FIELD GUIDE
Back to school season is here!
In this Issue
Gearing up for Fall
This month the last few summer vacations are wrapping up and shopping carts are loaded down with school supplies.The fun isn’t over yet though! Our dedicated team is ready to transition back to weekly field trips plus programs & events for people of all ages.
It’s not too late for you to squeeze out a little bit more summer fun though: head out on the Serene 18 paddle trail to enjoy a day on the water or take a close look in your backyard for insect eggs hidden among the leaves. We encourage you to use the last long daysof summertogetoutdoors!
What Your Community Thinks:
“Thankyoufordoingthis,mydaughterlooksforward toiteveryweek!” ThriveKids
“Veryengaging,lotsof enthusiasm” NatureTriviaNights
Enjoy the last few programs of the summer before looking ahead at our fall lineupof programs
Quick Reference
MainLocation:ReedCreekPark 3820ParkLane,Martinez,GA
VisitorHours:Mon-Fri10am-5pm
ClosedSaturday&Sunday
Contact Info: 706 - 312 - 7358
kdegelman@columbiacountyga gov
Youth Program
Lil Waders set to explore “Water Wonders” in August!
Throughout July our Lil Waders got messy exploring the magic of mud in the wetland during our popular mud kitchen class. Now that our tastiest pies are baked it’s time to clean off with water!
August is one of the hottest monthsof theyear,sotostay cool our Lil Waders will be exploring the properties of water each week in an earlylearnerfriendlyway.
Ourstaff willstartclasswith the story Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis to get us thinking about where water comes from and how we use it. Then we’ll head back to theclassroomforsomewater
discovery stations! Once we have tested all our hypothesis we’ll move to the back porch to get creative and practice our fine motor skills with watercolors.
Come dressed for the main event as we’ll enjoy lots of watertoys,fromsprinklers& kiddie pools to water tables, during free play out in the field!
How to Join Us
Weekly Classes on Tuesdays at 11am at Reed Creek Park
Registration is open! Fee of $2.50perchildperclass
WeeklyClassSchedule: Aug4th Aug11th Aug18th Aug25th
LilWadersisforchildrenages2-5 yearsold;parentsmustattend.
Spacelimitedto15children
This program is designed for both early learners and their guardians. Each topic offers different learning experiences for children of a variety of play styles. Don’t forget the handout on your way out for more ways to play at home!
AllAges Program
Last Nature Trivia Night of the Summer!
Thank you to everyone who has come out to play Trivia with us this summer and helped make this a success! We have so enjoyed getting to test your knowledge and look forward to seeing who is this month’s winner!
How well do you know: AnimalsinPopCulture?
Questions will cover every animalcelebritiesof allkinds from presidental pets to history making animals and iconsof thebigscreens!
Teams will compete over two rounds of 10 questions each plus bonus points and tiebreakers.
The team with the most points will earn the grand prize of a Family Movie NightGiftBasket!
Our grand prize includes popular movie snacks from candy to popcorn, Zootopia DVDset,animaltriviacards, and a gift certificate to Eudora Wildlife Safari for one admission of a vehicle withupto6passengers!!
Teams of 2-6 players, larger teamsmaybesplit
No team? No problem: we’ll pairyouwithotherplaeyers!
Adult Program
Fall EcoTrips are here
Our fall series of EcoTrips are here and ready for you to enjoy: come with us to visit unique habitats around the CSRA and learn about the plants and animals that live there. Bring a friend or make new ones while enjoying the great outdoors.
FieldTripsforAdults!
OurfirstfallEcoTriptakesus to Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary across the river in nearby Jackson, SC on Thursday, August 13 from 8am-12pm. th
EcoTrip Details
$10 per person - registration required Ages 18+
Pack plenty of water plus snacks if desired
Meet at Reed Creek Park
3820 Park Lane, Martinez, GA
We’re heading out early to beat the heat and try to spot Wood Storks and other wading birds feeding in the ponds.We’llmeetupwiththe sitemanagertolearnmore
about the Sanctuary before exploring more habitats like the wildflower meadow and forested trails for the chance tospotcolorfulsongbirds.
Carpooling provided for all participants
Bionculars available to those that need them
Closed-toe shoes with good traction recommended
Beginner friendly experience
Sept’s EcoTrip: Congaree National Park
Mark your calendar because we ’ re headed to Congaree National Park on Saturday, September 12 for a full day exploring the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the Southeast. Full of champion trees and lots of biodiversity. th
This E “choos with se the par whoca Browse learnm shop, e the par boardw out for theway
October’s EcoTrip: Hitchcock Woods
Our last EcoTrip of 2026 takesustoHitchcockWoods in neighboring Aiken, SC where we’ll spend the morning exploring some of the largest privately-owned urban forest in the United States.
Haven for equestrians and full of towering pine trees you’ll forget you ’ re right in theheartof Aiken!
This half-day trip will cover over a mile of trail with uneven terrain so wearing shoes with good traction and bringing trekking poles is recommended for the best experience.
Save the Date: Friday, October 16th 9am - 12pm
Youth Program
Thrive Kids is back!
Our popular homeschool PE class is back for the 26 - 27 school year with our first classonThursday,August6 startingat10am! th
This FREE program is open to any homeschooled child ages 5 - 10 years old as of Sept1 of thisyear. st
Need to Know:
Enjoy snack time and social interaction after class in the multipurpose room
Class fills up fast, registration opens Friday at 8am the week before each session
OurThrivestaff can’twaitto see you all again inside the BobbyWaters Gymnasium at PatriotsPark.
Wehopesummerfunleftyou withenoughenergytoenjoy
another great year of PE games. Join us to build hand eye coordination, strengthen social skills, and encourage healthy bodies!
Student of theWeek is awarded to celebrate your achievements Click here!
Questions?ContactChristi 706-312-7411
cdeloach@columbiacountyga.gov
Tips &Tricks
PE at Home and in your Community
Stay active outside of class with“park parkour”! Inspire imagination and meet your child’s individual needs by exploring Columbia County playgrounds and create your own unique obstacle courses. Can you make it across the playground??
GatewayPark MemorialPark
AllAges Program
Hunter Education Course
Important: the date for our annual Hunter Education course has changed! It will now take place on Saturday, August 29 inside the Multipurpose Room at Patriots Park Gymnasium starting at 9am. th
This popular event is an in person learning opportunity provided by our local Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division to help our community prepare for theupcominghuntingseason by meeting the requirements of hunter safety certification whichisrequiredtopurchase a season hunting license and huntonpubliclands.
Thishands-oncourseisfull
of useful information for the new and experienced hunter. Taught by our local DNR officers it is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and even learn some tips and tricks!
Best part? This course is completelyfreetoattend!
Need to Know
Saturday, August 29 9am - 5pm th
Registration is now open! Space is limited to 35 and registration fills fast so don’t wait to secure your spot today!!
Thiscourseisopentoanyone aged10+yearsold
Therewillbeanhourlunch breakduringthiscourse. Participantsarewelcometo packalunchorvisitnearby restaurants.
Please come prepared with a notebookandwritingutensil forthisclass.
Questions? Contact Christi DeLoach706-312-7411
AllAges Program
Take Part in The Great Southeast Pollinator Census!
Become a citizen scientist during this drop in opportunity! This UGA project has collected data over the past 7 years and lets everyone make a difference for pollinator conservation.
JointheCount!
Did you know it only takes 15 minutes to help contribute to science? When you help count pollinators as part of the pollinator census yourdataisusedinresearch!
Weareproudtopartnerwith this program by offering pollinator activity stations and staff guidance to help our community count and have their data added to the census.
To learn more about how it works click here to watch a shortvideo.Thencomeseeus on Sat, Aug 22 at Reed CreekPark! nd
Come out to the demonstrationgardenswhere our staff and volunteers will teach you how it all works before helping you pick a planttocountwhostopsby.
Free - Registration is not required, recommended for 5+ It Counts to Know!
Beginner friendly experienceour staff is here to help!
Learn more about the plants pollinators count on from Master Gardeners and Augusta’s River Region Chapter of the Georgia NativePlantSocietytoo!
Reed Creek Nature Park 3820 Park Lane, Martinez, GA
Saturday,August 22nd 9am - 11am
Questions? Call 706 - 312 - 7358
AllAges Programs
Monthly Social Programs
Enjoying the outdoors comes in many forms; that’s why our team loves supporting some more unique ways to connect with nature each month through our drop-in social programs. These programs are great ways to unwind and connect with others!
NatureGameNights!
Thanks to Cardboard Castle Games we are able to bring you plenty of FREE demo games to try out each month inside the Wetland Interpretive Center at Reed Creek Park! Enjoy complimentary snacks while making new friends or enjoying a unique datenightout.Stopinforaquickroundor playthenightaway!
Not sure what to play? Don’t worry, staff is heretohelp,fromrecommendationsonwhat toplaytohelpunderstandingtherules!
Tuesday,August4 from5-9pm th Questions?Call706-312-7358tolearnmore
Wild Pages Book Club
We welcome bookworms of all types at ReedCreekPark’smonthlybookclub!Love it, hate it, or didn’t finish it we would love tomeetyouandhearyourthoughts!
NextMeeting:Tuesday,August25 at 6:30pm th August’s Read:
Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of The Grand Canyon by Melissa L. Sevigny
