Blue moon astronomy event at Mark Twain State Park July 31

Blue Moon

Missouri State Parks is offering visitors an opportunity to view July’s Blue Moon over Buzzards Roost on Mark Twain Lake 8:30 p.m., Friday, July 31 at Mark Twain State Park.

July’s blue moon is the second full moon of the month, which will not occur again until 2018 and, after that, until 2037. The program will include information and folklore about the phases of the moon.

Visitors should bring seating, snacks, insect repellant and a red-filtered flashlight which does not impair visibility of the night sky. A telescope will be available at the event.

Mark Twain State Park is located off Highway 107 near Florida, Mo. For more information about the events, call the park at 573-565-3449. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Missouri Wilderness Camping

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MO State Parks Teaches Ways to Enjoy Outdoors and Missouri "Children in Nature" Communities

Pickle Creek at Hawn State Park in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missouri State Parks offers ways to have fun in the outdoors

For more information: 573-751-1010

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Spending time outdoors can be even more enjoyable when you know how to do some fun activities. Missouri State Parks is offering you the opportunity to learn these activities in its free Learn2 Experience the Outdoors Program during August.

During each weekend in August, state park staff will show you how to kayak on a river or lake; try your hand at archery; find hidden secrets through geocaching; or prepare a delicious meal in a Dutch oven. Missouri State Parks will supply the equipment and the expertise. You supply the enthusiasm and eagerness to discover nature and a new skill.

“Anytime you can have a great experience in a state park, it makes your visit to the outdoors even more fun. Sharing these experiences with your friends and family creates memories that will last a lifetime,” says Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  

The Learn2 Experience the Outdoors Program will be held on the following dates and locations:

• Aug. 4 – Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve – geocaching and Dutch oven cooking
• Aug. 11 – Pomme de Terre State Park, Pittsburg – archery and kayaking
• Aug. 18 – Mark Twain State Park, Stoutsville – archery and kayaking
• Aug. 25 – Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Columbia – geocaching and Dutch oven cooking

Participants must be 10 years of age to participate in kayaking or archery. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  

The Learn2 Experience the Outdoors is the third in a series of Learn2 programs sponsored this summer by Missouri State Parks. A Learn2 Camp Program was held in June and a Learn2 Paddle Program is being offered in July.

Registration is required and classes are expected to fill up quickly. To register for the event or for more information on state parks and historic sites, go to mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 

Joplin and Kirksville recognized and Children in Nature communities

For more information: 573-751-1010

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Joplin and Kirksville have been recognized as Missouri Children in Nature communities for creating an environment that encourages children to get outdoors and enjoy nature. The cities were recognized in a ceremony July 23 in the Governor’s Office.

The Children in Nature Challenge was created by executive order to challenge Missouri communities to enhance children’s education about nature and to increase children’s opportunities to personally experience nature and the outdoors.

"Children appear to benefit physically, mentally and even spiritually by reconnecting with nature, and we need to provide them with the opportunities to do so," said Georganne Nixon, First Lady of Missouri. "We are pleased to announce the cities of Joplin and Kirksville have successfully completed the challenge."

To successfully complete the challenge, the communities must meet several criteria, including increasing awareness of opportunities to connect to nature; providing outdoor activities and events; enhancing and creating outdoor areas; encouraging the use of nature-based curriculum in schools; and partnering with local organizations and businesses to connect children with nature. Joplin and Kirksville join the cities of Des Peres and Jackson, who completed the challenge this spring, and Springfield, who completed the challenge in 2011.

For more information about the Children in Nature Challenge, visit http://childreninnature.mo.gov/.

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Special promotion offers free breakfast at 11 Missouri state parks

Image via Wikipedia

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Sept. 21, 2011 -- Eating breakfast in the great outdoors always makes food taste better and Missouri State Parks is giving campers a great breakfast on Sept. 24. With Bed and Breakfast in Missouri State Parks, those who camp Friday evening Sept. 23 in 11 selected state parks will receive a free breakfast on Saturday morning, Sept. 24.

            State parks participating in the free breakfast promotion include Crowder State Park near Trenton; Knob Noster State Park near Knob Noster; Lake Wappapello State Park north of Poplar Bluff; Pomme de Terre State Park near Pittsburg; Robertsville State Park near Robertsville; Stockton State Park near Stockton; Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville; Trail of Tears State Park near Jackson; Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw; Mark Twain State Park near Stoutsville; and Wakonda State Park near La Grange.

            Breakfasts will vary from park to park but will include such favorites as biscuits and gravy, pancakes and sausages, French toast, Dutch oven egg casseroles, doughnuts, fruit, coffee and juice. Times will vary between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and locations will range from the campground amphitheater to the dining lodge. The breakfasts will be offered free of charge to registered campers. Lodging guests at Stockton, Thousand Hills and Mark Twain state parks also are invited to participate in the breakfasts.

            More details will be posted in the individual parks and campgrounds or may be found at mostateparks.com. For more information, call the individual parks or call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).

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Special opportunities add adventure to camping weekends in Missouri state parks

Image via Wikipedia JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 18, 2011 -- Are you looking for something new and special to add to your next camping adventure? Show-Me WOW Weekends will definitely add a WOW factor to your camping trip to Missouri state parks.

            Registered campers in seven state parks will have an added bonus during special weekends with programs to learn a new activity or enjoy a familiar one with friends and family. Activities include archery, bank fishing, kayaking, hiking, Dutch oven cooking, geocaching and more. These programs will provide even more ways to enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors.

            Show-Me WOW Weekends will be held Saturday, July 23 at Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw, Stockton State Park near Dadeville and Wakonda State Park near La Grange; Saturday, July 30 at Mark Twain State Park near Stoutsville and Robertsville State Park near Robertsvillle; and Saturday, Aug. 6 at Pomme de Terre State Park near Hermitage and Pittsburg, and Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville.

            "These programs will add a bonus to your camping experience, whether your idea of a weekend camping trip is a relaxing getaway or an exciting new adventure,"  said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.        The programs will be offered free of charge to registered campers. Lodging guests at Stockton, Thousand Hills and Mark Twain state parks also are invited to participate in these events.

            Campers who are interested in participating should sign up at the park from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday or 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday. All participating parks offer both basic campsites and those with electrical hookups. All regular camping fees apply to campers during the special weekends.

            For details on specific programs and times at participating state parks, contact 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.