On August 9th, we gathered at Krislund Camp and Conference Center in Madisonburg for our first-ever Family Field Day! Several alumni and their families, along with board members and supporters, joined us for a hands-on, outdoor experience that brought a taste of our summer field schools to everyone in attendance.
We kicked off the morning with a trapping session led by Gobblers alum, Autumn McEntee. Participants learned about Pennsylvania’s furbearers, explored different types of traps and their uses, and even got hands-on practice with safe, 3D-printed trap models. The lesson wrapped up with a live trap-setting demonstration in the field – complete with bait and scents for an authentic experience.
In the afternoon, Wildlife Biologist Tony Musselman from the Pennsylvania Game Commission took the group on a radio telemetry adventure. After learning how telemetry works and how the Game Commission uses the data to track wildlife, participants split into teams to practice locating hidden transmitters in the woods.
The day closed with a beloved favorite – a macroinvertebrate survey on Roaring Run. With kick-nets in hand, participants waded into the creek, collected macroinvertebrates, and used a dichotomous key to identify their finds. These small critters are an important indicator of stream health, but for the younger crowd, the real magic was in splashing and exploring in the water. Two enthusiastic participants summed it up best: “This is way better than Roblox!”
Family Field Day was more than just a fun Saturday; it was a chance for alumni, families, and members of the public to step into the boots of our Conservation Ambassadors and experience a glimpse of what makes our field schools so special. Thank you to everyone who came out and spent the day with us. We can’t wait to see everyone again at the next adventure!
2025 Family Field Day Recap
Posted: August 14, 2025 by Katie Mace
On August 9th, we gathered at Krislund Camp and Conference Center in Madisonburg for our first-ever Family Field Day! Several alumni and their families, along with board members and supporters, joined us for a hands-on, outdoor experience that brought a taste of our summer field schools to everyone in attendance.
We kicked off the morning with a trapping session led by Gobblers alum, Autumn McEntee. Participants learned about Pennsylvania’s furbearers, explored different types of traps and their uses, and even got hands-on practice with safe, 3D-printed trap models. The lesson wrapped up with a live trap-setting demonstration in the field – complete with bait and scents for an authentic experience.
In the afternoon, Wildlife Biologist Tony Musselman from the Pennsylvania Game Commission took the group on a radio telemetry adventure. After learning how telemetry works and how the Game Commission uses the data to track wildlife, participants split into teams to practice locating hidden transmitters in the woods.
The day closed with a beloved favorite – a macroinvertebrate survey on Roaring Run. With kick-nets in hand, participants waded into the creek, collected macroinvertebrates, and used a dichotomous key to identify their finds. These small critters are an important indicator of stream health, but for the younger crowd, the real magic was in splashing and exploring in the water. Two enthusiastic participants summed it up best: “This is way better than Roblox!”
Family Field Day was more than just a fun Saturday; it was a chance for alumni, families, and members of the public to step into the boots of our Conservation Ambassadors and experience a glimpse of what makes our field schools so special. Thank you to everyone who came out and spent the day with us. We can’t wait to see everyone again at the next adventure!
Category: Youth Blog