Centred Outdoors to Offer ADA-Accessible Events at Soaring Eagle Wetland

For the first time this year, ClearWater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors program will host free, guided events at Soaring Eagle Wetland — a site that is ADA accessible.

Soaring Eagle Wetland, 6543 S. Eagle Valley Rd., Julian, is approximately 15 minutes from downtown State College, according to Bridget Whyte, adventure coordinator for ClearWater, and its 135 acres are located along Bald Eagle Creek. Fifty-five of those acres are wetland.

“We’re really excited to go to this property, specifically because (of) the trail there,” Whyte said. She said 800 feet of ADA-accessible trail lead to a fishing and viewing platform, which should “hopefully invite a wider audience” to the events.

In 2010, Soaring Eagle Wetland was established and donated to the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation, which provides financial support for wildlife conservation efforts and education in Pennsylvania, according to its website.

In total, there are around 0.8 miles of paths at Soaring Eagle Wetland, Whyte said, and depending on people’s levels of ability, they can continue walking on trails past the platform.

The free guided hikes will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, as well as 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27.

Whyte reminded participants that many locations of Centred Outdoors events, including Soaring Eagle Wetland, “don’t have as much sun cover,” so they should be sure to bring enough sunscreen and water. Centred Outdoors recommends using a water bottle that can hold at least 32 ounces per adult.

If locals are interested in participating but don’t have gear, such as trekking poles, child carriers and day packs, reservations can be made online through Centred Outdoors’ Gear Library. The form must be filled out at least two days prior to the event.

After hiking at Soaring Eagle Wetland, attendees can also birdwatch, fish, nature walk or picnic if they’d like to spend the day there.

Additionally, for those who would prefer not to hike but would still like to experience Soaring Eagle Wetland, Centred Outdoors will host a Wellness Wednesday with nature sketching from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26.

Presented by Ann Taylor-Schmidt and co-sponsored by Strawberry Fields, the event will engage attendees in a sketching and journaling workshop to “try to engage people in different ways that feel most comfortable to them” in nature.

There is a free van shuttle service available from State College for those who need transportation, but it offers a limited number of seats. Reservations are required, and the seats open one week in advance.

The guided events at Soaring Eagle Wetland will happen rain or shine, according to Whyte, and she said Centred Outdoors wants to “make sure everyone’s best prepared as possible.”

More information about upcoming events through Centred Outdoors can be found at centredoutdoors.org/events. There will continue to be free, guided hikes offered to the public throughout the summer to encourage Centre County locals to spend more time outdoors.