The Pond & Fishing
Our 3-acre pond is stocked with Bluegill, crappie, catfish and Largemouth Bass. All fish are acceptable to keep, except for bass, which are catch and release. We’re seeing 6 to 8 lb. bass being caught on a fairly regular basis.
We supply poles and lures if needed. If you are a novice, we will gladly help get you set up.
The Pond & Fishing
Our 3-acre pond is stocked with Bluegill, crappie, catfish and Largemouth Bass. All fish are acceptable to keep, except for bass, which are catch and release. We’re seeing 6 to 8 lb. bass being caught on a fairly regular basis.
We supply poles and lures if needed. If you are a novice, we will gladly help get you set up. Adults and/or children accompanied by an adult may fish from the paddle boat, which is a wonderful experience.
If you want to laze away the afternoon on the pond, the paddle boat is a great way to do that. Grab a book, sunglasses, and paddle out the middle of the pond and sit back relax to the sounds of nature and the beauty of reflections on the water.
Butterfly Walk
We are a registered Monarch Waystation. We started the Butterfly walk in 2015 by mowing a path thru natural grasses and a smattering of milkweed. We planted Black-eyed Susans and Sedum. Last year an addition of a bench to sit and observe and more milkweed was planted along with Echinacea This year we have added a walkway door made from recycled doors and wood pieces as the entrance way. The butterfly garden is at the front of our Apiary, so the Bees and Butterflies both benefit from the naturalization of flowers. We invite you to bring your camera and sit and relax.Monarchs, who have declined by more than 80 percent over the past two decades, are currently being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but a final decision isn’t expected until June 2019. In the meantime, their advocates have been working on measures that could help them survive, including increased calls for planting milkweed.
Monarchs face a number of threats and challenges along their epic migration, but one of the biggest threats they face today is a loss of milkweed. It’s the only plant that monarchs lay eggs on and the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat.
Other threats to monarchs range from predators and disease to habitat loss, pesticide use, and severe weather.
Bird Watching
All of these birds are in the area during the summer except for the Northern waterthrush, a migrant. This is a small, sparrow-sized brownish bird with stripes on its cream-colored breast and a cream-colored stripe over its eye. It is hanging out around your pond and has a loud, short song.
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Brown Thrasher
Northern Waterthrush
Yellow Warbler
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Yellow-breasted Chat
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow
Child’s Play
We have a playground situated not far from the Lodge. This is a great place for kids to play and be able to watch the animals.
Child’s Play
We have a playground situated not far from the Lodge. This is a great place for kids to play and be able to watch the animals. We have a picnic bench located next to the playground so those young at heart can sit with a cup of coffee or iced tea and enjoy the sounds of laughter from the playground. There is a Bags game, bikes and badminton net if you would like to add some activities your day.
A short walk from the Lodge and the Retreat Cabin you’ll find our Tire Playland, where there’s a good chance of seeing deer hanging out.
Hiking & Biking
We have 22 acres to leisurely stroll around on and we are surrounded by 100″s of acres of Army Corp of Engineer ground to Hike on. We are within a few minutes of Camp Camfield which offers some awesome Mountain Bike Trails. For those that wish to stay close, we have bikes available for use.
Mountain Biking Trails (Resource 1)
Mountain Biking Trails (Resource 2)
Hiking Trails
Buggy Rides
A great way to explore the country side. Children and adults alike will enjoy the view seen at a leisurely horse-drawn pace.
Take a tour of an Amish goat farm, sample goat milk, goat yogurt and goat cheese.