GVP 2023 Calendar of Events 

All our members and friends are welcome! We are planning several events and outings, and we will be adding more as the year goes on. Before attending any event, please check the event on the GVP website sierraclub.org/pennsylvania/governor-pinchot for details, latest updates, directions, and potential cancellations.

Please register and pre-sign the electronic waiver form to save time at the beginning of the outing.

Sunday, April 16 at 9:00 A.M. GVP Group: Adopt a Highway Cleanup

Meet at Airport end of connector. Park near the Sierra Club sign. Contact Robin at broderickhasa@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 22 at 9:30 A.M. Searching for Signs of Spring Hike in Stony Valley

Easy walk, 3 miles out and back along the rail trail. Bring a camera or cell phone if you want macro photos. Contact Carrie at yogasmile@comcast.net.

Saturday, May 20 at 8:45 A.M. Two hikes at Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area

8:45 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Easy Hike. This will be an easy 2.3-mile hike through the woods to see the big trees. Minimal inclines overall.

10:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Challenging Hike. This will be a challenging hike to the top of the ridge, across the power line for the views, and a winding trail back down. Approximately 5 miles overall. Contact Carrie at yogasmile@comcast.net.

Thursday, June 15 at 6:00 P.M. Sunset Hike and BYO Picnic with Keystone Trails Association

Easy 4.25-mile hike, flat, mostly farmland. Meet at the Craig Dunn Parking Lot on the Appalachian Trail in Middlesex Township for a picnic. Attendees may carpool to Boiling Springs. Then hike the Appalachian Trail back to the Craig Dunn Parking Lot.  Contact Bob at bobrebuck@frontiernet.net.

Saturday, June 24 at 9:30 A.M. Bike and Hike at Stony Valley/Beaver Dams

Bike 7 miles and hike 3 miles with views of multiple beaver dams.  Contact Bob at bobrebuck@frontiernet.net.

Saturday, July 22. Kayak on the Swatara Creek

Details TBD. Contact Bob at bobrebuck@frontiernet.net.

Saturday, August TBD. Hike at Cove Mountain Preserve

Three-mile hike with views of the Susquehanna. Moderate hike due to some rocky terrain and short uphill/downhill trail segments. Contact Carrie at yogasmile@comcast.net.

Sunday, September 10. GVP Group: River Cleanup on the Susquehanna

Contact Robin at broderickhasa@gmail.com for time and meeting place.

Sunday, September TBD Hike and Picnic with Friends of Tom’s Creek and Friends of Michaux State Forest

Details TBD. Contact Bob at bobrebuck@frontiernet.net.

Sunday, September 24 at 9:00 A.M. GVP Group: Adopt a Highway Cleanup

Meet at the Route 283 end (farthest from the airport).  Contact Robin at broderickhasa@gmail.com.

Sunday, October 1 at 10:00 A.M. Hike with Dauphin County Parks and Recreation at Detweiler Park

Easy 3-mile hike around the park. DCP&R will discuss the planned and in-process improvements to Detweiler and other Dauphin County parks.  We will also look for and discuss Spotted Lanternflies. Contact Bob at bobrebuck@frontiernet.net.

Sunday, October TBD Wildwood Presentation.

Contact Robin at broderickhasa@gmail.com.

Events marked TBD here will have the dates and times posted on the GVP websiteas soon as the details are decided. Check the event calendar there for updates and new events!

Trivia Corner

by Bob Rebuck

What animal am I?

• My eyes are large, bulging and are close to the back of my head.
• My voice is a loud buzzing “bzeep”.
• I am elusive and hard to pick out on the leafy forest floor, because I am very well camouflaged.
• I prefer living in wet thickets, moist woods, and brushy swamps with a mix of forest and open fields.
• I use my very long straight bill to find my favorite food, earthworms.
• I hardly have a tail.
• I fly in a zigzag pattern and when you flush me, I fly straight up to above the canopy and then away.
• I have relatives in Europe and Asia and I am in the sandpiper family.
• I am also known as the timberdoodle, the bogsucker, the Night Partridge and the hokumpoke.

Sources: National Audubon Society and Wikipedia

Tabling Opportunities

Come see us or help staff the GVP Sierra Club Table at these events! Contact Bob at bobrebuck@frontiernet.net.

4/15 (9-3) Mechanicsburg Earth Day Festival. Volunteers needed.

4/16 (10-3) New Cumberland Earth & Arts Festival.

4/29 (10-4) Wildwood Park’s annual Wetlands Festival.

5/20 (8-1) Cumberland County Master Gardeners Plant Fest & Sale. Volunteers needed.

6/03 (12-8) Gettysburg Pride Fest. Volunteers needed.

7/29 (11-6) PrideFest of Central PA. Volunteers needed.

9/2-9/4 Kipona. Sat. (11-8), Sun. (11-8), Mon. (11-6). Volunteers needed.

Enjoy the outdoors this year with us!

Bob Rebuck
Chair
Sierra Club Governor Pinchot Group