A Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Basic Boating Course instructed by PFBC personnel will be held at Beltzville State Park, Sunday May 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge for the course, but participants must preregister by calling the park at 610-377-0045.

Designed to supply boaters with practical information so they can make better informed decisions on the water, Basic Boating Course instructors will provide students with information via a classroom setting to help them reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Students who successfully complete the course may apply for a $10 Boating Safety Education Certificate, which is required of all operators of personal watercraft or anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, who operate a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower.More information about this course or boating safety can be found by visiting the PFBC website at

www.fishandboat.com.*******Today's Earth Day activities at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, features a program by Baywings Falconry featuring five live raptors from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with controlled-flight demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Falconers from Baywings are trained educators who will be on hand throughout the day to chat with visitors and share information about each species, the special adaptations of raptors and the methods involved in training their birds."Educators at Baywings Falconry are great because they use their birds to captivate visitors and that leaves a ready audience who wants to learn more," Hawk Mountain director of education Erin Brown said. "It's a great strategy to share our conservation mission, to build interest in raptors, and it's a guaranteed fun way for visitors to celebrate Earth Day."For info call Hawk Mountain Sanctuary at (610) 756-6961 or access the website at

www.hawkmountain.org.*******Sunday's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," hosted by Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz, at 7 a.m. on 1410-AM WLSH, at 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5-FM and on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking the link to the program, features Turkey guide and call maker Shawn Kotchey of Mill Creek Valley Game Calls.*******"Paddle Against Cancer," to benefit Team Mason K, a 14-year-old boy who is one of only four persons in the United States diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called at/rt, will be held Saturday, May 24, at Island Park, Schuylkill Haven, at 8 a.m., for kayaks and canoes and proceed to the Landingville Dam, where return transportation is available. For information call Roger Krause 570-449-9002 or Joie Beekley at 570-570-449-1992.*******A 30-target, 3-D hunting course is open daily from dawn to dusk, except Sundays from 1-4 p.m. for trap, at Bear's Head Archery, located off Exit 134, I-81, Delano. For information call the club at 570-467-0331.*******Pre-registration is open for the "Family Fun Fishing Event," Sunday, May 4, through Monday, Sept. 1, at Sweet Arrow Lake, Pine Grove. Tagged fish may be redeemed through Monday, Sept. 1. For entry forms access Sweet Arrow Lake County Park website at

www.sweetarrowlakepark.com or call Craig Morgan at 570-739-2627. Registration the opening day may be done at the clubhouse.*******Registration is underway for Schuylkill County Youth Field Day, Saturday, May 17, beginning 8 a.m., at Friedensburg Fish and Game. Youth between the ages of 10-15, regardless of their residence and who must be accompanied by an adult, can participate in the event that will introduce or refine a variety of outdoor skills.Sponsored by the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association and Schuylkill Conservation District with the cooperation of various state and local conservation agencies, the day-long event is free and open to both boys and girls. Qualified instructors will teach activities such as fishing, canoeing, trap shooting, archery, muzzleloader shooting, air rifle, forestry and trapping with participation in any event being voluntary.Lunch and refreshments are provided to participants and their adult chaperons, and this year's each child will receive a baseball-style cap courtesy of Cabela's Hamburg. For required preregistration and information contact "Porcupine Pat" McKinney at 570-622-4124, ext. 113, or by email:

porcupinepat@yahoo.com*******Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets Thursday, May 1, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at West Penn Rod and Gun Club, 1047 Clamtown Road, Tamaqua. For information, call Jeff Thomas at 570-622-6179, Jeff Post at 570-366-7783 or Mike Corbin at 570-929-1622.