A number of activities are scheduled in the coming weeks for area children who want to get outdoors, including:
• Kids Free Fishing Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Roaring River State Park, near Cassville.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the concessionaire Moparks Inc. sponsor this event. Anglers under 16 are allowed to sign up and obtain a free trout tag. Several fishing holes in the park are reserved for children. The Conservation Department will offer instruction in trout fishing, fish cleaning and other topics. Awards will be handed out to successful anglers.
Details: Roaring River State Park, 417-847-2539.
• Leaping Lizards, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, Wildcat Park in Joplin.
The program is for children ages 3 to 6. They will learn about lizards and meet Cherty the Collared Lizard, the Wildcat Glades mascot, as he makes an appearance and discusses sunning, scales and tails. Participants will go on a lizard hunt.
Cost: $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers.
Details: Wildcat Glades, 417-623-2211.
• Super Sleuth nature hike, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Stockton State Park, near Dadeville.
Participants will search for clues along a park hiking trail and put them together to solve a nature mystery. The group will meet at Nyblad Amphitheater in the park.
Details: Stockton State Park, 417-276-4259.
• 2012 youth dove hunt pre-hunt workshop, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, Shawnee Trail Conservation Area, Barton County.
The workshop is required for those ages 11 to 15 who want to participate in the youth dove hunt. Youths must be accompanied by an adult, and both must be hunter education certified. The workshop will cover dove biology, management, hunting techniques, safety and shooting. Youth hunters will have a reserved field for this event. This program is free and is limited to 16 youths.
Reservations are required by Aug. 23.
Details: Missouri Department of Conservation, 417-629-3423.
• Public canoeing, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, Kellogg Lake, Carthage.
Participants will learn the basics of canoeing. Space is limited. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Upon registering, attendees will be given detailed class information.
Reservations are required by Aug. 27.
Details: Missouri Department of Conservation, 417-629-3423.
• Bison hike, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 1, Prairie State Park, near Mindenmines in Barton County.
Participants will learn about bison biology, Native American uses, herd dynamics, prairies and more with an experienced naturalist.
Details: Prairie State Park, 417-843-6711.
• Majestic Monarchs, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, Wildcat Park in Joplin.
The program is for children ages 3 to 6. They will learn about the life of a monarch and its migration to Mexico and back again. Participants will use games, stories and a craft to learn about monarchs, and will go outside and try to catch a few.
Cost: $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers.
Details: Wildcat Glades, 417-623-2211.
• Trapping lure and bait making, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 29, Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area, Lawrence County.
Students will learn the basics of making bait and lures to be used in attracting fur-bearers. Topics will include gland removal, ingredients, and myths of the lure industry.
Students must pre-register by contacting conservation agent Andrew Barnes at 417-461-4586.
• Prairie Jubilee, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, Prairie State Park, near Mindenmines in Barton County.
The jubilee is marking its 30th anniversary. Activities will include a living history loop, where visitors will interact with interpreters and others to learn what it was like to live on the prairie. Also planned are live music and a ride to see bison.
Details: Prairie State Park, 417-843-6711.
• Wonders of Wildlife National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School, Oct. 5-7, Roaring River State Park, near Cassville.
Various outdoor skills classes will be presented, including caving, rappelling, canoeing, black powder and shotgun safety and shooting, shooting sports, reloading, fly casting and fishing, fly tying, ultra-lite fishing, trapping, archery, arrow making and flint knapping, primitive camping, primitive hunting, camping, outdoor survival, orienteering, Dutch oven cooking, wild munchies, nature landscaping, outdoor photography, geocaching, stargazing and wood lore.
Details: Roaring River State Park, 417-847-2539.
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