About Our Programs & Events

Intro to Kayaking

 These classes are offered throughout the summer at both Lake Higgins Watershed Park and Lake Brandt Watershed Park. Topics covered include kayak equipment, safety, car topping, terminology, entering and exiting the kayak, controlling the kayak, strokes, and much more. The classes are designed to help you feel comfortable while kayaking, and give you an opportunity to ask questions about the sport. All equipment is provided and class space is limited to seven participants.

Participants must be 13 years and older, and ages 13-15 must be accompanied by a parent. The fee for the class is $25 per person and payment must be made to reserve a spot. This is a one-day class and it runs from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Due to increasing interest in kayaking, we encourage you to contact Lake Brandt Watershed Park at 336-373-3741 or Lake Higgins Watershed Park at 336-373-3739 to check availability.
Kayaks on Lake Brandt 

Intro to Archery

Intro to Archery offers fun for the entire family. This class will teach you the basics of archery, such as technique, parts of the bow, parts of the arrow, safety, shot placement, and consistency. The class is held at Lake Townsend Watershed Park from 6-8 pm on the designated nights listed on the 2010 Event Schedule. The fee for this class is $12 per person and classes are limited to the first 12 participants. Anyone younger than 12 years of age must be accompanied by a parent. For more information, call Lake Higgins Watershed Park at 336-373-3739.

Hunter Safety

Hunter safety is an important class for people who are interested in taking up the sport. The Watershed Parks offer several of these classes throughout the year. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: No person, regardless of age, may procure a hunting license in this state without first producing a certificate of competency showing completion of a hunter safety course or a hunting license issued prior to July 1 1991, or a signed statement (shown on the license) that he or she had such a license.

This hunter safety course requires a minimum of 70 on the written exam and participants must also meet the "hands-on" minimum requirements.

For more information on when the classes are offered at the Watershed Parks, call Lake Townsend Watershed Park at 336-373-3694

Beginning Sailing

A sailing class is offered to both adults and children and is held at Lake Townsend Watershed Park. The sailing classes are facilitated by Lake Townsend Yacht Club members, not the park staff. Some of the things you will learn in these class are: how to rig the boat, parts of a sail boat, techniques of sailing, safety, capsizing, and much more. For more information, visit Lake Townsend Yacht Club or call Lake Townsend Watershed Park at 336-373-3694.

National Fishing Week

During the summer, one of the most popular children's event we hold is National Fishing Week Kid's Tournament for ages 4-13. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission provides a lifetime fishing license to award to a winner and other sponsors provide door prizes for each participant. There is no cost for this event, but everyone interested will be entered into a lottery drawing and the first 40 drawn will be in the tournament. The tournament takes place at Lake Higgins Watershed Park from 10-11:30 am. Anyone interested in signing up needs to contact Lake Higgins Watershed Park at 336-373-3739 at the beginning of spring.

For additional information, call Lake Higgins Watershed Park at 336-373-3739.

Outdoor Skills Camp

The Outdoor Skills Camp is a great opportunity for children ages 9-15 to spend a week at the lakes learning things like setting up a campsite, mountain biking, fishing, protecting the environment, kayaking, safety rules on the lake, navigation on a trail, and much more. The camp is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm daily, and the fee is $125. Participants will have a cookout one day, go to the pool, and ride on a pontoon boat. They will play volleyball, kickball, dodge ball, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, tag football, and many other activities throughout the week. This camp is perfect for children who love the outdoors, as well as those who would like to learn more about what they can do outdoors. Special guests during the week will teach children survival tips, different animal and snake species, and what to carry when hiking.

Annual Flying Frog Adventure Race

The Annual Flying Frog is quickly becoming a very popular event, not only in the area, but across the state. The race takes place every September and fills up quick so do not delay registering. In this race, each competitor and team will be challenged physically as well as mentally. The race consists of canoeing for the teams, kayaking for  individuals, a run, and mountain biking on a variety of trails. Beware...you never know what obstacles you will run into along the way. Anyone who enjoys a challenge and likes to compete will love this race. The race course will not be revealed to participants until the day of the race. Prizes are awarded to the top three winners in each category.

For more information, visit Flying Frog Adventure Race's website or contact Sue Davis at 336-373-3742 or Lake Brandt Watershed Park at 336-373-3741.