WAYNE – Ponca State Park has constructed educational and recreational programs for their visitors to enjoy this weekend. Pre-registration is required for all events. Visit or call the Park Office to register. Sign-up begins at 8 a.m. the morning of the program and ends 30 minutes before the start time. There are two available sessions for some programs. Some events have minimal costs, payment for those can be done at the Education Center. Limited spots are available for each program.
Ponca State Park has three programs planned for Friday, July 31. “Introduction to slingshot” is for ages five and older. It’ll be available from 9 – 9:45 a.m. or from 10:15 – 11 a.m. All equipment is provided. It costs $3 per shooter. Intro to slingshot will meet at the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex. “What’s the Scat?” is a program where participants will learn how to use scat to identify animals and what they eat. This program is offered from 1 – 1:45 p.m. or from 2:15 – 3 p.m. Meet at the Resource and Education Center for this free program. From 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. or from 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. will be a campfire cooking lesson. Learn how to make s’mores, toast, popcorn, food on a stick, and much more. Meet at the West Shelter for “Campfire Cooking.” The cost is $3 per kit.
Saturday, August 1, has plenty of events for the whole family. First will be “Native Plant Mud Ball.” There participants will learn how to make their own pollinator garden and build their own mud ball for planting. Materials for this program can be found at the Activity Shed at the northwest corner of the Resource and Education Center. This is recommended for ages five and up. Native Plant Mud Ball is offered from 9 a.m. until noon. “Introduction to archery” is offered from 9 – 10 a.m. and from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. All equipment is provided and this is for kids eight years or older (ages 8 – 12 require an adult). This program costs $5 per shooter and they will meet at the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex. “Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer” is a program available from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Complete all activities in the guide book to earn a badge. Participants will discover facts about science, nature, and history. The guide book can be found at the Activity Shed. This is recommended for ages five and older. From 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. or from 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. will be the “Critter Corner” program. Participants will learn all about wildlife found along the Missouri River. “Critter Corner” is a free program for all ages. They will meet at the pollinator garden on the east side of the Resource and Education Center. “Wood Duck” is a free program, recommended for ages seven and up. Meet at the West Shelter for this program that runs from 1 – 1:45 p.m. or from 2:15 – 3 p.m. At the “Wood Duck” program, there will be a reading of Jump, Little Wood Ducks by Marion Dane Bauer and a game of trivia.
The park organized two programs for Sunday, August 2. “Introduction to Atlatl” is offered fm 9 – 9:45 a.m. or from 10:15 – 11 a.m. Participants must be eight years or older. All equipment is provided. Introduction to Atlatl costs $3 per shooter and they will meet at the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex. “Birdology” is a program offered from noon until 2 p.m. Participants will find out what makes birds so cool. Pick up the guide book at the Activity Shed. This is recommended for ages eight and up.
Ponca State Park reminded visitors that their ability to keep the park open depends of visitor’s compliance with COIVD-19 health measures. For more information, visit https://www.outdoornebraska.gov/healthinfo/. Additional information can be found at the Ponca State Park Facebook page, or by calling their office at 402-755-2284.