Norris Dam State Park Summer 2009 Activities
Tuesday, July 9
3:00pm Creek Critters
How healthy is our water? Join Chelsea at the Gristmill Bridge and we will go in search of aquatic insects, crayfish, and salamanders to determine if our creek is healthy. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes are required, and all children should be accompanied by an adult!
5:00 pm Norris Dam Walk
Did you know that Norris Dam was TVA’s first project and brought electricity to 36,000 homes? Join Chelsea at the East Side Visitor Center for an informative session about the history of Norris Dam and a walk across it!
6:00 pm Tennessee’s Wildlife!
Escape the heat for a while and meet Chelsea in the Park Office Amphitheater for a slideshow presentation about wildlife in Tennessee. Come find out more about these awesome and unique creatures!
Wednesday, July 8
6:00 pm Pine Cone Bird Feeders
Join Hailey at the West Campground playground to make a tasty treat for our feathered friends that you can take home to your own backyard.
7:00 pm For Goodness Sssssnakes!
Join Hailey, and one of the park’s snakes, at the Gristmill to take a look at nature’s most misunderstood creature.
8:15 pm Norris Dam at Sunset
Experience the beautiful sight of the sun setting over the dam, lake, and river from an overlook while learning the history of the dam and the cultural implications it brought. Meet Hailey at the West Overlook. Coming up from the Marina towards the park office, take the first left through a yellow gate.
9:00 pm Fireflies
Join Hailey at the West Campground playground to learn about fireflies and see who can catch the most! Jars will be provided, or bring your own.
Thursday, July 9
2:00 pm Wildlife Paintings
Meet Hailey at the West Campground playground to create artwork of your favorite park animal to take home! All materials will be provided.
4:00 pm Who Gives a Hoot??
Join Hailey and the park’s barred owl, Blinky, at the West Campground playground to learn more about these mysterious creatures of the night.
7:00 pm American Chestnut PowerPoint
Join Hailey in the park office amphitheatre to learn about the effect the Chestnut Blight has had on this majestic tree, and what you can do to help!
9:10 pm Night Walk
Meet Hailey at the West Campground playground for a short walk down the road. We will identify night sounds such as frog calls, and maybe even hear an owl!
Friday, July 10
12:00 pm For Goodness Sssssnakes!
Join Hailey, and one of the park’s snakes, at the rec hall by the pool to take a look at nature’s most misunderstood creature.
2:00 pm Four-Square
Meet Hailey in front of the pool rec hall to play four-square and learn about the origins of the game!
2:30 pm Gristmill Tour
Step into the past as you learn about the old gristmill that was originally built in 1798. Meet Chelsea at the Gristmill Bridge.
3:30 pm Lenoir Museum Tour
Meet Ranger Mike Scott at the Lenoir museum for an informative tour. Make sure to check out the barrel organ and the antique mouse traps!
4:00 pm Wildlife Binoculars
Join Chelsea at the west side campground to make your very own pair of binoculars to spot various
wildlife in the park!
6:00 pm Who Gives a Hoot??
Join Hailey and the park’s barred owl, Blinky, at the East Campground bathhouse to learn more about these mysterious creatures of the night.
7:30pm History Of TVA
Join Chelsea at the park office to learn about the history of TVA and how the building of the dam affected local residents.
8:30 pm Bat Watch
What are bats, and what is their purpose in the world? To discover the answers to these questions and more, join Hailey at the park office amphitheater to watch a slide show about these interesting creatures, and then go outside to watch these mysterious creatures fly from their roosts into the night!
Saturday, July 11
1:00 pm Pine Cone Bird Feeders
Join Hailey at the West Campground playground to make a tasty treat for our feathered friends that you can take home to your own backyard.
2:00 pm Creek Critters
How healthy is our water? Join Chelsea at the Gristmill Bridge and we will go in search of aquatic insects, crayfish, and salamanders to determine if our creek is healthy. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes are required, and all children should be accompanied by an adult!
3:00 pm Gristmill Tour
Step into the past as you learn about the old gristmill that was originally built in 1798. Meet Hailey at the Gristmill Bridge.
3:30 pm Caleb Crosby Threshing Barn Tour
What is a threshing barn? How did it work? Did you know that threshing barns symbolize the life and character of rural America from the early 1800’s and serve as a direct link with the pioneer past? Join Chelsea at the front entrance to the threshing barn for a tour of our agricultural heritage!
4:00 pm For Goodness Sssssnakes!
Join Ranger Scott, and one of the park’s snakes, at the rec hall by the pool to take a look at nature’s most misunderstood creature.
5:00 pm Norris Dam Walk
Did you know that Norris Dam was TVA’s first project and brought electricity to 36,000 homes? Join Hailey at the East Side Visitor Center for an informative session about the history of Norris Dam and a walk across it!
6:30 pm Lake Cruise
Enjoy getting out on beautiful Norris Lake! Meet Hailey at the Marina for a boat cruise, accompanied by an exclusive presentation on the history of the Norris Dam area. You must sign up for the cruise in the park office and the cost is $6 for adults and $5 for children age 5 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign release forms. The boat leaves promptly at the scheduled time.
8:45 pm Campfire
Do you like roasting marshmallows, ghost stories, and games? If so, join Chelsea and Hailey at the West Campground Water Tower for a great evening. Don’t forget your musical instruments, roasting sticks, and chairs!
Sunday, July 12
12:00 pm Camp Sam Trail Hike
This short hike leads to an area that is the original site of Civilian Conservation Corps Camp #45. Join Chelsea at the Norris Dam Visitor Center (at the base of the East Campgrounds) for a short carpool to the trailhead.
1:00 pm Leave it to Beaver!
Join Chelsea on a fun afternoon hike along the Clear Creek Trail (which starts at the Gristmill). We will talk about how beavers create their dams and find evidence of beaver activity.
2:00 pm- Bluegrass at the Lenoir Museum
5:00 pm Each Sunday, area musicians bring their guitars, fiddles, banjos, etc. to the museum to share East Tennessee traditional music. The place comes alive as listeners and performers enjoy the fun. Bring your own instrument or just enjoy the music, everyone is welcome!
2:30 pm History of Coal Mining
Meet Chelsea at the Lenoir Museum for an informative session on the history of coal mining in East Tennessee.
For more information contact the park office at 426-7461.
