Come Join San Tan

May 15, 2013

Don’t get trapped inside by the summer heat. Come join San Tan for a variety of fun programs that take advantage of the coolest parts of the day. And if you join us for our featured Wet N Wild programs, you could win your way into Wet N Wild Water Park to cool off. Please read the attached document or below to find more information on June 2013’s exciting programming.

This month’s Wet N Wild Programs are:

San Tan Shredders Sunset Ride

Friday, June 7, 7:30p.m.-9p.m.

Join an exciting new mountain bike meet up group at San Tan. Riders of all levels are encouraged to meet at the main trailhead at the designated time. Once everyone has arrived, we will have a brief chat about the latest in mountain biking news and go for a quick warm up ride as a group. Once our muscles are warm we will break up into beginner, intermediate and advanced groups to conquer the amazing trails of San Tan at night. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, meet local riders, exercise, and just have fun. Please bring plenty of water your bike, 2 sources of light, and a helmet.

This program is part of the “County Parks are getting Wet ‘n’ Wild this summer” series and we will be giving away a family-four pack of Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park Tickets at the end of the program.

All About Monsoons

Saturday, June 15, 2p.m.-3p.m.

As the summer heat threatens to evaporate every drop of water from an already arid environment, a sudden shift in wind direction brings in moisture from the south. Soon Arizona’s sky fills with intense lightning storms and water pours down on a thirsty desert. Frogs and Toads appear out of nowhere, plants begin to bloom, and the Sonoran Desert is once again filled with life. Join us in the nature center as we find out why all the creatures make such a big haboob out of a Sonoran Desert Monsoon.

Stories of the Sky

Friday, June 21, 7:30p.m.-9p.m.

For thousands of years the night sky has been more than just a break from the day. The stars can be a sight of great beauty, a puzzling mystery and a familiar beacon guiding you home. They can be seen from all over our planet and have been the inspiration for many of the stories we have come to enjoy today. Join us for an unforgettable night hike (roughly 1.3 miles) and uncover the stories and myths from past cultures as we explore the constellations, planets and stars of the night sky. Please bring a flashlight, water, and proper hiking attire.

Animal Spotlighting Adventure

Friday, June 28, 8p.m.-9p.m.

Venture into the Sonoran Desert at night for a chance to see the illusive animals that come out under the cover of darkness. With our high power spotlights we will hit the trails aiming to find coyotes, foxes, bobcats, snakes and any other exciting creatures out in about in the park. Spotlights and flashlights are welcome on this 1.3- mile hike. This will be a low noise hike, with chatter at a minimum, to increase our chances of seeing wildlife.

Join us for these fun programs too:

Creature Feature

Saturday, June 1, 12p.m.-2p.m.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a cinematic adventure on San Tan’s very own HUGE projector screen. Watch this amazing movie in the cool, air-conditioned nature center surrounded by a friendly collection of desert wildlife. Before the movie starts, be prepared for an amazing animal presentation and chance to meet the cool critters of San Tan. Bring your snacks, blankets and pillows to watch this exciting movie in style.

Fitness Hike

Wednesday, June 5, 7:30a.m.-9a.m.

Health and fitness go together hand and hand, but instead of being in a gym all day, head outside and take pleasure in the scenic beauty of the San Tans. Breathe in the fresh air, take in the sights and enjoy a few fitness facts along the way. On this 2.2-mile fitness hike we will be discussing how to recognize heat distress signals. This program is part of a hiking series that will take place on select Friday’s each month with a new fitness facts topic for each hike.

Snake Feeding

Saturday, June 8, 2p.m.-3p.m.

What has no legs, 2 fangs and launches a strike in less than half a second? Come find out as we feed our venomous creatures and snakes in a jaw dropping display of predator meets prey.

Scorpion Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, June 8, 8p.m.-9p.m.

Join us for a tantalizing 1-mile hike to explore the wondrous desert life at night. Using a special black light, we will search for one of the true giants of the desert... the Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion. See its fluorescent glow under the black light and learn fascinating facts about these magnificent creatures, as well as other night life critters. Bring plenty of water, proper hiking attire, and a flashlight (black lights also encouraged, but are optional). Black lights will be available to rent at the visitor center through the Friends of San Tan

Desert Edibles

Saturday, June 15, 10a.m.-11a.m.

Mmmmm! Tasty! Learn about some of the appetizing delicacies of the Sonoran Desert inside the comfort of the San Tan Nature Center. Be prepared to be amazed, when you find out what makes a tasty treat in the desert, and what does not. We will also be offering a sweet sampling of Ranger Adam's famous Mesquite Pancakes and Prickly Pear Syrup. No utensils necessary.

“County Parks are getting Wet ‘n’ Wild this summer” series and we will be giving away a family-four pack of Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park Tickets at the end of the program.

Movie Madness

Wednesday, June 19, 10a.m.-12p.m.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a cinematic adventure on San Tan’s very own HUGE projector screen. Watch this amazing movie in the cool air-conditioned nature center surrounded by a friendly collection of desert wildlife. Enjoy making a fun Movie Madness craft to take home. Bring your snacks, blankets and pillows to watch this exciting movie in style.

Birding Adventure

Thursday, June 20, 7:30a.m.-8:30a.m.

Hit the trails early to catch the masters of the sky in action. This guided hike will take you deep into the heart of prime birding territory. Enjoy learning birding skills from our local expert. Whether you’re after Roadrunners or Ravens, Humming or Hawks, San Tan holds the key to an unforgettable birding adventure.

Venomous Creatures and Snake Feeding

Saturday, June 22, 3p.m.-4p.m.

It’s dinner time at San Tan and our snakes have an appetite that can only be described as “striking.” Watch as the Snakes and Gila Monster, inside the visitor center, stretch their jaws and swallow their prey whole. Feel free to ask the ranger questions and learn some “rattling” new facts about reptiles. (Please note that this event will feature snakes eating pre-killed mice and may not be suitable for all ages.)

Sunset and Full Moon Hike

Saturday, June 22, 7:30p.m.-9p.m.

Say adios to the hot sun and hello to the cool full moon because on this cool desert hike we will be enjoying both a beautiful sunset to the west and a gorgeous full moon above. Once the sun is gone, the full moon will illuminate our path through 2.2 miles of a stunning Sonoran Desert night scene. Bring your cameras and water for a spectacular night hike you won’t forget.

All About Scorpions

Saturday, June 29, 7p.m.-7:30p.m.

What has 8 legs, 2 pinchers, and glows under ultraviolet light? That’s right, scorpions. Learn about the facts, myths and reputation behind these mysterious creatures during a short presentation in the Visitor Center. Once you have learned all about scorpions you will be ready to meet them face to face on an exciting Scorpion Scavenger Hunt starting at 8p.m. for no additional charge.

Scorpion Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, June 29, 8p.m.-9p.m.

What has 8 legs, 2 pincers, and glows under a black light? SCORPIONS! Set out on a desert exploration at night as we search for these fascinating creatures and find out just how cool these amazing arachnids really are. We will be hiking 1 mile, round trip, on the Goldmine Trail; bring plenty of water, proper hiking attire, and a flashlight (black lights also encouraged, but are optional). Black lights will be available to rent at the visitor center through the Friends of San Tan.