WAYNEDALE OUTDOORS Q & A

WATER ACTIVITIES ABOUND

Free Hoosier Outdoor Experience

Sept. 18-19

Water activities at the free Hoosier Outdoor Experience, September 18-19, at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis will run the gamut. Those interested in kayak and canoe paddling, operating remote-controlled boats, learning about stream biology and enjoying the aquatic wildlife trailer display will get a chance to enjoy each—and much more—free, each day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Participants will be able to choose from two canoe/kayak experiences. Floats down Fall Creek and Delaware Lake will be offered. “The Delaware Lake experience will be designed for those who have never been in a kayak or canoe,” said Amanda Wuestefeld, coordinator of the aquatics area. “The participants will be able to experience the boats on the flat, still water of Delaware Lake to help learn the basics.”

More adventurous types can tackle a 1.3-mile float trip down Fall Creek. Experts from the Hoosier Canoe Club will assist.

During last year’s inaugural Hoosier Outdoor Experience, 13,300 children and adults got hands-on opportunities to try more than 50 outdoor activities. Now it’s your turn. Activities will be organized in five other areas besides aquatics, including cultural, equestrian, outdoors, shooting sports and wildlife. Shuttles will transport participants.

Parking, admission, activities, demonstrations and seminars at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience are free to the public, but online registration is requested to assist with planning/staffing of activities. To register, go to hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov and click on the orange registration icon. Watch there for event updates or on Facebook at Facebook.com/HoosierOutdoorExperience.

The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. The goal is to introduce people to outdoor activities they may have never tried. If you already enjoy outdoor sports and recreation and want to help others learn to enjoy them as much as you do, sign up to volunteer at www.in.gov/dnr/5412.htm or call 317/233-1002.

GREAT OUTDOOR FUN IN FALL

Music, good food, pumpkins, fossils, horseback riding, seaplanes, story-telling, archaeology digs, campsite decorating, and trick-or-treating are just a few of the things you can enjoy with your friends and camping neighbors this year. Every state park and reservoir offers at least one special event during the fall, and many properties have something more often. Make your camping reservation or plan to make a day of it and join in the fun.  Find details for all events at www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov.

Mississinewa Lake

Visit Autumn Camping Weekend I, Saturday, October 2, experience activities based on story book characters and people from our history. Cut wood with Babe the Blue Ox and his forester friend and visit the Kingdom of Far, Far Away with an obstacle course. Try to be Daniel Boone and test your marksmanship, even learn to tell your own story.

Ouabache State Park

Fall Festival with bat talks, hayrides, campsite decorating and trick or treating on October 29 – 30.

Salamonie Lake

Salamonie Trail Riders Rendezvous in the horsemen’s campground in Lost Bridge West SRA includes a mounted scavenger hunt, chiropractic care for horses, and a prairie steamer dinner September 17 – 19.

Celebrate Fall October 15 – 17 with trick-or-treating, campsite decorating, hayrides, and a hotdog and s’mores roast.  Call

(260) 468-2125 if you have any questions.