Family-Outdoors

Image via Wikipedia Safe Kids Kansas offers families important outdoor safety tips TOPEKA — Sleeping bag? Check. Hiking boots? Check. Safety guidelines? While the preparations for a family camping, boating, or hiking trip usually include a review of the necessary gear, parents should also review safety guidelines with their children, paying special attention to potential hazards specific to outdoor recreation. Campfires, portable stoves, heaters, and fuel-burning lanterns all produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can poison a child very quickly. About 30 campers each year die of CO poisoning in the U.S. Never use any of these devices in an enclosed area, even a tent. In addition, make sure these devices — as well as campfires — are clear of flammable material, from paper napkins to dry grass. Safe Kids Kansas recommends these safety guidelines around campfires and portable heating devices: keep matches and lighters out of the reach of childre...

Image via Wikipedia An overnight “I Can Camp!” program at Wild River State Park, a guided canoe trip on the Rum River, and a bicycle safety and maintenance clinic at Fort Snelling State Park are among the many programs and special events resuming this weekend at Minnesota state parks and trails. Visitors are encouraged to check the online calendar for a complete schedule. Families and individuals seeking outdoor fun will have the rest of summer to learn new skills and create lasting memories by participating in a variety of free or low-cost naturalist-led programs. Examples include: I Can Camp! programs, which provide participants with equipment and expert instruction on how to camp in a tent. Twelve programs remain between now and Sept. 3. Registration required; fee is $35 (one-night) or $50 (two nights). I Can Climb! provides opportunities to try rock climbing—safely—on real rock at Tettegouche (July 30 and Aug. 27), Blue Mounds (Aug. 13) and Interstate (Aug...

Did you know that being active in South Dakota State Parks this summer could help them win big in the America Is Your Park campaign? The title of “America’s Favorite Park” and a $100,000 recreation grant are up for grabs. So get out, play and vote for your favorite park on LivePositively.com before Sept. 6, 2011!                                               America Is Your Park encourages families to get active outdoors in parks across the country and vote to help their favorite park win one of three recreation grants made possible by the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative. If you like rollerblading, biking, running, playing ball or just walking your dog, there’s no better place than South Dakota state parks to to enjoy those activities. The funding ...

Image via CrunchBase JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 18, 2011 -- If you are looking for an easy way to access information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, the answer is in the palm of your hand. A new free mobile application for smartphones is designed to provide visitors with convenient access to detailed state park information. The app is currently available for the Apple iPhone and is coming soon for Android smartphones. Innovative features within the app are sure to enhance any visit to a Missouri state park or historic site.                       "Our amazing state parks are timeless in what they offer and these new mobile applications will make sure today's visitors have the latest technology to easily access information about them," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.               T...

Image via Wikipedia JEFFERSON CITY, MO., July 18, 2011 -- If you love the Meramec River and want to help clean up its banks, join park staff from Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg on a cleanup event July 30. The cleanup will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the public is encouraged to volunteer to assist.             Previous flood events have deposited significant debris along the stream bank that extends from the park campground's gravel bar along the Meramec River to the boat launch in the park's day-use area. If time permits, volunteers will also clean up trash along the creek that flows throughout the picnic and shelter area. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be provided.          Reservations for this event are not required but are encouraged by calling 573-245-6576 .             Onondaga Cave State Park is locat...

Image via Wikipedia JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 18, 2011 -- Are you looking for something new and special to add to your next camping adventure ? Show-Me WOW Weekends will definitely add a WOW factor to your camping trip to Missouri state parks.             Registered campers in seven state parks will have an added bonus during special weekends with programs to learn a new activity or enjoy a familiar one with friends and family. Activities include archery, bank fishing, kayaking, hiking, Dutch oven cooking, geocaching and more. These programs will provide even more ways to enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors.             Show-Me WOW Weekends will be held Saturday, July 23 at Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw, Stockton State Park near Dadeville and Wakonda State Park near La Grange; Saturday, July 30 at Mark Twain State Park near Stoutsville and Robertsvi...

Image via Wikipedia PIERRE, S.D. – Visitors to South Dakota state parks will have the chance to take part in a variety of special family activities on the third weekend in July. The free activities are a great way for people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors. Make plans to attend the following events: Pie Iron Cooking is a Piece of Cake, Chief White Crane Recreation Area near Yankton, July 15, 7 p.m. CDT. Learn the basics of pie iron cooking -- watch the demonstration, enjoy the samples and pick up recipes to try on your own. Info: 605-668-2985 Wild Desserts Hike, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, July 16, 9:30 a.m. CDT. Nature's bounty can provide all sorts of edible treats. Learn more on this morning hike along the Gavin’s Point Nature Trail. Info: 605-668-2985 Lake Herman Beach Bash, Lake Herman State Park near Madison, July 16, 10 a.m. CDT. Come for a day of sun and sand, and participate in a number of beach activities. Buddy, the South Dakota Public Broadc...

Image via Wikipedia Learn to Master the Great Outdoors During DNR's Recreation 101 Clinics July 6, 2011 Stop envying the people with all the bikes, boats, kayaks and campers strapped to their cars. Experts at Michigan's Department of Natural Resources are ready to assist even the most tentative beginner in taking that first step toward a life-long love of the outdoors. The DNR Parks and Recreation Division's Recreation 101 is a year-round GO-Get Outdoors program that recruits top instructors and sports equipment vendors to provide free or inexpensive hands-on lessons. The goal is to provide the novice sportsman with enough skill and knowledge to begin a new activity. Program offerings, ranging from fishing, birding and geocaching to hiking, biking and paddling and even mushing, are set to take place in numerous state parks and recreation areas across Michigan. Don't just watch other people have fun. Use the Recreation 101 demo clinics to try out the many wonderful ou...

Image via Wikipedia Staycations are back, thanks to high pump prices and tight family budgets. Luckily, relief from boredom is closer than you may have imagined, in often-dramatic natural settings: national wildlife refuges. There’s a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major American cities. For families, national wildlife refuges are full of free or low-cost outdoor summer adventures from paddle trips and fishing rodeos to butterfly counts and scavenger hunts in the night sky. Spark wonder in kids, thrill to a seasonal wildlife spectacle or just enjoy a quiet walk or hike and an escape from the daily bustle. The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants. Recreational opportunities and activities for kids abound on national wildlife refuges. Some refuges also protect historic and cultural treasures, such as...

MADISON -- When the summer doldrums strike, Wisconsinites and visitors from across the Midwest engage in the decades-long tradition of visiting our state parks for camping , hiking and other outdoor activities. But there’s a host of other family – friendly activities taking place in our state parks this summer. Here’s a partial, summer-long list of activities in Wisconsin State Parks: July 16: Learn to Fish Rodeo : Grab your bait, pardner! This rodeo includes Backyard Bass Casting, Filling the Tackle Box, a fishing regulations quiz and more. After completing the rodeo, experienced anglers will help you hone your skills. Special surprises and prizes for all who participate. Bring your gear or free gear will be provided for those who need it. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, Mauthe Lake Recreation Fishing Pier, 1 to 4 p.m. (920) 533-8322. July 30: Laura Ingalls Wilder Day : Activities include making bullets, woodworking, stuffing mattresses, baking Jonny-cakes ...