Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site hosts Dutch oven cooking for beginners March 30

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 15, 2019 – Ever wonder how settlers got fresh bread as they moved across Missouri? Or how Civil War soldiers prepared their dinner, if they were lucky enough to have something to eat? Dutch ovens are one of the most historic versatile cooking pots available and can be a valuable addition to your outdoor experience. Come to Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and staff will teach and demonstrate the basics of Dutch oven cooking.

If you have your own Dutch oven but don't know how to use it, bring it along and staff will help you cook in it. If you would like to learn the basics on how to choose an oven, and how to prep and clean an oven, this class is for you. If you do not have an oven, and we will have a few for you to try out.

Call the park staff to sign up and get the list of supplies you will need to bring if you are going to try cooking. Spend the day with us learning about this historic cooking pot and how to use it today, make some good memories and sample hot pie cooked outdoors.

Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic site is located in southeast Missouri at 118 E. Maple St., Pilot Knob. For more information about the event, call the site at 573-546-3454.

For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Kick-off 2016 with Cape Nature Center events

The 2016 Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center program schedule starts off with Dutch Oven Cooking: Soups and Stews, Saturday, Jan. 2.  (MDC file photo)

Gain skills in Dutch oven cooking, Nature art, arrow making and tree tapping all in one month.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Nature Center has plenty of programs to cure a wintry spirit. Nature Center Manager Sara Turner said winter is the best time to hone many outdoor skills. 

“Some people think winter is time to hide away indoors, but that’s just not the case,” Turner said. “We have a packed schedule for January, so folks will have plenty to do and discover what nature’s like in the winter months.”

The 2016 Nature Center program schedule starts off with Dutch Oven Cooking: Soups and Stews, Saturday, Jan. 2. This beginner’s course will teach the basics of Dutch oven cooking with practical and timeless recipes. Register on or after Dec. 15 for one of two sessions. This program is for ages 14 and up.

Nature Art: Groundhog Day is Thursday, Jan. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. Ages 16 and up are welcome to scrapbook perfect pages for next month’s Groundhog day pictures. Make a two-page layout to highlight outdoor adventures on Groundhog Day while learning about these little native weather forecasters. Registration begins Jan. 2.

Make your own primitive arrow Saturday, Jan. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn how to use Native American techniques with materials native to Missouri such as river cane, turkey feathers, deer sinew, pine pitch and more. Each participant will have the opportunity to make one arrow. Registration for this program begins Dec. 15.

Saturday, Jan. 16, naturalists will tap trees in preparation for maple sugaring season. Join one of two programs at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. to learn how to identify Sugar maple trees, select a tree to tap and try your hand at tapping a tree. This program only covers the tree tapping portion. Maple sugaring is scheduled for Feb. 13, after enough sap is collected. Adult supervision is required for ages 12 to 17. Registration begins Jan. 2.

Other January programs at the Nature Center are a winter garden tour Saturday, Jan. 23, a Nature’s Recyclers Puppet Show also Jan. 23, and a Winter Tree I.D. walk Saturday, Jan. 30. Call (573)290-5218 to register or inquire for more information about all Cape Nature Center programs or learn more at mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter.

Missouri State Parks hosts Fall Outdoor Discovery Day Sept. 8 at Crowder State Park

BALLWIN, MISSOURI - CASTLEWOOD STATE PARK* (Photo credit: gobucks2)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Take advantage of all the outdoor activities perfect for fall at the Fall Outdoor Discovery Day Sept. 8 at Crowder State Park near Trenton. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the free event will be held from noon until 4 p.m. in the park’s lake parking lot.

The event will feature nature displays, face painting, nature crafts and a trivia contest. Visitors can learn new skills by watching outdoor recreation demonstrations such as Dutch oven cooking, archery and fishing.

Crowder State Park is located west of Trenton off Highway 6. For more information about the event, call the park at 660-359-6473. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Family Fall Festival planned Oct. 8 at Weston Bend State Park

Image by Pen Waggener via Flickr

CAMPING TIPS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., SEPT. 27, 2011 -- Bring the entire family to enjoy the wonders of fall in the outdoors at the Family Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 8 at Weston Bend State Park near Weston. The festival, from 1 to 5 p.m., will be held on the grounds near the park's open shelter. The event is free and open to the public.

            Activities will include old-time blacksmithing, Dutch oven cooking, cider pressing, fall games, pumpkin decorating, nature crafts and activities. At 2 p.m., the World Bird Sanctuary will present a program with live raptors such as hawks and eagles.

            Weston Bend State Park is located at 16600 Hwy. 45 North near Weston in Platte County. For more information, call the park office at 816- 640-5443 or call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit mostate parks.com.

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• Wildheart offers music and environmental message in Missouri state parks (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Informational meeting planned Sept. 10 for Weston Bend State Park (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Get Out and Play at Babler State Park on Sept. 24 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Celebrate Missouri Archaeology Month with Artifact Road Show Sept. 25 at Van Meter State Park (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Public invited to share ideas at an open house Sept. 22 at Sam A. Baker State Park (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Fall Outdoor Discovery Day planned Sept. 24 at Crowder State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., SEPT. 15, 2011 – Discover the joys of nature at a Fall Outdoor Discovery Day from noon until 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at Crowder State Park near Trenton. The beach parking lot will be the site for this free special event, which coincides with National Take A Child Outside Week.

During the event, participants of all ages can enjoy nature displays, face painting, nature crafts and outdoor recreation demonstrations such as Dutch oven cooking, archery and fishing. The event is also a great place to watch the annual mountain bike endurance race.

A special treat will be the concert by the musical group Wildheart at noon and 2 p.m. Jan and George Syrigos, both Emmy award-winning educators and entertainers, will capture young audiences with a strong science message exploring wildlife, habitats and natural history. This concert is made possible by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council and from local donations. 

The day of outdoor fun and discovery will be a great time to explore Crowder State Park and take your own Children in Nature Challenge. 

Emmy® Award Winning educators and entertainers, Jan & George Syrigos make up the musical group WildHeart.  This duo captures young audiences with a strong science message exploring wildlife, habitats and natural history.  This concert is made possible by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council and from local donations.  For more information about Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com.

Bring your ideas to an open house June 25 at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 15, 2011 – The public is invited to bring their ideas to an open house on Saturday, June 25, at Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton.  The event, which will also include demonstrations and activities, will start at 1 p.m. at the park visitor center and is open to the public.

 The open house will include demonstration and other family fun activities that are part of our state park’s statewide effort to participate in the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout and Children in Nature Challenge initiative. Demonstrations include grass weaving, Dutch oven cooking and campfire building. Activities include an orientation program, a chance to look at animal pelts and use animal tracks. Everyone will get to enjoy s’mores around the campfire. 

            During the open house, park staff will highlight recent accomplishments, the success and projects of the State Parks Youth Corps at the park, and future projects.

            The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the park and its services.  The open house is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the public has input on services provided in state parks and historic sites. 

            Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located five miles southwest of Camdenton off U.S. Highway 54 on Highway D.  People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park at 573-346-2986 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.

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.

Learn new campfire cooking tips May 14 at Crowder State Park

Image via WikipediaJEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 21, 2011 – Are you tired of eating only hot dogs and s’mores when you go camping? Learn new tips for campfire cooking May 14 at Crowder State Park near Trenton. The event, which will begin at 2 p.m., will focus on how to make meals while camping using everything from aluminum foil to Dutch ovens. Samples will be provided for participants. Call the park office at 660-359-6473 to pre-register by May 11.

Crowder State Park is located west of Trenton off Highway 6. For more information about the program and the park, call 660-359-6473 or toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.