By Sarah Kocher I don’t know if you could really call it a treasure hunt, but the prize glistens in the sun nonetheless. I’m out with amateur beekeeper Scott Flynn on a search for his queen bee; she’s been MIA for days now, and hives without queens are like zombies: scary, with little direction and less staying power. Needless to say, she’s a queen for a reason. I’m out with my uncle researching beekeeping, and I have conveniently forgotten that …

The Bowfishing Mentor Program at Ponca State Park is currently open for registration. The course will be taught over four nights, June 4, 11, 18 and 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. Limited to 25 registrants, students must be 10 years old as of January 1, 2015. Students will learn basic bowfishing skills, including knowledge on archery equipment; how to find, identify, and shoot fish; and cleaning and cooking fish. The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Big Game Conservation Association and …

Children and parents are invited to participate in the Crofton Kids Fishing Clinic on April 25, 4-5 p.m. The clinic will be held at Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area, Weigand Area, near Crofton. Clinic is limited to 50 children (under 16 years old). Certified Aquatic Education fishing instructors from the Nebraska Walleye Association Kids Fishing Clinics Charity, Inc. and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be available to instruct parents and child on casting, knot tying, bait, …

Dave Kinnamon, park superintendent at Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area (SRA), has had his share of experience with fire. Before accepting his current position at the SRA near Crofton in late 2013, Kinnamon served as park superintendent at Chadron State Park in western Nebraska, where he helped to combat the forest fires of 2012. Prior to leaving Chadron, Kinnamon helped the park obtain a surplus fire truck from the City of Seward Fire and Rescue to allow park …

Conservation officers Alexandra Frohberg and Tom Zimmer made a surprise visit to Covington Elementary in South Sioux City recently. As part of a class assignment, third grade student Kevin Castro wrote to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to invite staff to visit his class and to read. “The students love to have guest readers come in, and I love to show how reading is a part of life, even after school,” said Castro’s third grade teacher Sara Friedrichsen. “So …

Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, one of America’s best preserved frontier forts, will soon host dozens of military and civilian living historians and reenactors. On April 18-19, step back in time to 1865 to experience a day in the life of soldiers and civilians living on an army post on the Great Plains. Events will take place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. Members of the Great Plains Garrison, a coalition of regional reenactors and …

March is Nebraska’s peak month for viewing waterfowl. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the migration at Ponca State Park through bird viewing tours, nature hikes, bird-related activities and crafts every Saturday in March. Park lodging will be offered at 30% discount. Ponca State Park is listed as an Important Bird Area in Nebraska by the National Audubon Society, and Nebraska wetlands, including those along the Missouri River, may experience more than 500,000 ducks and geese this month. More than …

The 1st Annual Women’s Wellness Weekend held at Ponca State Park on January 16-18 saw a tremendous turnout of 75 participants. The event featured a variety of seminars related to women’s wellness including exercise, nutrition, holistic health, and outdoor recreation. Guests participated in exercise sessions such as Zumba, Nia, yoga, and Pilates; wellness sessions included art therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbs, and meditation; and outdoor activities such as Dutch oven cooking, birding and hiking. Additional activities included Friday and Saturday night …

Ponca State Park is offering a healthy start to your new year with a “First Day Hike”. Guests are welcome to take part in unguided hikes or in a scavenger hunt-style hike. Scavenger hunt forms can be picked up at the Resource and Education Center. At 1:30 p.m., join park naturalists for a guided hike on Bigley’s Ravine Trail. Participants should dress accordingly and bring a water bottle, camera and/or binoculars. At the conclusion of the hike, stop in at …

It’s time for Winterfest at Ponca State Park! Join us this Saturday, December 27 for a variety of winter activities, including the National Championship Fruitcake Fling and 3K Yule Log Quest.