Join us for another mapling workshop led by Jethro Heiko, founder of Oak Lane Maple and Community Engagement Coordinator for Stockton University’s USDA Maple Grant. Jethro will share his sweet story of success tapping many of our area’s trees to turn the sap into syrup. Meet at Woodford Mansion (plenty of parking in the rear driveway), and start with a short hike to some nearby sugar trees to learn about the ecological considerations and the sap tapping process. Then you’ll learn all about the boiling and refining process. The workshop ends on a tasty note with samples of the delicious varieties of locally produced syrup made by Oak Lane Maple.  

TICKET PRICES:
$10 – Woodford Workshop ONLY
$30 – Grade A Amber: Workshop & VIP Experience (2/19 visit to sugar shack + syrup bottle)
$40 – Grade A Golden: Workshop, DIY maple tapping kit, & VIP Experience (2/19 visit to sugar shack + syrup bottle)

VIP EXPERIENCE:
Go GRADE A! See the Sugar Shack & take home a sweet treat!
Spare yourself the long road trip to Vermont to see how the syrup gets made. Both of the VIP “Grade A” Experiences (Amber & Golden) include a complimentary sample bottle of Oak Lane Maple syrup AND an exclusive visit to the Sugar Shack at Wyncote Academy Farm in Elkins Park on 2/19 (details to follow)! If you upgrade to the “Grade A – Golden” you will receive a DIY maple tapping kit (step-by-step brochure, bucket, tubes, & taps) so you can harvest the sweet nectar from your own trees! We encourage recipients of these kits to bring the raw sap to the Sugar Shack at Wyncote Academy Farm on 2/19 for processing (instructions to follow). PLEASE NOTE: VIP ticket holders for Session II (3:30-5:00 pm) must also attend Session II (3:30 – 5:00 pm) at the Sugar Shack on 2/19.

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ATTENDEE INSTRUCTIONS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Appropriate for adults and families with children ages 12 & up. Minors must be ticketed and accompanied by an adult
  
• Please dress according to weather conditions.
• Please bring your own water (drinking water is not available in the park)
• There are bathrooms available at the beginning and end of the workshop if absolutely necessary

PARKING: there is plenty of free parking along Woodford’s back driveway (Dauphin Dr side). As always, NEVER leave valuables in your car!

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are tapping trees with the permission and guidance of our Natural Lands team for demonstration purposes only. Please DO try this at home in your own backyard, but DO NOT try this in the park. Tapping of trees and other forms of foraging/harvesting from the park’s natural areas without official permission is strictly forbidden.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS:  By registering for this event you are agreeing to follow ALL of these protocols:

• This event has limited capacity. Please only register if you fully intend to attend and let us know if you need to cancel ASAP.
• Participants must maintain 6 feet of distance from one another during the event.
• Please bring a mask. We encourage you to wear it if you’re in proximity to others.
• If you or anyone in your household are exhibiting COVID-19 systems, please stay home.

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GUIDE BIO: Jethro Heiko is the founder of Oak Lane Maple and Community Engagement Coordinator for Stockton University’s USDA Maple Grant, where he combines his experience as a community organizer, artist, and entrepreneur. In 2020, Jethro tapped the one sugar maple in his backyard and he was hooked. In 2021 Jethro founded Oak Lane Maple and now the effort has expanded to over 80 trees in the city of Philadelphia (yes, the city!). Oak Lane Maple recently partnered with Wyncote Academy to create a “sugar shack” with an evaporator provided by Stockton University. Jethro’s family donated the maple collection van. Say hi as you see him driving around. Jethro believes “there are resources all around us including one another, trees and so much more.” Donations to support Oak Lane Maple’s sweet story of success can be made here: https://gofund.me/f7563d28