Spend Some Time Outdoors at the Great Outdoor Picnic

This story originally appeared in the Centre County Gazette.

CENTRE HALL — Wildlife For Everyone will host its annual Great Outdoor Picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park.

Wildlife For Everyone Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed in 2004, aims to promote wildlife conservation and education in Pennsylvania. It also serves as an avenue for project and organization funding that help to enhance the natural resources in Pennsylvania, plus provides funds for the Seedlings for Schools program and undergraduate degree scholarships.

“The important thing about having and preserving wildlife and habitat for future generations is to know that this wildlife is there, to go out and be able to enjoy wildlife,” shared Judy Onufrak, interim executive director and business manager of Wildlife For Everyone.

Onufrak noted that land development often leads to larger issues within the community, giving the example of how when bears find themselves in neighborhoods, it’s because those developments were the initial ones to encroach in their habitat. Wildlife For Everyone aims to help ensure the conservation of as much natural habitat as possible.

“For it to be there for us — whether you like to hike, bike, kayak — if we keep developing everything, that’s no longer going to be available. That’s what is important — to keep the habitat available,” Onufrak said.

The Great Outdoor Picnic will feature a series of activities to promote outdoor activities and educate the community on conservation. Throughout the day, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will put on an archery educational lesson. Trout Unlimited will provide fly casting lessons, and every hour two kids and their families will be selected to practice their new skills in real life in a stream. A chainsaw carver will give a demonstration, and the Pennsylvania WoodMobile will be on site for people to learn about different Pennsylvania woods and trees. The first 50 kids at the event can also partake in building a bluebird box.

From noon to 2 p.m., Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci will be in attendance for a meet and greet.

While the event serves as an opportunity for the community to engage in outdoor activities, it also is a fundraiser. Tickets for the event are $100 and include two adult tickets and entry for as many kids under 17 as they want to bring. A chicken barbeque lunch will be provided as a part of the ticket.

For more information or to register for the event, visit the events page at wildlifeforeveryone.org.