Outdoors Listings: June 6 to June 12, 2014

First Posted:

THIS WEEK: June 6 to June 12, 2014

Breathe Deep NEPA, a 5K Walk and Fun Run sponsored by the Lungevity Foundation to raise awareness of lung cancer. Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. Saturday with registration at 9 a.m., program at 10 a.m. and walk at 10:30 a.m. $25; $15 students. Info at lungevity.org or 312-407-6100.

Fight for Air 5K Run and Walk, sponsored by the American Lung Association. Choose from the Dry Walk Route or the Wet and Wild Water Sprinkler Route. King’s College Betzler Fields, Highland Park Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre Township. Saturday with registration at 9 a.m. and timed run at 10 a.m. followed by the walk. $25. Followed by an ice cream social. 570-823-2212.

Volunteer Work Day. Celebrate National Trails Day by hiking a trail and doing some cleanup along the way. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Discover the D&L, Seven Tubs Hike, celebrate National Trails Day by hiking at the Seven Tubs Natural Area’s approximately 2 mile Audubon Trail followed by the Wheelbarrow Run Trail (about 1/2 mile). 10 a.m. Saturday. Meet at the Tubs Natural Area just off Route 115 south of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township. Entrance to the Tubs is west off Route 115. Wear sneakers or hiking boots. Hike will be cancelled in event of heavy rain. 570-714-1953.

Reptiles and Snakes, close-up looks at the black rat, eastern ribbon and corn snakes. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 1 p.m. Saturday. Free. 570-675-9900.

Lake Scranton Hike, seven easy miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. 12:45 p.m. Sunday. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers. 570-388-6553.

Walk Two Miles in My Shoes, the annual fundraiser for the RSDA (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association). McDade Park, 22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton. Sunday with registration at noon and walk at 1 p.m. $10. 570-876-4034.

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Bog, an official survey with sightings submitted to the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey, a state-wide project. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, 166 Cherry Lane Road. 1 p.m. Tuesday. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Kayaking: Levels I and II, a four-hour course for beginners age 18 and older. The morning session covers introductory skills, kayak terminology and basic paddling, while the afternoon session takes on self-rescue and boat-over-boat rescue. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. $5. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, Industrial Barons and Their Mansions. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Full Moon Hike, a 1.5 mile walk over easy terrain to view sunset and moonrise. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, Montrose. 8:30 p.m. June 13. Freewill donations accepted. 570-945-3239.

Heritage Explorer Bike Tour, the fifth annual ride with out-and-back routes of 5, 11, 22 and 44 miles from Blakely Borough Recreation Complex in Peckville, proceeding on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail through Archbald, Jermyn, Carbondale, Simpson and Union Dale. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14. Info at lhva.org.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and Boat Rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. June 14. Free. 570-675-9900.

Kayaking: Level I, a one-hour session for beginners age 9 and older. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. June 14 with sessions offered at 9:30, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Wild Edibles Walk to identify food provided by nature. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon June 14. $10. 570-828-2319 or peec.org.

Life in Swink Pond. Use buckets and nets to capture unusual life forms in a freshwater pond. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. to noon June 14. $5. 570-629-3061.

Greater Hazleton Rails-to-Trails Day, the annual festival with fun activities, food and bike riding on the historic trail. Trailhead is off Route 93 near the intersection of Route 424 in Hazleton. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 570-714-1953.

Cranberry Bog Walk, a 2.5-hour exploration of the northern boreal bog with novel plant and animal life. Meet at the Bog parking lot, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 2 p.m. June 14. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Breakneck Ridge Hike, eight difficult miles with rock scrambles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. 7:45 a.m. June 15. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers. 570-825-7200.

Safe Boating Classes, a certification course for ages 12 and older, presented by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. American Legion, 4907 Memorial Highway, Harveys Lake. Four-hour sessions 6 to 10 p.m. June 17 and 18. $25. Reservations: 570-815-0471.

Kestrel Field Trip, learning about the ecology and conservation of this colorful raptor by surveying kestrel nest boxes. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 18. $24. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Cranberry Bog Walk, a 2.5-hour exploration of the northern boreal bog with novel plant and animal life. Meet at the Bog parking lot, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 1 p.m. June 18 and 25. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, Wilkes-Barre’s Ever Changing Landscape. 6:30 p.m. June 18. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Birding the Thomas Darling Preserve, a morning seeking out bird species in the tamarack bog surrounded by wetland and upland habitats. Meet at the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Bartonsville. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 19. $20. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Keystone Active Zone Passport, a free program that encourages people to get outside and active at more than 50 outdoor recreation sites and events within a 10- to 60-mile drive of anywhere in Luzerne County from family bike rides to trail hikes to river festivals to quiet nature preserves. Earn awards and win prizes by logging your discoveries on line through Sept. 30. Join anytime by registering at KAZpassport.com or call 570-970-5040.

Bioblitz, a 24-hour biological survey of the species found at the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area in Blakeslee. Sponsored by the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. From 3 p.m. June 20 to 3 p.m. June 21. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Back Mountain Trail Bike Ride, a 10-mile ride from the Back Mountain to the Riverfest celebration at Nesbitt Park in Wilkes-Barre. Meet at Dallas High School, 2000 Conyngham Ave. 9:30 a.m. June 21. 570-714-1953.

Summer Solstice Celebration, afternoon games and activities for the whole family to enjoy on the longest day of the year with evening storytelling and music and bonfire after dark. Salt Springs Park, Silver Creek Road, Montrose. 4 p.m. June 21. Bring chairs, snacks and drinks. Rain date June 22. Free will donations accepted. 570-945-3239.

Hazleton Rails-to-Trails Hike, eight moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309, near Blackman Street in Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. June 22. Bring snacks and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers. 570-457-0527.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, Keeping the River Out of Our Living Rooms. 6:30 p.m. June 25. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Bird Nests and Fledglings, a walk along Kettle Creek to discover the breeding behaviors of native birds. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 11 a.m. to noon. June 28. $5. 570-629-3061.

Glen Onoko Falls Hike, nine difficult miles. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 9:45 a.m. June 29. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers. 570-283-1312.

Black Diamond Trail Ride, an 8- to 10-mile bike ride to Moosehead Lake and back. Meet at the Mountain Top Trailhead on Route 437. 1 p.m. June 29. Limited bike rentals available. 570-714-1953.

Cranberry Bog Walk, a 2.5-hour exploration of the northern boreal bog with novel plant and animal life. Meet at the Bog parking lot, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 1 p.m. June 29. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, the Kirby Family’s Living Legacy. 6:30 p.m. July 9. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Close Encounters with Birds of Prey. Get up close to six live raptors including a golden eagle, peregrine falcon, saw-whet owl and more. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. July 12. Free. 570-996-1500.

Y Cycle Sunday, an eight-mile round trip bike ride on the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. Meet at the Canal Street Park and Boat Launch in Shickshinny. 1 p.m. July 13. 570-714-1953.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, the Anthracite Age. 6:30 p.m. July 16. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, the D&L Trail: 165 Miles of Preservation, Revitalization and Celebration. 6:30 p.m. July 23. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Flora Survey of the Farm, a survey of the fungi, trees, shrubs, mosses, ferns and wildflowers at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26. $5. Bring a lunch. Age 10 and older. Signup: 570-992-6161.

D&L Bike Tour, an easy ride to discover the D&L’s history in White Haven. Meet at the White Haven Area Community Library, 99 Towanda St. 11 a.m. July 26. Limited bike rentals available. 570-714-1953.

Dragonfly Walk, a trek through the woods, fields and wetlands of the 400-acre preserve to learn about dragonflies. Meet at the parking lot of the Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve, Route 171 and Stack Road, one mile north of Thompson. 2 p.m. July 28. 570-727-3362.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, America’s First Park: River Common. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Pauly Friedman 5K Family Walk and Run, a fundraiser for the Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. Aug. 10 with registration at 8:30 a.m. Post-event party at the Banks Student Life Center. 570-823-5144.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, What’s New at Wilkes U? 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Y Cycle Sunday, a 10-mile bike ride on the Greater Hazleton Rail Trail. Meet at the trailhead on Route 93, Hazleton. 1 p.m. Aug. 17. 570-714-1953.

Y Walk Wednesdays, guided early evening tours, River Common Summer Nature Walk. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20. Departure from lobby of Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, South Franklin and West Northampton streets, Wilkes-Barre. 570-970-5040.

Tree Walk, a trek through the woods, fields and wetlands of the 400-acre preserve to identify trees. Meet at the parking lot of the Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve, Route 171 and Stack Road, one mile north of Thompson. 2 p.m. Sept. 14. 570-727-3362.

Y Cycle Sunday, a four-mile bike ride on the Pittston Trail to the site of the Knox Mine Disaster. Meet at the Pittston trailhead behind Cooper’s Seafood, 304 Kennedy Blvd. 1 p.m. Sept. 28. 570-714-1953.