Oakland Mills Nature Center opens this weekend, but certain programs postponed

The Oakland Mills Nature Center opens this weekend, June 6. The opening kicks off our new hours of 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and Tuesday and Thursdays from 4-6:30 p.m. We will follow group guidelines set forth by the state and please practice social distancing.

The environmental education staff for the Henry County Conservation Department will be providing FREE self-guided hikes at Oakland Mills County Park. These themed weekend hikes will be on display for two consecutive weekends before the next topic is revealed. The theme for this weekend's hike will be fish to coincide with the Iowa DNR's Free Fishing Weekend. Every hike will begin at Turtle Town next to the Oakland Mills Nature Center.

To help celebrate the DNR's free fishing weekend, Henry County Conservation will be hosting a young angler's Facebook event during this time. We want to encourage families to go fishing this weekend. Get started by picking up a free entry bag for your child this Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. Hurry there are only 50 bags available to kids age 16 and under. There is no pressure to get the biggest fish, we just want to see what the kids catch and families having fun. Pictures can be posted on our Facebook page. All details will be inside the entry bag. No fish necessary to participate. Please follow catch and release at the Oakland Mills Nature Center pond and all Iowa DNR fishing rules and regulations. Be safe and practice social distancing.

Summer youth day camps with the Henry County Conservation Department will be in the form of take home camp packets this year due to COVID-19. The first four day camps will be available to order at mycountyparks.com, Henry County, Events, starting ​June 22nd. The next four day camps will be available July 13th. Each camp is different and can be picked up at the Henry County Conservation office 3 business days after initial order. Each packet includes a video link about your subject, activities, and enough craft supplies for one child. Parents may be asked to supply things like markers, crayons, tape, or glue. Expect to take 2-3 hours to complete all the activities - just as if you were here at the nature center. There is a cost for the packets. Camps are designed for 2nd-3rd grade but elements for both younger and older children will be included. For more information contact the conservation office at 319-986-5067 or visit mycountyparks.com, Henry County, Events.

The Henry County Conservation Department also will have FREE campground activity posters available to all members of the public- not just registered campers. The first one is about fireflies and will be available at both the South Shore campground kiosk and the Waterworks campground kiosk on Friday, June 12. The next one will be about night senses and also will be available at both campground kiosks on June 20th. These posters are designed with the intent of the user to photograph it and do the activities on their own. Have your phone or camera ready! There will be two different subjects with activities available in July and another one in August.

The Iowa Bee program scheduled for Sunday, June 14, at the Oakland Mills Nature Center, is postponed until next year.

Henry County Conservation Department is happy to announce an adult day camp, Escape the Woods- Harry Potter Style!, on July 11th from 10-4 p.m. at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. Kids ages 14-17 years are welcome to attend with a participating adult 18 years or older. Participants will make brooms, potions, and other items in the morning. After lunch, those items may be used while trying to 'escape the woods.” There is a cost to attend. Note: This activity is similar to an escape room, except will be held outside!

With Kid's Day being canceled at the Henry County Fair, the Henry County Conservation Department will have a FREE virtual opportunity available during fair week. There will be a poster about 'Livestock Through the Ages” in the fairground's show ring for participants to photograph and do the activities at home.

Henry County Conservation's Women's Outdoor Day, originally scheduled for June 6, is postponed until July 25 from 10-4 p.m. at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. This program is for all adult women who want to learn and practice outdoor skills such as bowfishing, archery, and canoeing. Girls ages 12-17 years are welcome to attend with a participating adult 18 years or older. There is a cost to attend. Lunch is provided.

The adult fishing program scheduled for Henry County Conservation's ACORN club on June 4 was canceled. The next ACORN activity will be July 30 at 10 a.m. at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. The topic is Iowa Birds and participants will make a small bird feeder or bird house to take home. This is a free program. No preregistration necessary.