MO State Parks Offers Camping Tips for State Parks

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Do you want to learn the joys of camping in the great outdoors but don’t know where to begin? Missouri State Parks has the perfect program for you.

Missouri State Parks is teaming up with The North Face’s Explore Your Parks Program this summer to teach families how to have an enjoyable and safe camping experience in its Learn2 Camp program.  Some families may want to go camping but are uncertain how and what equipment is needed. The new Learn2 Camp Program answers all those questions with camping experts who will lend a hand with every aspect of the adventure.

This summer, 40 families will have the opportunity to participate in the program, which will be held at five different Missouri state parks during June. Workshops will be held at the following locations:

• June 2 – Watkins Woolen Mill State Park, Lawson.
• June 9 – Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson.
• June 16 – Stockton State Park, Stockton.
• June 23 – Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood.
• June 30 – Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville.

“It’s hard to imagine an activity that brings families together better than camping,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “Our goal is to help everyone become more familiar with camping so they too can enjoy this great experience,” he said.
 In the Learn2 Camp program, Missouri State Parks will supply the camping equipment, instructors to teach basic camping skills, a campsite in a state park campground, recipes and a list of things you should bring. Each lucky camping family should bring food for meals, bedding, personal items such as soap, etc., and a willingness to learn and discover the outdoors.

To become one of the lucky families, tell us why your family wants to learn to camp in 500 words or less. Also, select your first and second choices for the Learn2 Camp program locations and dates. Application deadline is 5 p.m. May 11 and the winners will be notified by Tuesday, May 15.
A family group is considered up to six people, with at least one person 18 years of age or older. Please include adequate adult supervision for children to ensure the program can be educational and enjoyable for everyone.

To apply to be a lucky Learn2 Camp program family or for more information on the program, go to mostateparks/learn2camp. To learn more about the parks where the programs will be held or all state park campgrounds, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Mark Twain Forest Offering Free Camping January 14-16, 2012

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ROLLA, Mo.– Mark Twain National Forest will offer free camping in unreserved campsites both Saturday and Sunday nights, and free day use at unreserved sites Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 14-16, 2012.

The three days of free day use and two free nights of camping at year-round recreation areas the second weekend in January 2012 are being offered in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend. 

Motorized trail permits are still required for use of the Chadwick and Sutton Bluff trail systems, and normal fees still apply.

Free camping and day use is being offered at Cobb Ridge in the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Area in Christian County and Greer Crossing on the Eleven Point River in Oregon County.

 Campgrounds are closed but day use fees are being waived at Markham Springs  in Wayne County; North Fork along the North Fork of the White River in Ozark County, and Watercress on the Current River in Carter County. 

In addition, the following campgrounds or camping areas are among those open year-round without fees:

Berryman and Hazel Creek in Washington County; Bar-K  in Christian County; Dry Fork in Callaway County, and Big Piney Trail Camp in Texas County, all of which have facilities for equestrian camping;  Paddy Creek in Texas County, Pine Ridge in Callaway County  and McCormack Lake in Oregon County, where horses are not allowed. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become recognized as a national day of service.  Mark Twain National Forest is celebrating the many volunteers who have helped and encouraging individuals to start 2012 right by getting out and enjoying their national forests.

“We have hundreds of volunteers who help maintain the trails and other recreation facilities on Mark Twain National Forest,” said Mark Twain National Forest Acting Forest Supervisor Teresa Chase.

“Offering free camping and day use on the weekend of this National Day of Service is a way to show our appreciation of those individuals.  Also, at a time of year when many individuals have resolved to lead a healthier lifestyle, we want to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to connect to the land, which improves the health and quality of both personal and community life.  We hope to inspire individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, instill excitement for the outdoors, or to just plain get out and enjoy being on a trail or in the forest.

Related articles

• Free Day Use and Camping Nov. 11-13, 2001 on Mark Twain National Forest (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Young male mountain lion trapped, released in Reynolds County (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Mark Twain National Forest Looking For Recreation Site Concessionaires (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Art Tents! (karirowephoto.com)

Informational meeting planned Oct. 4 at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., SEPT. 30, 2011 – The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. 

Recent accomplishments at the site will be highlighted during the informal meeting, including the contributions by the State Parks Youth Corps.  Recent accomplishments and future plans will be highlighted during the meeting.  Visitors are invited to share comments regarding site operations and facilities.

These informational meetings are part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure the public has input on services and facilities offered in state parks and historic sites.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is located in Burfordville in Cape Girardeau County on Highway HH. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the site at573-243-4591 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Related articles

• Learn to enjoy the outdoors at WOW Kansas City Sept. 23-24 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Open house planned Oct. 1 for Mark Twain State Park and State Historic Site (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Archaeology Days scheduled Sept. 24-25 at Mastodon State Historic Site (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Informational meeting planned Oct. 1 at Cuivre River State Park (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Beach at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site reopens (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Visitor center at Arrow Rock State Historic Site celebrates 20th anniversary with special programs Sept. 17 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Join the fun at the Great American Backyard Campout in Missouri state parks

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 15, 2011 -- Enjoy a night of old-fashioned fun under the stars with your friends and family June 25 during the Great American Backyard Campout in Missouri state parks.

            The Great American Backyard Campout is a nationwide initiative by the National Wildlife Federation to encourage families and communities to reconnect and experience the outdoors. To help you celebrate, almost 20 Missouri state parks are offering special programs and activities to make this night one to remember.

            "The Great American Backyard Campout is one way we can encourage kids and entire families to get outdoors and experience all the fun you can have in nature. Once you experience a night around the campfire enjoying s'mores, we know you will come back again and again and make it a family tradition," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.

            Activities will vary from park to park and programs range from camping and Dutch oven cooking demonstrations to music and storytelling. Programs will appeal to all ages, including kids who may be experiencing nature for the first time. All parks will offer a camping tradition -- sitting around a campfire and making and enjoying s'mores. Some programs are offered for the day and other parks offer overnight camping. Registration is required for some programs so call the individual parks or visit mostateparks.com for more details. 

            Following are the parks and historic sites participating in this year's Great American Backyard Campout.

·        Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock.

·        Sam A. Baker State Park, Piedmont.

·        Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood.

·        Crowder State Park, Trenton.

·        First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles.

·        Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton.

·        Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve.

·        Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, Jefferson City.

·        Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook.

·        Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.

·        Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster.

·        Meramec State Park, Sullivan.

·        Montauk State Park, Salem.

·        Pomme de Terre State Park, Hermitage.

·        Roaring River State Park, Cassville.

·        Table Rock State Park, Branson.

·        Harry S Truman State Park, Warsaw.

If you are not planning to go to a state park with a special program on June 25, visit any Missouri state park this summer and begin your own campout tradition with family and friends.

            For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit mostateparks.com.

Women Invited to Discover Nature through MDC Summer Workshop June 4-6

The Discover Nature Women Summer Workshop at Windermere Conference Center gives women a fun, safe way to learn outdoor skills.

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to get hands-on outdoor skills training at its Discover Nature Women Summer Workshop, June 4-6, at the Windermere Conference Center in Roach, Missouri. The registration deadline is May 14.

The workshop provides a safe and friendly environment where women experience hands-on outdoor skills training at the beginner level, taught by a team of longtime professionals. Courses include archery, basic hunting, canoeing, Dutch oven/outdoor cooking, an introduction to firearms, camping, fishing fundamentals, fly tying, map/compass/GPS reading and shotgun shooting.

The special weekend is targeted to women 18 years and older, along with young women age 14-17 when accompanied by a woman 18 years or older. The workshop is free, but a $20 deposit is required at the time of registration. The deposit will be refunded at check in. There is no deposit fee for young women aged 14–17 when registered with an adult.

Participants are responsible for making room and meal reservations directly with Windermere by calling 573-346-5200 or (800) 346-2215, or online at www.windermereusa.org. Various lodging options are available including lodge, motel, cabins and camping. MDC will provide dinner on Saturday.

For more information, and to view photos from last year’s event, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/programs/mow/weekend.htm, or contact Lynn Merritt-Goggins at 573-522-4115, ext. 3808 or Kevin Lohraff at 573-522-4115, ext. 3294.

The Windermere Conference Center is flanked by 1,300 acres of wooded Ozark hills and occupies 3.5 miles of shoreline on the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information, visit www.windermereusa.org.

- Joe Jerek -

Visit Family-Outdoors for  Camping, Fishing, and Hunting Information - Missouri and Beyond

Great Places to Camp In Missouri: The Irish Wilderness

In my last post on Finding Great Places to Camp in Missouri, I talked in some detail about the Eleven Point River area and referenced the Irish Wilderness.  I mentioned I would discuss in a aseparate post camping in the Irish Wilderness backcountry.  Here it is...

The Forest Service has an excellent brochure on the Irish Wilderness.  This has a lot of history as well as backcountry ethics information.  On that score, let me underscore the notion that the Irish Wilderness is managed in a fashion that in the future it will be as much of a wilderness as it is in its current state.  The "Leave No Trace" credo is the rule here.  Having said this, let me jump into a discussion of modes of travel and camping in this area.

There are two major trail systems in this 16,500 acre gem.  A map of the area is essential, even if using one of the areas trail systems.  The major trail in the area is Whites Creek Trail.  Click on this map link for a basic trail map.  It is an 18.6 mile loop trail, and is of moderate difficulty.  It is used also as an equestrian trail, but motorized and non-motorized vehicles are not allowed (mountain bikes).  There is plenty of wildlife including bears, bobcats, deer, and turkey.  There are also plenty of snakes, some venomous, as well as ticks.  Be prepared, and consider Fall or Spring visits to minimize some of these things.  This is truly a magical place as the slideshow below portrays:



Irish Wilderness-Mark Twain NF, Mo

Come prepared and click the link below for a comprehensive list of camping gear to consider bringing:
Camping Gear Checklist