Strawberry Hill will be at FunFest!

Each year, the Adams County Library hosts FunFest at the Gettysburg Rec Park. FunFest is our free event that celebrates the kick-off into SummerQuest, the ACLS summer learning program. FunFest encourages children and families to participate in SummerQuest, as well as experience everything the community has to offer. We invite community organizations and businesses to host vendor booths with activities for children and information for parents.

Adams County Public Libraries are a vital part of our community's learning network. The need for free, high-quality programs for children and youth that are both fun and educational is critical during the summer months when they are susceptible to what is referred to as the "summer slide". In order to engage the children and youth of Adams County, both physically and mentally, we offer our annual SummerQuest program. The program provides children the opportunity to experience everything the library has to offer through leisure reading, virtual programs, and participation in a variety of activities. 

Food Truck vendors for 2024: Mr. Y's Shaved Ice, PA Dairyman's Association, The Mexican Food Truck, The Sweet Patch

For more information, check out the library’s website: ACPL

Join Strawberry Hill as we present at the NPS Campfire Programs!

What are the Campfire Programs? NPS rangers present evening campfire talks on a wide variety of topics on the Battle of Gettysburg and the American Civil War. Programs take place at 6:30 pm at the Pitzer Woods Amphitheater, near Auto Tour Stop #6.

More info to come.

Join us for a free nighttime nature hike under the Full Strawberry Moon!

What better way to celebrate the official start of summer than a hike under the glorious full moon? This is our favorite time of year. The forest is in bloom and wild strawberries are everywhere. We’ll explore some local history and discover the origins of our nature preserve.

Guided hike will start at 9:30pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Junior Trail Adventure and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.

Join in the summer fun with Strawberry Hill and Adams County Public Library’s Adventures in Hiking!

Join us for a 1-mile family hike through the forest and we'll discuss basic safety while hiking and fun games to play on the trail.  This program is weather permitting. Please bring water and sunblock and wear appropriate footwear. A parent/ guardian must be present for the hike if your explorer is under 18 years old. Free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. 

To register, click here.

Join Strawberry Hill as we present at the NPS Campfire Programs!

What are the Campfire Programs? NPS rangers present evening campfire talks on a wide variety of topics on the Battle of Gettysburg and the American Civil War. Programs take place at 6:30 pm at the Pitzer Woods Amphitheater, near Auto Tour Stop #6.

More info to come.

Join in the summer fun with Strawberry Hill and Adams County Public Library’s Explore a Shore!

During this program, we will visit the creek and talk about what creatures live in freshwater streams and what a healthy stream looks like. We'll plan to get in the water with nets and search for macroinvertebrates.

This program is weather permitting. Please bring water and sunblock and wear appropriate footwear. A parent/ guardian must be present for the hike if your explorer is under 18 years old. Free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. 

To register, click here.

Join us for a free nighttime nature hike under the Full Buck Moon!

The cold, dark days of winter are a distant memory. The forest is teeming with life and her hard work is on display - from the brilliantly flashing lightning bugs to the lush green grass at our feet. Summer is in full swing and the forest is celebrating. Let’s join in the celebrations!

Guided hike will start at 9:30pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Junior Trail Adventure, Senior Science Expert, Brownies Bugs, and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.

Join Strawberry Hill as we present at the NPS Campfire Programs!

What are the Campfire Programs? NPS rangers present evening campfire talks on a wide variety of topics on the Battle of Gettysburg and the American Civil War. Programs take place at 6:30 pm at the Pitzer Woods Amphitheater, near Auto Tour Stop #6.

More info to come.

Join us for a free nighttime nature hike under the Full Sturgeon Moon!

August’s full moon is the first of four super full moons in 2024! When a full moon takes place when the moon is near its closest approach to Earth, it is called a Super Full Moon. Join us as we explore this astrological phenomenon and learn what it means for life on Earth.

The guided hike will start at 8:30pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Junior Trail Adventure, Senior Science Expert, Brownies Bugs, and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.

Join us for a free Grandparents’ Day Hike! Spend the day exploring our beautiful campus as we search for signs of wildlife along the trails. Bring a packed lunch and spend the afternoon on the Nature Playground.

Free and open to the public. Please email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register.

Join us for a free nighttime nature hike under the Full Harvest Moon!

Autumn is almost upon us and the forest is setting the stage for her arrival. Join us as we hike and celebrate all things autumn under the Harvest Moon.

Also - September’s full moon is the second of four super full moons in 2024! When a full moon takes place when the moon is near its closest approach to Earth, it is called a Super Full Moon. Join us as we explore this astrological phenomenon and learn what it means for life on Earth.

The guided hike will start at 8:00pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Junior Trail Adventure, Senior Science Expert, Brownies Bugs, and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.

Save the date! Strawberry Hill’s Trailgating 2024 will be held on Saturday, September 21st. More info to come!

Join us for a free nighttime nature hike under the Full Hunter’s Moon!

Let yourself experience the fall forest in a whole new way. Take a deep breath. The air is crisp and lovely this time of year, carrying a hint of sassafras and pine. The crunch of leaves echoes as you wander the twisting paths. Join us as we use our senses to explore the hidden corners of the forest under the Hunter’s Moon!

Also - October’s full moon is the third of four super full moons in 2024! When a full moon takes place when the moon is near its closest approach to Earth, it is called a Super Full Moon. Join us as we explore this astrological phenomenon and learn what it means for life on Earth.

The guided hike will start at 7:30pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Junior Trail Adventure, Senior Science Expert, Brownies Bugs, and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.

Explore the streams found on the Strawberry Hill property and gain insights into their critical role in maintaining the health of the waters. Join us for a guided fall hike to explore the stunning Strawberry Hill Preserve while learning about the vital role its streams play in providing clean drinking water to over 5 million people downstream. Strawberry Hill Preserve, in the northern reaches of the Potomac River watershed, is the gateway for clean water downstream. Join the dedicated staff of Strawberry Hill and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) as they partner to share their mission to protect and preserve vital water resources. Explore the streams found on the Strawberry Hill property and gain insights into their critical role in maintaining the health of the watershed.

This event is not just a hike; it's an opportunity to connect with nature, understand the importance of preserving our water resources, and be part of a collective effort to safeguard our environment.

Expect to walk about 2-3 miles on moderate terrain. Please bring your own water bottle, snacks, and bug spray (if needed).

This event is free but please register in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walk-in-the-woods-strawberry-hill-preserve-tickets-817002034077?aff=oddtdtcreator

Each participant will be required to complete the following form (copies will be available at the beginning of the hike):

https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf

This event is produced in partnership with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) and Strawberry Hill Preserve. It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.

Join us for a night of spooky family fun!

6-8pm

Take a stroll down the Middle Creek Trail for a Fall Forest Scavenger Hunt

Hang out by the campfire and enjoy s’mores & a storyteller

Play fall-themed kids games in the pavilion

“Strix or Treat” - Meet one of our Animal Ambassadors, Strix the barred owl! Hear all about what’s happening in the fall forest

8-9pm

There will be two hikes running simultaneously. One for adults which will include local folklore, ghost stories, and tales from the forest (recommended for ages 14+).

The other will be a family hike in which we explore the mystery behind “scary” nighttime animals such as bats!

More info to come!

Join us for a free nighttime hike under the full Beaver Moon!

Discover how animals and insects are settling in as the cold begins to take hold over the forest.

Also - November’s full moon is the last of four super full moons in 2024! When a full moon takes place when the moon is near its closest approach to Earth, it is called a Super Full Moon. Join us as we explore this astrological phenomenon and learn what it means for life on Earth.

The guided hike will start at 7:00pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Junior Trail Adventure, Senior Science Expert, Brownies Bugs, and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.

Join us for a free nighttime nature hike under the Cold Moon! Enjoy the beauty of an early winter trek around Strawberry Hill as the forest prepares for the long winter ahead.

Guided hike will start at 6:00pm and last about 60 minutes. We will have a limited number of flashlights to handout so please bring one if you can. Snow and/or ice is likely so please plan and dress accordingly.

For Scouts: This program meets the requirements for the following badges - Senior Sky, Senior Science Expert, and Cadette Night Owl. You will receive a certificate of completion from Strawberry Hill upon request.

Email Anne at education@strawberryhill.org to register. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Due to the nature of a nighttime hike, this activity is recommended for older children who are comfortable walking in the woods at night.