Montrose, IA – The Lee County Conservation Board is giving kids a chance to learn about the outdoors this summer. The Board's first camps get underway the week of June 7.
Environmental Education Coordinator Karen Johlas-Szalkowski says each event is geared towards the age of the children involved. She says, for example, kids ages 3-6 get to learn about various animals through games, stories, and crafts.
Johlas-Szalkowski says older kids get to go fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. She says there is also a camping opportunity for a child and an adult.
"We provide opportunities that they cannot get at the library," says Johlas-Szalkowski, adding that the camps are "something different than sending the kids to the pool. They get to explore the outdoors and take the stuff back home and share with their parents or do in their own backyards."
Johlas-Szalkowski says overnight camps will also be held for kids (12-15) in late July and early August. She says, during those events, girls will be able to take the Iowa DNR's Hunter Education Course while boys can take the state's Fur-Harvester Course.
Youth Programs (Ages 3-6 With An Adult)
Beaver Story Time
June 9, 2009
Wilson Lake
9:30AM-11AM OR 1PM-2:30 PM
Cost: $10
Kids and an adult will learn about the busy life of beavers through a story, craft, game, and snack. They will get a chance to touch a beaver fur, skull, and sticks from a beaver lodge.
Skunk Story Time
June 11, 2009
Wilson Lake
9:30AM-11AM OR 1-2:30 PM
Cost: $10
Kids and an adult will discover the world of smelly skunks. They will listen to a story, make a craft, play games, touch a skunk fur and much more.
Bison Story Time
June 18, 2009
Wilson Lake
9:30AM-11:00 AM or 1PM-2:30 PM
Cost: $10
Kids and adult will learn all about the American Bison that once roamed Iowa's prairies. They will see a skull, touch bison fur, sample bison snacks, listen to a story, and make a craft.
Youth Programs (Ages 7 and up)
Fish Camp
June 24, 2009
9AM-2PM
Pollmiller Park
Cost: $18
The day will include fishing at the lake, live fish identification, crafts, a catfish cleaning demonstration, and a fish fry for lunch. All fishing gear will be provided.
Adult & Child Campout
July 10-11, 2009
Friday (4PM) until 11 AM on Saturday at Wilson Lake
Cost: $40 for one child and one adult ($10/additional person)
Participants will be provided with a tent for the night. They will cook our own meals, hike, have a campfire, enjoy adult/child crafts, games, and exploring at Wilson Lake.
Wavy Waters of Wilson
July 21,2009
Wilson Lake
9AM- 2PM
Cost: $18
Participants will take part in a day of water activities: kayaking, canoeing, crafts, and water games. Sack lunch and water clothing required.
Outdoor Adventure Camp
Ages 12-15
Camp Lookout
Boys - July 26-28, 2009
Girls - July 30-August 1, 2009
Cost: $20
This camp is for young adults who enjoy the outdoors and would like to learn more about it. Some events, last year, were archery, tree stand safety, gun safety and shooting at the gun club, mussel hunting in the river, cleaning catfish, and the turkey net demo and turkey hunting information. The girls will participate in the Iowa DNR Hunter Education and the boys participate in the Iowa DNR Furharvester Course. Space is limited to 25.