Family-Outdoors

Image via Wikipedia JEFFERSON CITY ,  Mo. , Aug. 24, 2011 – The music and environmental message of Wildheart will be heard again in 12  Missouri  state parks and historic sites, thanks to a grant from the Missouri Arts Council.    Wildheart is composed of Jan and George Syrigos, both Emmy award- winning educators and entertainers who bring a strong science message to young audiences as they explore wildlife, habitats and natural history. Their performance combines original music with motion and media to deliver a conservation message about the natural world. Earlier this year, a Missouri Arts Council grant partially funded performances by Wildheart in seven state parks. "These performances were popular with both kids and adults and we are pleased that we can provide additional performances," said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "Wildheart is more than entertainment; they present the same ...

Women interested in backcountry camping and hiking can sign up now for a three-day, two-night backpacking trip at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, this Becoming an Outdoors-Woman "Beyond BOW" event is designed for women with previous backpacking or wilderness camping experience. Participants will hike approximately three to five miles per day, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Pictured Rocks from trails that follow the Lake Superior shoreline and offer unparalleled views of the famous limestone cliffs, waterfalls, pristine forest and lakeshore. Each participant will also help out with various backcountry duties, such as camp set-up and tear-down, meal preparation, water filtering and orienteering, with instruction from the trip leaders. The backpacking trip will begin at noon Friday with a gear check and trip orientation in Munising. The group will then travel to the Little...

Image via Wikipedia FAMILY OUTDOOR SKILLS DAY SEPTEMBER 17  XENIA, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is sponsoring a Family Outdoor Skills Day on Saturday September 17, 2011.  The event will feature shotgun, rifle, pellet gun and archery shooting activities and instruction. This family-friendly day will be held at Spring Valley Shooting Range in Greene County from noon to 5:00pm. All range fees are waived for the event participants and the equipment and ammunition will be provided. “This event will provide an excellent opportunity for adults and youth alike to gain hands on training with archery and firearms at no charge from certified instructors at one of Ohio’s premier public shooting ranges,” said David Kohler, District Five Wildlife Management Supervisor. The Outdoor Skills Day has been an annual event at the range since 2002 with about 125 participants taking part yearly. Certified instructors will be on hand to help teach saf...

Image by Nick Chill Photography via Flickr September 24-25 at Camp Kateri just south of York Bring the whole family for a weekend of boating, fishing and shooting sports followed with outdoor cooking, camping and a whole lot more!  Camp Kateri located just south of York, Nebraska near McCool Junction.  Cost is $99/family of six and includes all supplies, meals, cabins, etc.  For more information or to register contact Christy Christiansen at 402-471-5547 or christy.christiansen@nebraska. gov .

PIERRE, S.D. – Learning about the outdoors and conservation are important experiences for youth. To help make that happen, a fund established in honor of a family that is well-known to the outdoor community will begin awarding grants this fall. The  Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund  was established in memory of outdoor broadcaster and writer Tony Dean, who died in 2008, and in honor of his wife Dar Dean, an outdoor enthusiast who has a strong commitment to enhancing outdoor education opportunities. Working in cooperation with the  South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation,  the  Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund  will provide small grant funding for projects associated with youth conservation education in South Dakota.  These small grants are intended to provide resources and support to individuals and organizations desiring to provide quality educational outdoor experiences and are eligible to be used in a variety of ways, inclu...

Image via Wikipedia n Aug. 26 and 27, Upper Wabash Interpretive Services will provide free outdoor-related educational activities for youth at J. E. Roush Fish and Wildlife Area. Kicking things off on Aug. 26 from 7-8 p.m. will be a tracking program with Bryan Ridgway and a canine partner of the Marion Police Department. Visitors can camp overnight, or return on Saturday for the remainder of the sessions. Camping fees apply. All children must be with a responsible adult. The schedule for Saturday, Aug. 27: 9-10:30 a.m . Fishing stations Bait and species identification Tackle and casting session Safety and sportsmanship Fish cleaning demonstration 11-11:45 a.m. Outdoor cooking demonstrations and cook-off Show-off your group's outdoor cooking skills to try to win a prize. Please register to compete 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. lunch break Sample the results of the cook-off and demonstrations 1-5 p.m. Youth will rotate through hands-on learning stations including: shotgun, rifle, pe...

Image via Wikipedia Families who want to learn the basics of deer hunting are invited to attend the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deer Day program.  Women, men, and youth 10 and older accompanied by a guardian, are welcome to attend this free event.  Also, people age 16 and older who are taking the online firearms safety course can complete their field day requirement at this event. The event, hosted by the DNR’s Becoming An Outdoors Family Program, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Wilkens’ Farm near Mora in Kanabec County.  Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator, will lead off the day with a presentation on white-tailed deer. Afterward, participants will move through a series of hands-on stations where they will learn how to track deer; deer stand placement and safety; and shotgun, rifle, archery and muzzleloader shooting. Instructors will include DNR wildlife staff, DNR conservation officers, Bec...