The themes for this summer are National Parks and hockey, so each of our locations was chosen with one of the two in mind.  Our trip started out at French Creek State Park, just outside of Reading, Pennsylvania so that Jack could attend a nearby hockey camp.  While he spent his days on the ice, Ryan, Liam, and I kicked off our summer by exploring the park and the surrounding area.  There was plenty to keep us busy, and here are our favorites!

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Valley Forge National Historical Park

The 4th of July was a scorcher, with the temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.  Jack had a day off of the ice so we spent our day at Valley Forge National Historic Park.  This is the place that the Continental Army spent the winter of 1777, any soldiers lost there lives there.  Independence Day was a great time to visit because there were several special events happening, including hands-on activities for kids, a community BBQ, and people reenacting some aspects of life at that time.

We started our day with at the Visitor’s Center with a quick video about the history of the site before boarding a Trolley Tour that took us around to all of the key locations.  The guide was awesome, providing interesting facts and dispelling many common misconceptions along the way.  (spoiler alert: most soldiers didn’t die from harsh winter conditions!)

 

 

When we stopped at the Mecklenburg Encampment, we were able to go into the huts (the boys tried out the beds), there was a musket demonstration, and period actors that helped Jack carry water like a soldier and Liam drill a hole with a tool that would have been used during that time period.  Tickets for these tours are limited, so definitely reserve ahead of time if you’re visiting during a busy time of year.

 

 

Just as we returned from the two hour tour, the boys were recruited to join the Continental Army.  They were given wooden muskets and practiced the commands and marching orders.  Then they made their own huts out of pool noodles using the same technique as the soldiers did in 1777.  There was a spot set up to practice writing with a quill, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by a man dressed up as Benjamin Franklin, story telling benches from the Once Upon a Nation group, and much much more.  We spent another couple of sweaty hours enjoying all of the activities.

 

 

 

My boys can’t visit a National Park or Historic Site without completing the Junior Ranger badge requirements.  Valley Forge was no exception.  They were sworn in and received their first badges of the summer!

We finished up our day at Valley Forge by driving back to Washington’s Headquarters.  Both boys (but especially Jack) love the Hamilton story and were fascinated by the fact that he had actually slept in the house.  They wanted to touch the banister that Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, George Washington and so many other important historical figures had held as they climbed the stairs.

There was a special program about spy techniques used during the Revolutionary War, and the boys participated while Ryan and I sat in the shade watching them write in invisible ink and get secret spy names.  The only thing left to do was stop for ice cream on the way back to our campsite.  It was a fun-filled hot and sticky summer day.

 

 

 

 

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Hiking, Swimming, and Catching Fireflies

Simplicity is underrated.  A walk in the woods.  A dip in the cool water on a hot day.  Reading a book in a hammock.  Some of my favorite things we did this week included little more than being outside and enjoying the company of my family.

On Monday, Liam and I took a hike.  I was planning to do about 3 miles with him, but apparently my map reading skills need some work because that little boy trekked over FIVE miles through the woods.  We saw some wildlife, pointed out interesting leaves, and stopped by a stream to eat our apples.  Just me and my little guy.

Jack couldn’t be outdone by his little brother, so he jumped at the chance to do a Ranger-led sunset hike on Friday after camp ended.  We walked a portion of the Big Woods trail.  This is a new trail that is ADA accessible and stroller-friendly.  The entire walk was lined with wildflowers, and the sunset was picture perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

This week was hot.  And I mean HOT.  Camping is great, but you have to deal with what you get when it comes to the weather.  Thank goodness French Creek State Park has a pool.  At $7 per person it was a bit pricey as far as public pools at state parks go, but worth every. single. penny.

Ranger-led programs are awesome.  Some are more awesome than others, but they are almost always interesting, educational, kid-friendly, and free.  We went to one hosted at campground called Fireflies: Fireworks of the Forest.  There was a brief presentation about the various species of fireflies and how they produce the light, and then we headed outside to look at the patterns of their blinks.  The kids were given nets to help them catch fireflies, and they loved it.  The entire field was lit up and sparkling with the lights.  This was an experience I don’t think my boys will soon forget.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

I had no idea what to expect visiting this site.  It was five minutes from our campsite so we had to check it out, and it was free, so we figured, why not?  But a furnace?  It was actually much more interesting than I expected.  The site is one of the best preserved early industrial plantations where iron was made.  The self-guided tour takes visitors through the step-by-step process of making iron.  There are many buildings to visit, including the collier’s hut, the cast house (which held the two story furnace, the barn, the store, the iron masters’ mansion and tenant houses.

 

 

 

On the weekends they activate the furnace and have iron-making demonstrations.  We were able to see one.  The boys even helped in part of the process.  The grounds are beautiful and there were animals on the farm.  It was a nice way to spend a few hours.  Oh, and of course the boys had to get Junior Rangers badge #2!

Our week at French Creek State Park was a great way to start the summer!