Newport Wilderness Days (Day 2 of 2)

Description

This event at Newport State Park was started in 1992 as a way for the members of Newport Wilderness Society, the park’s official friends group, to showcase their beautiful wilderness park. Volunteers lead hikes and programs on Labor Day weekend, covering many areas of interest.

Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023

8:30-9:30 a.m. Yoga by the Beach Sherry Seubert will lead this

10 a.m. – Fern Trail Sneak Peek Join Gene Kenny, NWS Board member and the driving force behind the Fern Trail renovation, as he takes you behind the scenes of the Fern Trail project. He will be joined by Helen Berch-Kenny, Master Naturalist and behind the scenes wonder, who will share information about the trail as well. This guided tour will take you to the construction site that is underway, so you can see firsthand how Fern Trail is shaping up. If you have questions, they’ll have the answers! Meet at Lot 3.

1 p.m. – History of Newport, Out of Wilderness into Wilderness It’s hard to picture quiet Newport State Park as a small bustling town, but that’s exactly what it was. Founded in the 1880’s, the town of Newport had farms, a post office and general store, a saw mill and housed the lighthouse keeper. Bill Scheckler, past president of the Newport Wilderness Society, will be on hand to talk about the history of the area, up to our present day dark sky park status. Meets in the Nature Center, Lot 1.

2 p.m. – Camp Fire building, Wilderness style and Dutch Oven Cooking Build your own fire starters! Tom and Maureen Flatley (NWS board members) have been Boundary Waters Wilderness camping for decades.  Come learn their tested techniques to make your own fool-proof fire starters, easily getting a campfire started, even in the rain!  We will have supplies to share for making your own to use next time you travel into the wilderness. Kid friendly activity!

Stick around to learn from Chris and Cindy Treml at the firepit for their Master Dutch Oven Cooking Demo. The Tremls' have done Boy Scout demonstrations at EAA for years, baking breads, biscuits, jambalaya; you name it. This is their first time traveling to Newport State Park to share their expertise. Expect tasty samples at the end of this demo! Meet at the shelter building near Lot 3.