outdoors, hikes, nature stories, rhymes, finger plays, nature games, and puppets.
Mondays January 23rd and 30th & February 6th and 13th, 2023 * 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Pine Hill Recreation Area, 12684 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, Pa.
Outdoor nature series for kids ages 2.5 years through 5 years.
Pre-registration for full series required.
Children must be accompanied by a parent.
Taught by Institute educators, age-appropriate program activities make learning fun, and include exploring the outdoors, hikes, nature stories, rhymes, finger plays, nature games, and puppets.
