The Margret and H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley begins its third annual Tecumseh Overnights program with its first weekend offering on July 11, 2009. There are two additional public overnights scheduled for August 15, 2009 and August 29, 2009. Tecumseh Overnights is a place-based, environmental education program that guides small groups up Mount Tecumseh in Waterville Valley to investigate mountain ecology and climate, and to star gaze under Waterville Valley's dark skies. Trips leave from the Curious George Cottage in Waterville Valley on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. returning no later than noon the following day.

The trip begins with a hike up Mount Tecumseh. Guests will loop over Mount Tecumseh, hiking up the Mount Tecumseh and Sosman trails and descending via a gravel road the following morning. The loop hike provides many opportunities for magnificent mountain views and for spotting the White Mountain National Forest's larger fauna, such as moose and bear.

Guests will also become citizen scientists observing and recording the flowering and fruiting of selected plant species along the trail while learning about the unique ecology of both a northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest. Data collected will become part of a long-term research effort to help natural resource managers understand the influence of climate change on vegetation of the northeastern forest.
Saturday evening, guests relax in the comfortable accommodations of the Schwendi Hutte located on the lower summit of Mount Tecumseh.  The Rey Center will provide guests with a "family-style" meal and evening programs that complement earlier learning about the ecology of the region and that explore the summer night sky's stars and constellations. Guest may also relax with games, conversation, or simply soaking in the remarkable scenery from the Hutte's deck overlooking Waterville Valley and the Sandwich Wilderness.

On Sunday morning, after a hearty breakfast, guests will hike a different route down the mountain providing the best chance of wildlife sightings, expansive mountain views, and the prospect of picking wild berries.

Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children's book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and ardent environmental stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys' legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. Tecumseh Overnights is administered under an outfitter/guide permit through the White Mountain National Forest and generously supported by Booth Creek Holdings, Inc.

Program participation fees are: $40 per member, $55 per non-member; $75 per member couple, $105 per non-member couple; $140 per family of 4 members, and $200 per family of 4 non-members. Tecumseh Overnights is also available to organized groups such as camps or scout groups at a discounted group rate; contact the Rey Center for details. To register for this program or for more information please contact the Margret and H.A. Rey Center by calling 603-236-3308 or visiting http://www.ReyCenter.org.