When the calendar flips to August there are two guaranteed occurrences: the dog days of summer and back-to-school commercials.
With summer winding down, families might be thinking about a final outing together. A last hurrah before the kids tighten the backpack straps and return to the halls of education. Crammed schedules might make it tough to set up a full vacation to an out-of-state beach or amusement park. Parents have to begin juggling work and school preparations, while kids have to get their materials together and find out which friends are in which classes.
Perhaps the family already went all-out for their summer break, or money didn't allow for a big vacation.
An easy, inexpensive choice that provides relaxation and adventure is the local state parks.
Robin Tracey, environmental education specialist at Locust Lake and Tuscarora state parks, said there are still plenty of options at the parks for families to get out and have fun.
"It's a nice place to come with the family, it's free," Tracey said. "There is always something going on, always."
A favorite activity at Tuscarora and Locust Lake is cruising the waters by boat.
For those who know how to operate a watercraft, boat rentals are available near the beaches. Rentals at Tuscarora and Locust Lake include canoes, rowboats, kayaks and pedal boats. Motorboats are permitted on both lakes but a current registration is required.
For newcomers, Tuscarora offers a basics of kayaking class. Tracey said the class is held every weekend and it always fills up.
"It's a popular program," Tracey said.
Swimming at the beaches is also open until mid-September. However, the dog days of summer have had less bite in August and the cooler temperatures have had an effect on beachgoers.
Louis Williams, manager at Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks, said mild temperatures have kept the waters pretty calm without swimmers lately, especially during the week.
"Generally during the end of summer we have pretty good weekends. It depends on the weather, of course," Williams said.
Tracey has also seen a difference in park activity with the cooler weather. Earlier this month, she said only about 30 people were out enjoying the day.
"When it cools it tends to keep them away," Tracey said.
Although, if the normal trend holds up, the parks will still have plenty of swimmers and visitors before summer's end.
"August is usually a popular month," Williams said.
For families looking for a weekend getaway, Locust Lake is one of the top camping destinations in Schuylkill County with 282 sites. The sites are designated for tent or trailer camping and include parking, picnic tables, fire rings and modern conveniences.
Tracey said a popular attraction this year is the first-time camper program. Run by the Pennsylvania State Parks and outdoor retailer Gander Mountain, the program offers rookie campers the opportunity to learn and experience camping life over a weekend. The program costs $20 and provides campers with essential gear such as a tent, sleeping pads, flashlight and camp stove. Volunteers are on hand to help with set up.
Tracey said Locust Lake has hosted the program for a few years and it fills up every weekend.
"I guess it's just word-of-mouth. You can't beat it for $20," Tracey said.
Although peak bird watching season is spring, Tracey said naturalists visit the parks year-round to catch a glimpse of Pennsylvania's abundant wildlife. A big draw this year is the bald eagles at Locust Lake. Williams said seeing an eagle at the park is not rare, but it is always a treat.
"It's a normal occurrence you feel pleasure in taking part of," Williams said.
Tracey said programs are scheduled in the upcoming weeks to pull more people into the parks. The Locust Lake amphitheater hosts special presentations on Saturday nights through Labor Day. Previous presentations included a muzzle loading demonstration and a bog turtle program. On Labor Day, Peggy Hentz from Red Creek Wildlife Center, Schuylkill Haven, will host a presentation about animals.
Tracey said the big days for her during the year are holidays including Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, on Sept. 2. Many people take advantage of their day free from work.
The parks also offer other activities families can do together. Each park is home to assorted trails for a day of hiking. There are also areas for a picnic and to cast rods for a day of fishing.
With the parks only a few miles apart, the options are plentiful for a family looking to create one last summer memory.
"Hopefully, everyone will be scrambling to get vacations in," Tracey said.
To learn more about Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.