On Saturday, August 18, we have two great opportunities for archers at all levels to come out and show their skills! For those who have never even picked up a bow and arrow, stop by Kempsville Recreation Center between 1 and 4 pm for our free Archery Demo Day. In this hands-on open house, we'll provide all the equipment and instruction on how to aim and shoot! Open to ages 6 & up, but participants under age 16 must have a parent present. No registration needed - just stop in and step up!

For experienced archers who can already shoot a bow and arrow, it's time to test your skills at our Archery Games. From 10 am to noon, archers will compete against one another in various games of skill. Could you be the next Katniss Everdeen? Advanced registration is required. Open to ages 10 & up and all participants must be proficient in range rules, whistle commands and handling of equipment. Cost is $18. Register online or in person at any recreation center.

You may have noticed the recent abundance of turtles, either in the local waterways, crossing the road, or even in your yard. All turtles must come to land to lay their eggs and the summer months are the best time to do it. Turtles pick a spot on land, dig a hole, lay their eggs and then cover them up and head out. You may have come across a turtle nest and not even realized it. Once the eggs are laid, it can take up to two or three months for them to hatch.

Did you know the temperature of the ground determines whether the turtle babies (hatchlings) are male or female? In places where the nest is warm, the resulting hatchlings will be female. Where the nests are cool, they will be male. Typically, a nest contains warm and cool areas, so each nest can produce males and females. However, if a turtle nests late in the season, when the weather starts to cool down, then the entire nest can be all males. If the turtle nests in the height of a warm summer, the entire nest might be female.  

If you happen to be so lucky to come across a turtle laying eggs, just step back and trust their instincts. The turtles know what they're doing. They may have been laying eggs longer than you've been alive, as some turtles can live to be over 100 years old!

Monday, July 30 | 6 - 7:30 pm | Baylake United Methodist Church, 4300 Shore Drive
 

This Open House will provide an opportunity for you to discuss with staff the master planning ideas that have been developed with community stakeholders and provide feedback on the objectives for this natural public area.

Located just west of the Lesner Bridge and south of the Chesapeake Bay, Pleasure House Point is 118 acres of water, tidal marsh, sandy shores and maritime forest. The shallow water estuarine environment of the property provides habitat for the iconic Chesapeake Bay blue crab and the Lynnhaven oyster. This high-profile property was once being considered for a large waterfront development, but with the help of the Trust for Public Land, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the surrounding community, the City has recovered one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River for generations to come.