Parkman Twp – An abundance of shooting stars to wish upon and a full moon will greet those who celebrate the annual Perseid meteor showers by tenting at a Geauga Park District program scheduled for the peak display night.
The Music & Meteors Campout will be held on Friday, August 12 – 8:15 p.m. through Saturday, August 13 – 9 a.m. at Chickagami Park, 17957 Tavern Road, Parkman Township.
After setting up tents, plan to gather around the campfire for songs and stories and join a naturalist for a twilight hike. As it grows darker, grab your binoculars for enhanced viewing of the full moon, star clusters, planets and other amazing night sky features while watching for fleeting glimpses of streaking meteors. Moon lore, plus myths and legends of the summer constellations, continue past midnight, when viewing of the Perseid meteor shower improves. A whisper of wind in the pines and cricket song add to the magic of this mid-August outing.
Registration is required at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516. Camping costs $5 for Geauga residents and $8 for out-of-county folks. Registration includes a pancake breakfast served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday. This program is best for those school-aged and up.
Campers are encouraged to set up their tents and sleeping bags before dark, as early as 8:15 p.m., with organized activities beginning at 9 p.m. In addition to tenting and personal gear, you may also want to bring a blanket or reclining chair, binoculars, flashlight and personal snacks to make your time most enjoyable.
Music, stories and alternative activities will simply move into a shelter if it rains or cloudy conditions prohibit sky viewing. (Refunds will only be issued if severe weather warnings force cancellation.)
