GLEN JEAN — Have you ever seen a shooting star? This is the time of year to see such wonders in the night sky. Join a ranger for the Naturalist Notebook Skills Series and see the peak of the Perseid Meteor Showers. Learn the basics of summer star constellations and the night sky during this natural event.

This is one of many adventures to take in New River Gorge National River by participating in a ranger-guided hike or talk, fun ways to get outdoors and learn more about the natural world that surrounds us and the people who shaped our past. All programs are free unless otherwise noted.

Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes for all guided hikes. Water, a snack, camera and binoculars are other useful tools to bring along.

Here’s what’s happening this week at area National Park Service sites:

Every night from Tuesday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 12

— Ranger on the Rock — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meet at Grandview’s Main Overlook. Come and go as you please for this informal program with a ranger at one of the best views of the New River Gorge. Enjoy the scenery and discuss area natural and cultural history.

Thursday, Aug. 9

— Naturalist Notebook Skills Series: Wildflowers — 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Meet at the Burnwood Day Use Area in Lansing for this 1-mile hike. Build naturalist skills in this mini-nature course focusing on wildflower identification. Bring a hand lens or some will be available. Advanced sign-up encouraged; call 304-574-2115.

— Coal Display and Junior Ranger — 6:30 to 8 p.m. Meet at the Theatre West Virginia concession stand area at Grandview. Kids see a display on historic coal mining and have fun working on Junior Ranger activities. Open to Theatre West Virginia ticket holders.

Friday, Aug. 10

— Ranger on the Spot: Arrowhead — 2 to 4 p.m. Ride a mountain bike or walk the new trails of the Arrowhead area and meet a ranger along the way. Discover more of the area’s rich heritage found the park during this informal program. The trails of the Arrowhead system are located near Kaymoor Top, outside Fayetteville.

— Ranger’s Choice: Snakes of West Virginia — 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Meet at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing. Come and go as you please for this informal, hands-on program about snakes. See how these often feared wonders of nature make a life in the gorge, plus learn ways to stay safe when snakes slither by.

Saturday, Aug. 11

— Grand Birding — 9 to 11 a.m. Meet at Grandview Visitor Center for a 1-mile walk. Stroll the park looking and listening for birds. Bring binoculars or some will be available.

— Hike of the Week: Nuttallburg — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at Canyon Rim Visitor Center for a 2-mile walk. Learn more about the historic coal mining community of Nuttallburg in a short talk at the visitor center, then car caravan to site to see what remains of this amazing industrial story. See a 1920s-era coal conveyor, tipple, coke ovens, and more. Wear sturdy walking shoes; bring water.

— Bluestone Walk — 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park tramway for this 2-mile walk. Meet a ranger at the bottom of Pipestem’s tramway to walk within Bluestone National Scenic River for a mile and return. Along the way, enjoy the flora and fauna of the area and discover regional history. Bring $2 for the return tram ride.

— Ranger’s Choice: Historic Coal Mining in the New River Gorge — 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Meet at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing. Come and go as you please for this informal, hands-on program about the history of coal mining in the New River Gorge. See hand tools once commonly used in this industry and learn how mining shaped the lives of people in this region.

— Coal Display and Junior Ranger — 6:30 to 8 p.m. Meet at the Theatre West Virginia concession stand area at Grandview. Kids see a display on historic coal mining and have fun working on Junior Ranger activities. Open to Theatre West Virginia ticket holders.

— Naturalist Notebook Skills Series: Stars and the Perseid Meteor Showers — 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Meet at the Burnwood Day Use Area in Lansing for a 0.5-mile walk. Build naturalists’ skills in this mini-nature course focusing on the night sky. Bring a flashlight with a red lens or some will be available. Advanced sign-up encouraged; call 304-574-2115.

Sunday, Aug. 12

— Historic Thurmond Tour — 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor Center or join the ranger in the historic district for this 0.5-mile walk. What was life like in one of the New River Gorge’s most renowned towns? Meet a ranger in Thurmond’s historic district for an informal tour of this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.

— Ranger on the Spot: Thurmond — 2:00 to 4 p.m. Explore the historic railroad community of Thurmond at your leisure. Meet a ranger in the historic district to learn more about this rich cultural site.

— Ranger’s Choice: Youth Arts in the Parks — 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Meet at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing. Come and go as you please for this informal, hands-on program for kids. Children will use their talents to create art work inspired by nature.

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For more information about New River Gorge National River and upcoming ranger activities, visit http://www.nps.gov/neri, check out the park Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps, or stop by any park visitor center.