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Centre Regional Recreation Authority
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee
Nature Center Development Retreat
MEETING SUMMARY
Wed., 20 Feb 08, 3:00 PM at the Centre Furnace Mansion
1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL:
Advisory Committee Members (13 of 16 members): Jennifer Shuey, Dr. Carolyn Mahan, MJ
Kitt,Jackie Melander, Mary Alice Graetzer, Holly Fritchman, Don Epp, Robert Ayer, Mark McLaughlin,
Diane Kerly, Dr. Rick Marboe, Don Hamer, Alan Sam.
Centre Regional Recreation Authority Members (4 of 6 members): Sue Mascolo, Roy Harpster, Kathy D. Matason (also serves as the Authority's liaison to the Adv. Committee), Chris Hurley.
Centre Region Parks & Recreation Staff: Ron Woodhead, Molly Hetrick, Beth Lee, Jennifer Watts-Mattise, Phil
Gardner, Robin Bang (Intern).
2. WELCOME
Mark McLaughlin and Molly Hetrick welcomed participants and explained the retreat format. Participants
were encouraged to write responses on index cards and share answers verbally in the group discussion.
3. QUESTION #1: Considering the mission of the nature center and the seasonal nature of the facility,
what additional programs can be offered to meet community needs between now and when the Spring
Creek Education Building is completed?
• Wellness programs: Wellness activities for teachers at Inservice Days, partner with the State College
Borough Wellness Committee or Health Matters at Penn State, encourage people to re-connect with
nature, communicate with Human Resources offices to provide Wellness Walks to employees.
• “Vertical Programs” that encourage members through the COG / CRPR / MMNC system to work
together. (Ex: COG General Forum members working with Pre-schoolers at MMNC or Senior Citizens
working with kids during events).
• Adult Education Programs: increase the number of programs offered with CALL/OLLIE each year; offer
specific topic educational programs such as “Tree Walks for Adults”; offer 3-4 hour programs for adults (experts / presenters needed for topics staff are not skilled in).
• Create program materials for visitors: Self-guided walk brochures, Family Scavenger Hunts, Seasonal
visitor guides to the marsh, Scavenger Hunt for kids to take with them (find examples of trees and plants
elsewhere). These items would be available to visitors all the time for use on the boardwalk.
• Encourage visitors from outside the area to visit MMNC while in town for PSU summer camps or
football or baseball games. Promotion through PSU Summer Camp admission program or Central PA
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
• PSU Professional Development School: coordinate with one-year intern students who are learning
inquiry-based education to provide programs and teachers to attend programs/workshops.
• Fishing Programs: for adults also, skill based activities, connect MMNC to Spring Creek Park with
activities.
• Scout Programs: (note: started in Fall 2007, new programs beginning Summer 2008, plus a partnership with Girl Scouts
in the Heart of Central PA to offer day trips for all their scouts.)
• Outdoor Skills programs, such as using a GPS device, Orienteering, Backpacking skills, Wilderness
Survival, etc. (In the past, these programs have been offered with PSU Adventure Recreation. A potential new partner
for programs and equipment is Stone Mountain Adventures and Appalachian Ski & Outdoors).
• Camps: Offer expanded theme camps, coordinate CRPR Summer Camps to feature MMNC as a theme
week, consider Photography camp and collage contest.
• SCASD Curriculum Partnerships: Make connections with 4th Grade Pennsylvania Unit and 5th Grade
Story of America Unit. Also, provide package trip with Centre Furnace Mansion.
• Leave No Trace Programs: Public programs, signage in kiosks, Scout Programs. (Note: MMNC is currently
a partner with Leave No Trace and previously held a LNT program with Mt Nittany Conservancy.)
• Encourage non-environmental groups to rent the space, through newsletters, email lists, newsletters,
calendars.
• Encourage environmental groups to use the space. (Ex: Archeology clubs, Fishing groups, Geology
classes, etc).
• Farmers Markets: hold at MMNC or create a display about MMNC for Farmers Markets. (Note: Farmers
Market vendors attend Earth Day Birthday Celebration with demonstrations and goods.)
• Music & Dance Venues: expand the “Music Nights at the Marsh” program, encourage more musical
groups to use the site, cooperate with Centre Squares for square dancing.
• Provide programs with partner groups: Archaeology excavation for families, Fly-Fishing for Adults,
Historical programs & walks, Art programs in the marsh.
• Hunter or Wilderness Safety Programs: a great way to use the space and encourage people to be involved
in outdoor activities.
• Create a Regional Greenbelt that connects parks, town, MMNC, bike paths, Mount Nittany and other
attractions, Spring Creek Canyon, etc.
4. QUESTION #2: Considering we want MMNC to be a Regional Nature Center, how can we increase
our program audience enrollment and draw audiences (and operational revenue) from beyond the
Region?
• Paths to connect MMNC to other local venues: Centre Furnace Mansion, Spikes Stadium, Hospital.
• Encourage visitors to PSU and the Hospital to visit the nature center. (Ex: Encourage tailgate families
to walk to MMNC during games, provide info for families visiting patients at the Hospital to walk to
MMNC, provide activities during Fourth of July and Arts Fest weekends, encourage church groups to
visit and hold activities on site.)
• Provide programs in schools during winter months. (A great follow up or pre-view a MMNC field trip!)
• Weekend Packages: partner with Bed & Breakfasts / Hotels to provide weekend packages, ask them to
promote MMNC to visitors, provide information to local hotels, encourage Senior Centers to travel to
MMNC, submit CPCVB grant with Centre County Historical Society to develop weekend packages.
• Group Programs: provide full day options for out of town visitors and groups would make it more worth
the travel costs and time.
• School Program / Parent Packages: Send visiting school children home with a letter to invite parents and
families to come back together for an event or activity (Birds & Bagels or upcoming Event), hold special
parents day, etc.
• Yoga classes and spa activities: potential partner is Center for Well-Being in Lemont and Veronica’s
Spa, offer holistic programs such as Homeopathy or Herbal Remedies.
• Meet at the nature center for trips to local parks, such as Bear Meadow and Scotia Range. (Note: These
were offered in 2006 with van transportation in partnership with PSU Adventure Recreation Program
but had low enrollment and were cancelled).
• DVD to advertise the center and services offered to schools; also provide pre & post lessons.
• Curricular Conference with local and other school districts and nature center.
• After-school programs in cooperation with school district after-school programs. (Note: Currently
offered after-school programs at MMNC traditionally have low attendance. Partnering with the school
to provide transportation or to bring their students to MMNC for a program is a next step.)
• Open Houses: focused on Archaeology of Centre Region or other similar public events, including public
speakers; host a forum on environmental issues; educational program on PA Bank Barns.
• Rentals: Promote the site for reunions, weddings, and receptions.
• More educational signage is needed and quality displays in the barn. (High School students might be
able to design these).
5. QUESTION #3: To accommodate additional programs and larger regional audiences, how can we
recruit and retain quality volunteers and staff? (Did not answer as a group, but ideas were submitted
on index cards)
• Docents: Volunteers on a set schedule who are available to answer questions and provide information
to the public. (A great next step before staff is available to provide these duties, however a staff person would need to
devote a great deal of time to organizing this.)
• RPTM 300 hour Volunteers: on site to answer questions and be there is visitors stop in. Also to provide
tours and hikes, plus birthday parties. (MMNC currently uses 300 hour students for camps and as
interns.)
6. Suggestions for a future retreat (submitted via index card)
• Longer time frame
• Break into smaller groups to brainstorm
• Hold retreats annually or bi-annually
A very special thank you to the Centre County Historical Society for hosting the retreat!
7. ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting: Wed, 19 Mar 08, 4 PM at the COG Building
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