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Fish and fun at glacier storytime
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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Marissa Conroy colored a picture at a Ford Nature Center program, "Gliding Along Glaciers."
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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Participants in the Gliding Along Glacier program took a ride on a passenger boat to look for animals.
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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Connie (left) and Jackson Spin took a ride on Lake Glacier to look for animals during a Ford Nature Center program.
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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Matthew Conroy was excited when he caught a fish at a recent Ford Nature Center program.
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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Naturalist Julie Bartolone read a book about fish to the children at the Gliding Along Glacier program.
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
Children ages three to six and an adult companion glided along Lake Glacier in Mill Creek MetroPark’s passenger boat to learn more about the lake and animals that call it home.
“Gliding Along Glacier,” a Ford Nature Center program, included the boat ride and a variety of other activities for children.
Naturalist Julie Bartolone started the program by asking the children what types of animals they expected to see in and around Lake Glacier. They got some right – fish, turtles and Canada geese – but others – such as a lion – were less likely.
After listening to a story, “It Could Still Be a Fish,” the group divided up to participate in several activities. Using magnets, they “fished” for pretend fish in a plastic pool.
“It’s not real fishing, but we can practice,” Bartolone told the children.
The children also created their own fish, using a balloon and paper fins and eyes. And, sporting life jackets and carrying binoculars, they went for a ride on the passenger boat, searching for fish, blue herons and more.
Tammie Conroy of Austintown and her children, Marissa and Matthew, enjoy the programs offered in Mill Creek Metroparks.
“We really enjoy seeing different parts of the park and learning about the history,” Conroy said. “And the kids like learning about the animals.”
Marissa said she would like to see a fish during the program.
“I like learning about the different animals,” she said.
Jackson Spin of Boardman was excited about “fishing” and taking a ride on the boat.
“I’ve never been on this,” he said as the passenger boat left the dock.
Spin said he likes animals. His favorite is a cheetah. But he acknowledged he probably wouldn’t see one in Mill Creek Park. He correctly said he’d see ducks, fish, and geese instead.