Frugal summer fun around town Continued from Page 3
Explore nearby waters Roll up your pants, put on some water shoes and go rock hopping. Any creek, stream or river will do (The Botanical Gardens at Asheville has a good one.) Take along some nets or small, plastic containers and see what tiny critters you can find (and gently return.)
Play at Lake Powhatan It’s not the ocean, but who cares? It’s close by and it’s a beach. With sand for castles and a chance to cool off in the lake (under the watchful eyes of a lifeguard,) what more do you need? Lake Powhatan is off Bent Creek Branch Road in Asheville, 667-0391.
Do a good deed Volunteer at a kid-friendly organization. Call the United Way helpline at 252-4357.
Hit the trail Ever been to the Holmes Educational State Forest near Hendersonville? It offers several easy, wellmarked trails with informational displays, such as the Talking Tree Trail, where you can listen to recorded messages about the trees and forest. Call 692-0100 or visit ncesf.org/HESF/. Or, visit the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, with its kid-friendly trails
and gardens, exhibits and special programs for kids. To find other kid-friendly trails in your area, try the U.S. Forest Service at 257-4200 or an outfitter such as REI at Biltmore Park Town Square in South Asheville (which offers free outdoor journals for kids), 687-0918.
Go back to school What? Hey, it’s a whole different place in the summer and many schools have library hours. And, of course, there’s the playground.
A few more ideas ◆ Consider buying an annual pass for the WNC Nature Center, which also gets you into The Health Adventure for half-price, says Heather Rejzer, of Mills River, with two sons, ages 1 1/2 and 4. Use the pass at more than 275 aquariums, zoos and science centers nationwide, including those in nearby Greenville or Columbia, SC, and Knoxville, TN, she adds. Buy passes online at www.wildwnc.org/ friends/become-a-member. ◆ Play at the park — see our roundup of area parks on Page 8. Rent a paddleboat at Lake Julian Park, in Arden. Cool off in a city or county pool. For park/pool information, see Page 49 or visit buncombecounty.org or ashevillenc.gov. ◆ Regal movie theaters offer free movies for kids throughout the summer, regmovies.com/nowshowing/ familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx.
PHOTO BY NANCY SLUDER
For some economical summer afternoon fun, rent a paddleboat at Lake Julian in Arden.
4
W N C PA R E N T | J U N E 2 0 0 9