Dos Picos Park offers free Saturday programs
Dos Picos Regional Park in Ramona offers a variety of free Saturday programs for all ages.
The county park is at 17953 Dos Picos Park Road, off Mussey Grade Road.
Visitors attending the programs should meet at the park’s amphitheater at the scheduled time. Programs may change or cancel without notice depending upon the weather and ranger availability. The ranger needs to have at least 10 people for each program to begin.
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Snakes ‘n Skins with Ranger Ron
, 11 to 11:30 a.m. See and feel creatures living and non-living. Ranger Ron will break out his animal skin collection and introduce some of the office critters too.
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Junior Rangers
, 1 to 2 p.m. The Junior Rangers outdoor education program is based on California science standards. Participants will investigate and explore the rocks, plants, and critters of the park. Junior Rangers can bring their log book to get credit for participation.
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Craft Time
, 2 to 3 p.m. Participants make craft projects they can keep. A $1 donation per crafter is suggested.
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Earth Ball
, 4 to 4:30 p.m. Exercise by enjoying a game with an Earth Ball, called the biggest beach ball anyone has ever seen.
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Fishin’ With a Ranger
, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cane poles and tackle will be provided to the first 15 people at the amphitheater. A California fresh water fishing license is required for all fishermen over the age of 15. Visitors may bring their own poles if they wish to test the waters with a group. Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended.
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Night Hike
, 8:40 p.m. during the month of June.
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Bat Hike
on June 30, 8 to 8:45 p.m. See and hear real bats as they come out to feed in the park during an easy half-hour walk in the twilight. Timing is everything on this hike as viewing depends upon the changing time of sunset. Actual times will be posted at the ranger’s office. Bring a flashlight. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Self-Guided Hikes
, 9 a.m. to sunset, at convenience of hiker. Pick up a self-guided hiking sheet or try out the audio trail guide on park-provided iPods at the ranger’s office free of charge. Hikers can borrow an Exploration Pack for nature investigations.
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Cabinet of Curiosities
, 9 a.m. to sunset, at convenience of hiker. Park staff invites visitors to check out and touch the “cool, creepy things” preserved at the ranger’s office.
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Zero Waste
, 9 a.m. to sunset, at convenience of patron. Dos Picos offers recycling and composting bins so visitors can recycle and compost nearly all of their discards while camping and picnicking at the park. A free compost kit is at the ranger’s office. For more information, call 760-789-2220.