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A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
Wildwood, Mo. — People and families wanting to discover nature and get involved in outdoor activities will have a chance to get started on the right path, literally, at "A Day in the Woods" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 6. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is sponsoring the event, which takes place at its Rockwoods Reservation.
“A Day in the Woods will help people get ready for fall family outings with naturalist-guided hikes and activity stations,” explained Kevin McCarthy, who manages the Rockwoods’ interpretive site.
Hikes will be scheduled each hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the exception of noon, and require registration in advance. Each hike will be centered on a specific topic and lead by knowledgeable staff who will help mentor beginning nature enthusiasts. The educational hikes will cover topics such as nature photography, beginning birding, compass navigation and pond life. Each hike will run about 45 minutes and will be easy-to-moderate in difficulty.
“The purpose of the event is to help folks discover Missouri’s forests and the beauty of the natural world by taking a walk in the woods,” said McCarthy.
In addition to the hikes, there will be nature exploration stations throughout the day, which do not require registration. Topic will include wild edibles and outdoor cooking. There will also be kids’ crafts stations, photo opportunities with Smokey Bear, and a campfire ring for relaxing. Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch and take advantage of the numerous picnic facilities at Rockwoods. Scout groups are also welcome. Participants can come for the entire day, or any part of it.
“This is a perfect outing for families looking to learn more outdoor knowledge to take with them on their next campout or hiking trip,” McCarthy said.
A Day in the Woods is a free event. To register for the hikes, call Rockwoods Reservation at 636-458-2236. Rockwoods is located off Highway 109 in Wildwood, between I-44 and Highway 100.
