PA Dept of Agriculture Announces Reading Ranger Program Grey Towers National Historic Site is proudly offering a free Reading Ranger Program for the summer of 2024. This is the second year that the reading program is taking place on the grounds. This program will include read-aloud stories focusing on environmentalism and conservation read by a Forest Service Ranger on Monday mornings. The readings will be followed by a craft activity, hike, or scavenger hunt. Parents are required to remain with children during this program. The Reading Ranger Program will be held at the lower pavilion, located at the lower parking lot of Grey Towers from 10:00am to 11:00am. The schedule is as follows for children ages 4 to 13: June 10, 2024, Smokey’s Story: with Rudy Wendelin Exhibit Tour June 17, 2023, Kids Making a Difference in Their Communities June24, 2024, Noticing the World Around You July 01, 2024, Fire and Fireworks Safety July 8, 2024, Fire Management and Fire Towers: with hike to the fire tower July 15, 2024, Conservation and Community: learning about Gifford Pinchot July 22, 2024, Trees at Grey Towers: tree identification and trail hike July 29, 2024, Invasive Species Management: identification, Discovery Trail log August 05, 2024, 2024 Smokey 80th Birthday: preparation for celebration, birthday card August 12, 2024, Box Turtle at Long Pond: create your own turtle story Grey Towers National Historic Site was donated to the US Forest Service by the Pinchot family in 1963. It is the former home of Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the Forest Service and Cornelia Pinchot, suffragette and advocate for children’s rights and education. Public programs such as the Reading Ranger program enable the US Forest Service to continue the Pinchot legacy and the tradition of inviting the community to enjoy our natural resources at this historic site. The US Forest Service was able to expand the Reading Ranger Program for 2024 with the Every Kid Outdoors grant to help encourage fourth grade students to appreciate and visit public lands. An RSVP is not necessary. For more information please visit www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers , www.facebook.com/GreyTowersNHS or www.twitter.com/GreytowersNHS.