Orcas Rec July workshops

Orcas Rec has several outings for the month of July that are open to both kids and adults.

On Thursday, July 2, from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m., join Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust for a walk on Turtleback Mountain. Use your eyes and ears to discover what lives on this amazing property. Walking shoes, sunscreen and a bottle of water are essential; binoculars and a camera would be an added advantage. Meet at the South Side Parking Lot on Wild Rose Lane off of Deer Harbor Road. Call 376-5339 for directions. Turtleback Mountain Preserve is owned and managed by the San Juan County Land Bank (www.sjclandbank.org). This walk is in collaboration with the Orcas Island Recreation Program and San Juan Nature Institute. The cost is $15.

Ryan Drum, resident of Waldron Island, will lead a walk on July 5 from 9 to 12:30 p.m. to learn about the many beneficial uses of seaweed. The walk will go north from Camp Orkila on a beautiful beach at the intertidal zone on low tide to discover the many uses and benefits of seaweed, including medicinal, nutrition, how to harvest and preserve, therapeutic, and historical uses. Ryan is a phycologist by training, seaweed-focused. He has been a practicing medical herbalist for over 30 years and eats wild plants daily in his diet. Good footwear is necessary, as it is slippery; no dogs or bare feet. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the beach and to add to the seaweed that will be sampled. Adults and children are welcome. The walk is for ages nine to adult. Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $25. Meet at Camp Orkila Parking Lot at 8:45 a.m. to start walking at 9 a.m.

High school varsity girls basketball coach Terry Moran-Hodge and players from the girls varsity squad will lead a basketball camp from July 6 to 8 p.m. (3 to 5 p.m.) at the high school gym for girls entering grades 5-9. There will be individual and group instruction. Girls will learn how to play Viking style basketball. Scrimmaging will be separated into two age groups. This camp is for players who would like to play on middle school, junior varsity, and varsity teams as will as girls who do not plan to play on a team and would like to learn skills and have fun. This is an opportunity to learn from varsity players and meet the coach. All levels of players are welcome. The cost of the camp is $45 and includes a camp t-shirt. Pre-registration is encouraged, although girls may register on the day of the camp. Funds generated will go towards the girls basketball program. Full and partial scholarships are available by calling the Orcas Rec. Program office (376-5339). Registration forms are available the public library, online at www.orcasrec.org, and at the Rec. Program office in the Senior Center.

Come get busy with the bees, learn about medicinal properties of honey and the fascinating social life of bees at La Campesina Project with Rhonda Barbieri during “Beekeeping and Honey Production,” on July 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. Open to all ages, $20.

Call the Orcas Island Recreation Program at 376-5339 to register for any of the above classes.

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