GFP News - July 26, 2012

  • Black Hills Raptor Center Presentations at Outdoor Campus-East
  • State Parks Plan for Fun-Filled Weekend
  • Newton Hills Hosts 33rd Annual Sioux River Folk Music Festival
  • State Parks Offers Summer Nature Camps For Kids

Black Hills Raptor Center Presentations at Outdoor Campus-East

The Black Hills Raptor Center will bring several of their birds for free presentations during Outdoor University at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at The Outdoor Campus-East in Sioux Falls.

They will have a screech owl, an American kestrel, red-tailed hawk and a great horned owl. The event is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required. For more information about the event, e-mail TOC@state.sd.us or visit www.outdoorcampus.org.

The Outdoor Campus is located at 4500 South Oxbow Ave. in Sertoma Park.

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State Parks Plan for Fun-Filled Weekend

PIERRE, S.D. - No time to get away? Take a mini vacation at a South Dakota state park. Several special events that offer activities for the entire family will take place soon across the state.

  • 33rd Annual Sioux River Folk Festival, Newton Hills State Park near Canton. Newton Hills State Park is hosting three days of folk music, dancing and family fun during the annual Sioux River Folk Festival. The festival starts Friday, Aug. 3, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 5. Info: 605-987-2263, www.fotm.org
  • Riverman/Riverwoman Sprint Triathlon, Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre, Aug. 4, 8 a.m. CDT. Compete as an individual or as part of a team in this annual event. Take a 0.4-mile swim along swim beach, an 18-mile bike ride on SD Hwy 34, and a 3.5-mile run on the island trail. Info: 605-773-2885
  • Big Sioux Bustle - GFP/Geocaching Race, Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon, Aug. 4, 9 a.m. CDT. Individuals and teams of geocachers will search the park on foot using GPS units to find hidden caches, each leading to the next. This is a timed race with prizes for the top three teams. Info: 605-582-7243
  • Yertle the Turtle: Reptile Program, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m. CDT. What is the difference between amphibians and reptiles? Do reptiles live in South Dakota? Come learn all about these misunderstood creatures. Info: 605-688-2985
  • Kayaking for Fun, North Point Recreation Area near Pickstown, Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m. CDT. Learn how to kayak safely and efficiently. Kayaks will be provided. Bring your own personal floatation device, if possible. Info: 605-487-7046
  • Bean Bag Tourney, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. CDT. Bring your game face to this bean bag tournament! We have a limited number of bean bag sets, so first come, first served. All ages are welcome, and prizes will be awarded to both participants and winners. Info: 605-987-2263
  • Life on the Plains, Roy Lake State Park near Lake City, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. CDT. Explore the life of early Dakota homesteaders, and make candles using the beach sand as the candle mold. All ages welcome, though an adult helper is necessary for young participants. Info: 605-448-5701
  • Steady Ed Disc Golf Tourney, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre, Aug. 4, 10:45 a.m. CDT. This annual disc golf tournament is held in honor of 'Steady' Ed Headrick, the father of disc golf. All ages and ability levels are encouraged to attend. Info: 605-223-7722
  • Dutch Oven Gathering, Lake Thompson Recreation Area near Lake Preston, Aug. 4, 3:30 p.m. CDT. Dutch oven cookers will prepare and demonstrate a variety of dishes. The program will be followed by a campground potluck at 5 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. Info: 605-847-4893
  • Mr. Brown Can MOO, Can You?, Chief White Crane Recreation Area near Yankton, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. CDT. Meet at Chief White Crane amphitheater for an educational program packed with fascinating information about South Dakota mammals. Info: 605-668-2985
  • Evening with the Owls Walk in the Park, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre, Aug. 4, 9 p.m. CDT. Enjoy a walk and talk on South Dakota owls. Info: 605-223-7722
  • Fox in Socks Night Hike, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, Aug. 4, 9:30 p.m. CDT. Bring flashlights as we prowl the Gavins Nature Trail at night and learn about South Dakota night creatures. Meet at the Gavins Nature Trailhead. Info: 605-668-2985

A park entrance license is required to enter all parks. Participants are encouraged to wear suitable shoes, dress for the weather and apply insect repellant.

For more information on South Dakota State Parks, please visit www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-773-3391.

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Newton Hills Hosts 33rd Annual Sioux River Folk Music Festival

CANTON, S.D. - Newton Hills State Park near Canton is preparing for three days of music, dancing and family fun during the 33rd annual Sioux River Folk Festival, starting Friday, Aug. 3, and running through Sunday, Aug. 5.

The festival kicks off Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. with performances by Burlap Wolf King, Ruby Magpie, Charlie Parr, The Roe Family Singers and The Hazel Miller Band.

The entertainment line-up continues on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. with shows by The Roe Family Singers, Ruby Magpie, Charlie Parr and The Hazel Miller Band.

During the break at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, a campground contest, "15 Minutes of Folk Fame," will be held welcoming all acoustic vocal and/or instrumental solo, duo, and group acts. The winning act will have 15 minutes to play in front of the Saturday night crowd and open for the big closing set! That act will also receive $33.33 and original Headley Eyesore artwork signed by Headley himself. For additional information on the contest please visit: http://www.fotm.org . To register, please send an email that describes your music, along with contact information to info@fotm.org and include "folk music contest" in the subject line.

The Saturday evening session will also include sets by Jim & Jay, Charlie Parr, The Roe Family Singers, Ruby Magpie and The Hazel Miller Band.

Music-inspired workshops will also be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon.

On Sunday, Aug. 5, the festival features The Roe Family Singers and The Hazel Miller Band in a gospel show starting at 11:30 a.m.

Advanced tickets are available through the following outlets: Garden of Eat'n in Canton; The Coop Natural Foods (2504 S. Duluth Ave.) & String Theory Music (3204 S. Walts Ave.) in Sioux Falls. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate or by mail. Additional information is available online at www.fotm.org/festival or by calling Gaynor at 605-987-2582.

Newton Hills State Park is located six miles south of Canton along County Road 135 or 12 miles east of Interstate 29's Exit 56. A park entrance license is required on all vehicles entering the park. Daily and annual entrance licenses can be purchased at South Dakota state park offices or at the park welcome center.

For more information on South Dakota state parks and for a calendar of events, visit www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-773-3391.

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State Parks Offers Summer Nature Camps For Kids

PIERRE, S.D. - Five South Dakota state parks are hosting nature day camps for kids ages 7-12. The camps are a great way for kids to explore surrounding recreation areas and focus on the outdoors.

Oakwood Lakes State Park near Volga is hosting a day camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Bring a sack lunch and meet at the welcome center for an afternoon of games, crafts, and campfire cooking! Call 605-627-5441 to register.

"Nature Explorers" is the theme at Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs on Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to noon MDT. Does catching insects, discovering tracks, smelling flowers, identifying animal droppings and looking at birds through binoculars sound fun to you? If so, come to Shelter House 2 and spend the morning being a naturalist and exploring nature! Wear water shoes, bring a water bottle, sunscreen and a snack. Call 605-745-6996 for more information or to register.

North Point Recreation Area near Wagner is hosting a camp at Lake Wagner City Park on Thursday, Aug. 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. Activities may include disc golf, kite flying, arts and crafts, kayaking, archery and nature exploration. Everyone will have the opportunity to get wet and muddy! Call 605-487-7046 for more information.

"Pioneers" will teach participants about South Dakota pioneers with a hands-on lesson, craft project, hike/walk and games at Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon on Aug. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. CDT. This qualifies as a Junior Naturalist program. Call 605-582-7243 for more information and to register.

Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Arlington is hosting a day camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT on Aug. 9. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a day of outdoor activities. Call 605-983-5085 to register.

While the camps are geared for kids ages 7-12, younger children may attend if accompanied by an adult. Kids are reminded to wear clothing appropriate for the weather, and also bring bug spray, drinking water and shoes comfortable for walking. Sandals are not appropriate. No snacks or refreshments will be provided, but kids are welcome to bring their own. There is no fee for the camp; however a park entrance license is required to enter state parks and recreation areas.

For a complete list of state park events, visit South Dakota state parks on the web at www.gfp.sd.gov

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