Paddling skills offered in Missouri State Parks

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Have you ever wanted to try kayaking but didn’t know where to begin? Your summer just became more fun because Missouri State Parks is offering to teach you how to paddle and have a safe enjoyable time on the water.

Each weekend in July, park staff will offer free kayaking instruction in a Missouri state park. For its Learn2 Paddle Program, Missouri State Parks will supply the kayaks, paddles, life jackets and instructors. Participants should bring appropriate swimwear and footwear and an eagerness to learn a new skill.

“Once you understand the basics of kayaking, it opens an entirely new world of fun for you on the water. It can make any visit to a state park even more enjoyable,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Learn2 Paddle Program is being offered at the following locations and dates:

• July 7 – Long Branch State Park near Macon.
• July 14 – Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw.
• July 21 – Finger Lakes State Park near Columbia.
• July 28 – Wakonda State Park near La Grange.

Each state park will have three two-hour classes available. Class times are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and 3 to 5 p.m. The classes are free but registration is required by 5 p.m. June 28. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will receive a confirmation email with additional information and the timeslot they should attend.

The Learn2 Paddle Program is part of series of Learn2 programs sponsored by Missouri State Parks this summer. For more information or to register, go to mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Informational meeting planned for Wakonda State Park May 26

Missouri state parks and historical districts  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will hold an informational meeting on Saturday, May 26. The meeting will be held from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Boulder Lake Campground, near the showerhouse.

Representatives from the park and other staff from the Division of State Parks will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the current status of the park. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its services.

The informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by the department to ensure the public has input on services and facilities provided in state parks and historic sites.

Wakonda State Park is located three miles south of La Grange on State Park Road. People requiring special accommodations or services to attend the meeting can call at the park at (573) 655-2280 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Informational meeting planned Sept. 30 for Wakonda State Park

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., SEPT. 26, 2011 -- The public is invited to an informational meeting Friday, Sept. 30, to discuss issues related to Wakonda State Park near La Grange. The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the park's beach house.

            Representatives from the park will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the current status of the park. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its services.

            The informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the public has input on services and facilities provided in state parks and historic sites.

            People requiring special accommodations or services to attend the meeting can call at the park at 573-655-2280 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources 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 the web atmostateparks.com.

Camping Information

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Special promotion offers free breakfast at 11 Missouri state parks

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 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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Weekend promotes camping in Missouri state parks

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 JEFFERSON CITY, MO., AUG. 16, 2011 -- Summer is not over yet and a family camping trip to a Missouri state park is a great way to celebrate the season.

            On Aug. 26-28, anyone who camps two nights in any of 10 selected state park campgrounds will receive a coupon for a free night of camping on their next visit to any Missouri state park campground. The coupon can be redeemed for a campsite of the same type (basic, electric, electric-water or full-hookup) or may be upgraded for an additional fee. The promotional coupon is good for one year from the date of purchase.
 
             State parks participating in the promotion include Stockton State Park near Stockton; Pomme de Terre State Park near Hermitage; Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw; Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville; Wakonda State Park near La Grange; Mark Twain State Park near Stoutsville; Trail of Tears State Park near Jackson; Lake Wappapello State Park near Williamsville; Robertsville State Park near Robertsville; and Knob Noster State Park near Knob Noster.

            "There's plenty of time to make more camping memories with your family and friends. Camping in a Missouri state park campground is a great value and this special promotion offers an awesome opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors in state parks," said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Department of Natural Resources.

            Campgrounds at all 10 state parks offer both basic and electric campsites and a few also offer electric-water or full-hookup sites. Sites may be reserved in advance or obtained on a first-come, first-served basis.  The campgrounds offer modern showers and other conveniences and all parks offer other activities, such as water recreation, picnic sites and trails.

            For more information on Missouri state parks, 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.