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ACTIVITIES and PROGRAMS at DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Campfire Talks & Sierra Speaker Series Presentations (Saturday Evenings)
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Amphitheater (Campfire Center) Location: Campground Map - link
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Donner Lake Paddling Guided Tours -
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Click for: description, schedule, and registration
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JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS
SATURDAYS. 1:00-3:00PM, IN THE VSITOR CENTER
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In-person Field Trips -
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Click for: description, schedule, and registration link
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PORTS Virtual Programs -
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Click for: description, schedule, and registration link
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CAMPFIRE TALKS and SIERRA SPEAKERS SERIES PRESENTATIONS
Campfire Programs are held in the campground Amphitheater (Campfire Center) - Located south of Ridge Campground (Campground Map - link) Campfire Programs are held 8:00pm-9:00pm. Remember to bring a flashlight or headlamp and light sweater or jacket. FREE!
Sierra Speakers Series held in the Visitor Center Main Theater. Third Saturday of the month, doors open at 5:00pm and the presentation follows at 5:30pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No registration required.
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Saturday Evening Program Descriptions:
August 18 - Sierra Speakers Series – 5:00-6:30:00PM: What is Cultural Burning? What's the relationship between Fire-Water-Land-Cultural Resources? What are the differences between Agency Prescribed Fire and Indigenous Cultural Burning? Cultural Fire creates community, self-healing, a sense of belonging, and a re-connectiveness to the land. Hear the Honorable Ron W. Goode, Tribal Chairman of the North Fork Mono Tribe, shares his cultural burning experiences.
Visitor Center MainTheater
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August 23 - Campfire Program - 8:00-9:00pm: “All About the Black Bear”. Join naturalist Brian Buttazoni as he delves into the wonders of the area’s largest mammal, the American Black Bear. Through pictures and stories Brian will enlighten his audience about this powerful, mischievous, tree climbing, food driven, and often misunderstood neighbor of the woods.
Campground Amphitheater
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August 30 - Campfire Program - 8:00-9:00pm: “Through Tamsen’s Eyes— the Story of the Donner Party”Though Tamsen Donner’s journals were never found, enough has been written about Tamsen to inspire a solo show about this extraordinary woman. Join Leslie Scatchard in her portrayal of the teacher, botanist, and pioneer, Tamsen Donner.
Campground Amphitheater
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HISTORICAL TOURS
*These tours are offered Thursday-Sunday at 11:00AM and 1:00PM. Meet at the Visitor Center (12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161).
Join a compelling guided tour (60-minute, 1/2 mile) led by a local historian expert to learn about the the arduous overland journeys of California emigrants (including The Donner Party of 1846), indigenous presence (Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California), and wildlife diversity in the area. Drop in for this no-cost and family-friendly guided hike.
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DONNER LAKE PADDLING TOURS
Explore Donner Lake on a raft led by a California State Parks guide!
Welcome to all ages and we encourage youth participants to join with a parent/guardian. We provide paddling instruction, safety talk, and life jacket fitting before launching our two 14-foot rafts into the lagoon for a one-hour lake exploration (3/4 mi). Each raft holds 6-7 participants plus one guide who will discuss wildlife diversity and the rich cultural history of the area. You will have an opportunity to jump into the lake if you'd like!
Participants stay relatively dry throughout the tour, but clothes and shoes have the potential to get wet. This is a family friendly program with no-cost.
Full description, schedule, and registration
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PORTS Virtual Programs
PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) Program is a FREE distance learning program with California State Parks!
PORTS uses the power of videoconferencing to support K-12 educators in designing deep and meaningful learning experiences in virtual and in-person classrooms.
Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains: Explore the region where the famous Donner Party spent the tragic winter of 1846 with a California State Park Interpreter. We will highlight the California emigrant experience and other important natural and cultural features of Donner Memorial State Park.
PORTS Home Learning Program - Join our California State Parks Interpretive Specialist to learn about the Donner Party of 1846 in this free, live public broadcast.
PORTS On Demand - Schedule an interactive virtual presentation with your class or group with a California State Parks Interpreter to learn about the Donner Party of 1846.
Educational Resources
Park Interpretive Content and Historic References - Donner Docent website