August 1-31 Far Out Space Places GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Visit the most extreme destinations in our cosmic neighborhood. Scale the cliffs of the Mariner Valley on Mars, glide on the winds of Neptune and visit the original lunar landing site of the Apollo astronauts. See "Far Out Space Places" daily at 10am and Sat. & Sun. at 4pm. $2/$4. August 1-31 Explorers of the International Space Station GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See what it's like to live on the space station and do important scientific work. Before your trip is over, learn how to find the space station in your own night sky. See "Explorers" daily at 11am. $2/$4. August 1-31 Kentucky Skies GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Sneak preview of tonight's sky! Learn the constellations, lore of night sky, and celestial events. See "Kentucky Skies" daily at 1pm. $2/$4. August 1-31 Search for Life in the Universe GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Host Leonard Nimoy examines the ingredients necessary for life on our planet, as we ponder the possibility of life in our solar system and beyond. See "Search for Life in the Universe" daily at 2pm. $2/$4. August 1-31 Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See incredible views of our earth's weather through spectacular footage. Features a journey into space to explore the sun's effect on our weather. See "Blown Away" daily at 3pm. $2/$4. August 1-31 Summer Nights GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See one of our daytime shows (see list below), then go outside to the observatory for a look at the real night sky. Show Schedule: Search for Life 6/7; KY Skies 6/14; Blown Away 6/21; Explorers 6/28. See " Summer Nights" Saturdays at 8pm, doors open at 7:30pm. $2/$5. Evening program only. Fri. - Sun., Aug. 1-3 HUMMINGBIRD WEEKEND NATURE STATION Fri., Aug. 1 8:30am-2:30pm Operation RubyThroat: GLOBE Hummingbird Project Training Workshop NATURE STATION Do you watch for the first hummingbird of the season, grow plants that attract hummingbirds, or just like to watch hummingbirds at your feeders? Then the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) workshop is for you! Be a part of this exciting hummingbird study program that lets you use your hummingbird observations to assist in hummingbird research. Bill Hilton, Jr., of Operation RubyThroat, will teach you how to become certified to collect data about hummingbirds and share it with scientists, students, and other people across the GLOBE network. Workshop is recommended for ages 13 years and up. $10 per person. Includes light snacks and workshop materials. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Bring a sack lunch. Fri., Aug. 1 6-8pm Dinner with the Hummingbirds NATURE STATION Have you ever dined out while surrounded by dozens of hummingbirds? Join Bill Hilton, Jr., Director of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History and Operation RubyThroat, as he demonstrates the process of banding hummingbirds. Also, enjoy a tasty catered dinner as you relax amidst the backyard gardens and watch these flying jewels have a feeding frenzy of their own. $15 per person. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat. and Sun., Aug. 2 & 3 9am-4:30pm on Sat. 10am-3pm on Sun. Hummingbird Festival NATURE STATION If you like hummingbirds, then Nature Station is the place for you this weekend! Ruby-throated hummingbirds flock to the Nature Station in huge numbers during early August as they visit our flowers and feeders to fuel up for their amazing journey south. Join Bill Hilton, Jr., of Operation RubyThroat, as he demonstrates hummingbird banding and discusses hummingbird migration and biology. Enjoy a variety of programs, demonstrations, and activities focused on hummingbirds and other backyard wildlife and how you can help them in your own backyard. And of course, delight in watching more hummingbirds in one place than you can even count! *Ideal for Home Educators. $3/$5. Please call 270-924-2020 for more detailed information. Sat., Aug. 2 2pm America's Rural Artist: William Sidney Mount HOMEPLACE William Sidney Mount was one of America's greatest artists during the 19th century. Rural scenes including farming, country dances, and everyday life were among his greatest subjects. During this presentation, learn more about the work and life of William Sidney Mount, America's Rural Artist. Program free with HP admission. Tue., Aug. 5 2pm Let's Get Snappy! NATURE STATION Did you know that Kentucky Lake is home to a type of turtle that can weigh over 200 pounds? Visit the Nature Station as we take a closer look at our resident alligator snapping turtle, and its smaller cousin the common snapper, while they enjoy chow time. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 7 10:30am Storytime with Owl NATURE STATION Bring the little ones for this unique storytime program! Your kids will love to explore the world of owls as we read a story about an owl and then meet a live owl up-close. We will also make an owl craft your kids can take home. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 9 7-8:30am Breakfast with the Hummingbirds NATURE STATION Rise and shine hummingbird fans! Spend the morning with some great breakfast company, the hummingbirds! Enjoy a continental breakfast while we watch our tiny friends have a feeding frenzy of their own. Then sit back for a slide presentation about the lives of hummingbirds. $3/$5. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., Aug. 9 10:30am, 1:30pm, & 3:30pm Smokey Bear's Birthday NATURE STATION Wish Smokey Bear a happy 64th birthday as he makes special appearances on his birthday at the Nature Station. Bring the kids and your camera for some great photo opportunities with Smokey. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 9 1pm Invited Artist: Cumberland River Plowboys Old-Time String Band HOMEPLACE Join us this afternoon in the shade of the maple trees to enjoy cool slices of watermelon and musical melodies of the Cumberland River Plow Boys. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Aug. 10 1pm Black Patch Blues HOMEPLACE Known as the 13 month crop, raising dark fired tobacco is a succession of endless work. Today we will be suckering or worming. Old-timers claimed to bite the heads off of tobacco worms. Join us and you can too! Program free with HP admission. Sun., Aug. 10 1:30pm Back from the Brink NATURE STATION Did you know the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list last year? Join this tour featuring critters that have journeyed "back from the brink" of extinction, such as the bald eagle, white-tailed deer, red wolves, and more. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Aug. 12 2pm Truly Talon-ted NATURE STATION Enjoy face-to-face encounters with the master hunters of the bird world, the raptors! By meeting several species of owls and a hawk, you'll see first-hand how these birds use stealth, speed, and superior senses to rule the skies. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 14 2pm Creature Feature: Bobcat NATURE STATION Get a look at one of our most secretive animals, the bobcat! About 200 roam the woods of LBL, but they are rarely seen. Learn about the habits of this elusive feline as you enjoy a close look at our resident bobcat. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 16 9:30am-4pm Children's Festival: Children's Life on The Farm HOMEPLACE Life for a child on a farm was busy with lots of daily chores, helping their parents with farm work, attending school, and playing with homemade toys and games. Come early and experience the variety of children's farm activities. *Ideal for Home Educators. $3/$4. Sat., Aug. 16 1:30pm Climate Change Right Here at Home NATURE STATION Is it hot out here or is it just me? We have all heard about how climate change affects wildlife in the Arctic, but what about wildlife right here at home? Sit back in the cool comforts of our theater and find out how rising temperatures are affecting our local wildlife during this informative presentation. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 16 5:30-8pm Lake Barkley Sunset Canoe Trip LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of Lake Barkley. We will search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, egrets, deer, and songbirds. Weather permitting. $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space and for meeting location. Sun., Aug. 17 1:30pm Flight of the Hummingbird NATURE STATION Catch up with the hummingbirds as they make their migration to Central America. Join us for an indoor presentation about how these tiny fliers survive such a big journey and how we can help them. Then spend some time viewing these "ruby gems" as they buzz around the backyard. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Aug. 19 2pm Tales of Scales NATURE STATION Get up-close and personal with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, salamanders, and turtles. We'll introduce you to several "ambassadors" from the cold-blooded world as we explore the fascinating ways these slimy and scaly critters survive. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 21 2pm Creature Feature: Red-Tailed Hawk NATURE STATION Meet the Nature Station's resident hawk, the red-tail. Discover why the red-tail has become the most successful hawk in the Eastern United States. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 23 1:30pm Smooth Cutting HOMEPLACE The farm is a busy place and our tools show it in their dull edges. Drop by the tool barn and learn of 19th century techniques for sharpening a variety of day-to-day tools. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Aug. 23 1:30pm New to the Neighborhood: Wildlife on the Move NATURE STATION What was that? I've never seen that before! Armadillos, coyotes, and pelicans are becoming more common to Land Between The Lakes. Get the scoop on these and other critters that are "new to the neighborhood" during this presentation. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 23 5:30-8pm Sunset Canoe Trip NATURE STATION Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Aug. 24 1pm Puttin' by the Garden HOMEPLACE Summer fruits and vegetables had to be preserved for the winter months; however, before home canning became popular, preserving was a slow, tricky job. Visit the ladies of The Homeplace as they "put-by" the garden and orchard harvest. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Aug. 24 1:30pm Slithery Snakes NATURE STATION Snakes - they make some people smile and give others the shakes. But how well do you know them beyond their scaly skin? Meet several of our resident snakes up close as we explore their unusual lives and their creepy reputations. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Aug. 26 2pm Pocket Full o'Possum NATURE STATION Visit with the Nature Station's resident opossum while she enjoys chow time. Discover more about this unusual mammal that carries its babies in its pouch, "plays 'possum," and loves to eat persimmons! Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 28 2pm Creature Feature: Red Wolf NATURE STATION The endangered red wolf - is it on the road to recovery? Take advantage of this opportunity to get a good look at this elusive predator. We will share the story of how our native southeastern wolf is fighting back from the brink of extinction. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 - Mon., Sep. 1 Summer Finale HOMEPLACE and NATURE STATION Spend a fun-filled weekend enjoying a slew of summertime activities with the Nature Station and The Homeplace. Join the Nature Station for some wet 'n' wild nature games, canoeing on the lake, making s'mores over a campfire, and more! Visit The Homeplace for storytelling, an old-fashioned traveling medicine show, and children's leisure activities from the 19th century. Let's make the most of the last official weekend of summer. Sat., Aug. 30 Throughout the Day Smokey Bear NATURE STATION Smokey will be making appearances throughout the day. Bring the kids to meet Smokey and pose for some great pictures! Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 1-4pm Storytelling Festival HOMEPLACE Since ancient times, telling stories was a way of passing on family history and folklore from one generation to another. In keeping with that ancient tradition, The Homeplace will host its First Annual Storytelling Festival featuring talented local storytellers. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Aug. 30 1:30pm Wet & Wacky Games NATURE STATION Learn about pond animals as we play some active water games with a nature twist. Make sure you are dressed to get wet. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 3pm Watermelon Feast NATURE STATION Enjoy mouth-watering slices of watermelon on the last weekend of summer. When you finish, we'll test our seed-spitting skills. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 5:30-8pm Sunset Canoe Trip NATURE STATION Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Aug. 31 11am-1pm Kids' Craft NATURE STATION We're hauling out our arts and crafts supplies, so stop by anytime between 11am and 1pm to get creative with us! We'll make a simple beaver craft you can take home. No artistic talent is required. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Aug. 31 1-3:30pm Pond Prowl NATURE STATION What lives in a pond besides fish? Let's find out! We'll use nets and magnifiers to explore a pond and search for critters like crayfish, dragonflies, turtles, and tadpoles. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Limited to first 30 people. Register at NS front desk that day. Sun., Aug. 31 1:30pm Build a Beaver NATURE STATION Find out how busy little beavers are uniquely adapted to living in freshwater wetlands. We'll make use of group volunteers as we build an imaginary beaver and discover how this animal plays an important role in the ecosystem. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Aug. 31 2pm Dr. J. P. McGilicutty's Traveling Medicine Show HOMEPLACE Do you feel ill? Have no fear, Dr. J.P. McGilicutty is returning to The Homeplace with a full supply of his wonderful elixir. Or, if you are in good health, just come and be entertained by the good Doctor's dramatic presentation of a traveling medicine show complete with musical performances by the Cumberland River Plowboys Old-Time String Band, a Punch & Judy puppet show, and more. Don't be late, your health can't wait! Program free with HP admission. Sun., Aug. 31 7-9pm Kids Campfire NATURE STATION Bring your chairs and blankets and join us around the fire. We invite you to bring the kids for an evening filled with stories, s'mores, songs, and skits. We might get a little loud hooting and howling before the night is out! $2/$3. Evening program only. Limited to 50 participants. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Check-in will be from 6:30-6:50pm. Mon., Sep. 1 Ongoing from 10am-3pm Canoeing and Kayaking: Beginners' Drop-In Sessions ENERGY LAKE Drop by any time between 10am and 3pm by for a short lesson trying out canoes and kayaks. Learn the basics of paddling, how to maneuver in some challenging situations, safety tips, and equipment recommendations. When you're comfortable, try your hand at a short paddle around the lake. Program free to LBL visitors. Arrive anytime between 10am and 3pm for a drop-in session. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. Dress for the weather and the sun. Meet at Energy Lake Boat Ramp. Mon., Sep. 1 11am Puppet Playhouse NATURE STATION Hey kids! We're going on a puppet show safari in our theater to see what kinds of animals we will meet. Join us as our wild friends teach us how to take care of ponds and respect the animals that live there. Program free with NS admission. Mon., Sep. 1 1pm Period Pastimes HOMEPLACE Today's children might play on computers, skateboards, or soccer teams, but children in the 1850s had just as much fun listening to stories, or playing with homemade toys and games. Join in on the fun as we enjoy a bit of leisure time on the farm. Program free with HP admission. Mon., Sep. 1 1:30pm Totally Turtles - NATURE STATION Turtles are fascinating! We'll take a look at some of LBL's more common and unusual species. At feeding time, we'll get a closer look at two of the largest species found in this region, the common and alligator snapping turtles. Program free with NS admission.