Henry County Conservation offers many summer activities

MT. PLEASANT — With summer in full swing, the Henry County Conservation Department is keeping busy with events at Oakland Mills, educational outreach at public libraries, and hosting campers in the park.

“Summer camps are now in full force!” Henry County Conservation Naturalist Shania Hansen shared in a newsletter. “I can’t believe we are about halfway through the summer season.”

Last week’s summer camps at Oakland Mills gave children the opportunity to canoe in the little pond at the park, experience a day in the life of a naturalist, and take in all things traditional summer camp.

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During the Day in the Life camp, children helped complete daily animal chores and received a behind-the-scene look at the nature center and what exactly a naturalist does.

Those that attended Camp Oakland also enjoyed canoeing like those that attended the shorter canoeing camp earlier in the week. Additionally, they cooked s’mores, took a night hike, camped in tents, made T-shirt bags, and shot archery.

The next summer camp on the schedule for Oakland Mills is the Dinosaur Discovery camp scheduled for Monday, July 8 from 9 a.m.-noon and costs $12 per child. This camp is limited to the fist 24 children. Children must be six years or older to participate in this camp which will include games, crafts, and learning about dinosaurs.

Summer camp activities will continue at the park only a few days later with the Mud Creek Expedition from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This camp also costs $12 per child and is limited to children 10 years old and up. Children attending Mud Creek Expedition will enjoy an afternoon filled with hunting for geodes, learning about how streams are formed, and eating lunch in the woods.

Participants should bring their own lunch and meet at Mud Creek located at 2570 312th Street, Danville. This camp is limited to 15 children.

In addition to all these fun opportunities at Oakland Mills, Henry County Conservation Department continues to partner with local libraries to provide educational activities in communities throughout the county.

Look for Henry County Naturalist Kendall Prehn at the HJ Nugen Public Library in New London Tuesday, July 30 as she shares all about Cicadas.

Thanks to the careful planning of the Henry County Conservation Department, fun at Oakland Mills is not limited to children this summer.

An event designed for children over the age of 12 and adults is back by popular demand; the Dutch oven Cooking activity will return Tuesday, July 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. This second educational activity will include new seasonal Dutch oven recipes for just $10 per person.

The Dutch oven Cooking event is limited to 12 participants and registration is due before July 2 at 5 p.m.

Adults and children also will enjoy the Rocks of Iowa educational activity scheduled a little later in July on the 23rd from 6-7:30 p.m.

Participants will explore silicates, sandstones, and shales in this hands-on program led by a local rock expert. They also will learn how Iowa’s rocks came to be in fields, streams, and parking lots. All participants will leave this event with a souvenir stone.

The Conservation Department also offers self-guided hikes for those looking for something to do this summer at their own pace. The newest hike Habitats of Oakland Mills launched June 21 and will continue to be available to interested parties through July 11.

To enjoy this hike, and other self-guided hikes throughout the year, visit Turtle Town in Oakland Mills Park next to the Nature Center. At Turtle Town participants will receive further instructions on the next leg of their journey.

For a little child-free time this summer, the conservation department also will offer a Women. Woods. Wine. event July 18 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Women 21 years old and up can enjoy a night of archery at the June Women. Woods. Wine event scheduled for Thursday, July 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. Attendees will learn from a nationally qualified expert after enjoying a social time with provided alcohol. Participants may also bring their own alcohol to the event.

Preregistration for this event must be completed by July 16.

Registration for Henry County Conservation events and summer camps at Oakland Mills Park can be completed at www.mycountyparks.com by visiting the Oakland Mills Park events page.

For those just stopping by Oakland Mills, they can always enjoy the trails throughout the park, play disc golf, or visit the Nature Center if they stop on Saturdays. The Nature Center is open from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays or by appointment.

The park also offers plenty of camping opportunities with two smaller cabins and two larger cabins available for rent and three campgrounds for tent or recreational vehicle camping.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com