Maple Sugaring
Starting in late winter when the days grow warmer and the nights remain chilly, the fluctuation in temperatures sends sap running in the maple trees. And, here in Adams County, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve continues the tradition of teaching the craft of making maple syrup.
Every year throughout February and early March, Strawberry Hill provides the only hands-on demonstration of the tapping and the boiling process to school classes, home schools, organized groups, and Boy and Girl Scout troops. Programs are also open to the public starting late February, beginning with pancake breakfasts on Saturdays at the Fellowship Baptist Church of Fairfield.
Come out and enjoy a hands-on experience suitable for all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to experience all facets of maple sugaring- selecting a tree, drilling into it, tapping, collecting sap and finally tasting freshly cooked syrup right from the fire! The program also includes a sing-along and a fun-filled taste test in which you will sample a variety of syrups.
2010 Maple Sugaring Programs @ Strawberry Hill
Saturday (2/27): 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30
Saturday (2/27): Pancake Breakfast 7:30am-11:30*
Fellowship Baptist Church - 110 Mt Hope Rd
Sunday (2/28): 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30
Saturday (3/6): 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30
Saturday (3/6): Pancake Breakfast 7:30am-11:30*
Fellowship Baptist Church - 110 Mt Hope Rd
Sunday (3/7): 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30
2010 Maple Sugaring Program @ Gettysburg Rec. Park
Saturday (3/13): 9:30, 11:30, 1:30 & 3:30
Pancake Breakfast 8am-11:30*
Program Fees and Reservations:
Members - $6/adult; $4/child
Non-Members - $8/adult; $5/child
* Pancake Breakfasts - Adults - $6; Children 3-12 - $3; Under 3 FREE
Volunteers Needed for Maple Sugaring Programs
History
• According to a Native American legend maple syrup was discovered when an angry chief threw his tomahawk at a maple tree. Sap began to flow out of the gash made by his tomahawk. Women in his community found that when the sap was cooked it made a delicious marinade.
• Later, when European settlers came to America, they learned the process of collecting and making maple syrup from the Native Americans.
• The settlers used maple syrup as a sweetener because sugar was so difficult to obtain. It was also traded for other supplies.
• The process of collecting and making maple syrup has changed over the years. Now a tap is placed into a hole that has been drilled into a maple tree. Modern day farmers use pumps to get the sap out of the tree and increase production.
The Trees
• Any tree in the maple family will produce maple water which is then boiled down to make syrup.
• The Sugar Maple (Acer saccarum) only grows in North America. Sugar Maple is a favorite in syrup making because of the amount of maple water produced and the actual sugar content.
• The most common maples in our area are the Red, Silver and Norway Maples.
Upcoming Events
| Adult Naturalist Class - Pond & Stream Studies Thu Sep 09 @06:30PM - 08:00PM |
| Intermediate Birding Clinic - Early Fall Migration Sat Sep 11 @07:30AM - 09:00AM |
| Second Sunday @ Strawberry Hill Sun Sep 12 @02:00PM - 03:30PM |
| Auction Dinner Committee Meeting Mon Sep 13 @06:00PM - 07:00PM |
| Hike with a Pet and a Vet Thu Sep 16 @06:00PM - 07:30PM |
| Members Picnic Sat Sep 18 @02:00PM - 05:30PM |
| Farewell to Summer Hike Thu Sep 23 @06:30PM - 08:00PM |
| Auction Dinner Committee Meeting Mon Sep 27 @06:00PM - 07:00PM |
| First Friday Auction Dinner Preview @ Community Benefits Real Estate Fri Oct 01 @06:00PM - 08:00PM |
| Auction Dinner Committee Meeting Mon Oct 04 @06:00PM - 07:00PM |