You’re surrounded by a playground — nature’s playground.
Children going into first and second grade are invited to participate in a day camp teaching them all the fun activities to do in Nature’s Playground 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji.
Kids will check out native plants in the butterfly garden, will jump and run on the partially-completed nature playscape made of logs and stumps and will enjoy crafts and games outside.

The day camp is $10 for Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County members and $12 for non-members. Register by Tuesday, Aug. 12, by calling the nature center at 712-336-6352 and then stop by to fill out a camp form or download one at www.dickinsoncountynaturecenter.com and send it in. The camp has 15 spots.
Campers should wear appropriate outdoor shoes and clothing and please remember sunscreen, bug spray, a water bottle and a sack lunch. A snack will be provided.
Another way to get out into nature’s playground is to enjoy the new Ranger Rick’s Geocache Trails at the nature center. Stop by, grab a passport and use either your smartphone or a rented GPS unit to search for four geocaches on site.
At each geocache you’ll find a logbook to record your family members’ names, a stamp for your passport and a clue to guess which animal is represented at the cache. The geocache trail started last week and has already had several hits on geocaching.com.
“This is an exciting opportunity for families with kids of all ages to get outside,” Knudtson said. “It’s a form of recreation families can do together.”
Keep watch on our Facebook and website for four more caches to be placed at Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area, and once you’ve mastered our geocaches try to find more in the region or anywhere in the world you go.
For more information on the day camp or geocaching, call the nature center at 712-336-6352 or check out www.dickinsoncountynaturecenter.com.