Events

This Scouting event is free and will offer Scouts and their families the opportunities to test their outdoor skills, work toward a number of conservation-related merit badges* and explore the diversity of career opportunities with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Found throughout the grounds at PVCNC, activity stations will help Scouts and their families appreciate nature and acquire valuable skills they can use in the future. Activities include:

· Fire Building

· Outdoor Cooking

· Compass and Orienteering

· MO Plant and Animal ID

· Crafts

· and more!

Activity stations will be both indoors and outdoors. Participants may want to bring a refillable water bottle and wear sturdy shoes. Registration is required. To secure your spots, register everyone who will be attending this event (including children).

*Scout leaders should note that MDC will offer activities that may be applied towards merit badges, but the department is not authorized to sign off on badges. It’s recommended that participants working toward badges bring their own counselors to certify them.

Snakes and lizards are really amazing animals. Because they are reptiles, they are a much different than the animals we are most familiar with. Come and discover many incredible things about the snakes and lizards that live in Missouri. There will be live snakes that are found in Missouri to look at and even touch. We will be taking a hike on The Fallen Oak Trail (.7 miles) and try to find some snakes and lizards in their natural habitat.

Explore and learn about the unique and diverse ecosystems of Valley View Glades Natural Area with an MDC naturalist. Valley View Glades Trail is a marked loop trail that runs 2.6 miles through the glade and an oak-hickory forest. Terrain is moderate and has several uphill and downhill stretches. Trail is unpaved and not ADA accessible. Please dress for the weather. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, water, a hat, and sunscreen, socks that cover the ankles, and bug spray are recommended. Trekking poles would be useful, and extra trekking poles will be available to use if desired. There are no restrooms at the trailhead, and closest public restrooms are in the town of Hillsboro about 10 minutes away. For the comfort and safety of all participants, dogs will not be welcome on this guided hike.

Children are welcome at guardian’s discretion. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by trusted adult.

Please register each person attending separately.

Our Beginning Handgun program includes handgun fundamentals, operation, safety, maintenance, and safe storage. We start with classroom instruction then move to the range for a live-fire session. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment are provided however, you may bring your own handgun and ammunition to the live-fire session. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed in the Education Center.

This is your chance to meet a real snake at Powder Valley. Join us in the lobby to learn about the role snakes play in Missouri and our everyday lives.

This program will cover what to do to get started shooting handguns. We will cover handgun fundamentals, including handgun actions, operation, safety, shooting techniques. After the classroom portion we will head to the range to practice what was just taught. All firearms and ammunition will be provided. If you would like to bring your own handgun you may bring one handgun and you must provide your own ammunition. Please leave your ammunition in your vehicle until time to shoot. This program is for individuals age 16 and up.

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to properly chase catfish in your local body of water? We have the class for you! This is a single class that is made to teach you everything you will need to know. The class will begin as any other, only catch is, you will already be fishing! Fishing rods will be set up in wait as we teach and talk about catfish. We will display the different types of catfish, the different types of rods, reels, and gear used to catch catfish, and also teach you what kind of baits to use and where!

Do your little ones enjoy being in nature? Appreciate the natural world through a story, songs, movement, and play as you sit under the canopy for a “nature” adventure. Come see the topic we are exploring this month. Younger children and siblings are welcome. Meet the naturalist at the West End Picnic Site. Please dress for the weather.

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.