August Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshops scheduled

Two Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshops have been scheduled for August offering ladies an opportunity to gain outdoor skills that will last a lifetime.

On Sat., Aug. 6 from noon to 5:30 p.m., the Lee Kay Center, located at 6000 West 2100 South in Salt Lake City is presenting handgun basics for women, where participants will learn the fundamentals of handgun safety and shooting. Handgun Safety Certifications will be awarded at the conclusion of this clinic and a variety of handguns will be available for participants to shoot.

Participants may bring their own firearms with prior approval. Cost is $20 and includes instruction, class materials, eye and ear protection, range fees, use of firearms, handgun safety certification and refreshments. Participants interested in obtaining a concealed-carry permit may also do so with permission from instructor prior to class.

An overnight tipi experience and service project is scheduled Aug. 19 and 20 at the American West Heritage Center in Wellsville, near Logan. Participants should arrive at the American West Center by 5 p.m. on Friday and will have an opportunity to sleep in a tipi and learn about the customs and cultures of the Old American West. A Dutch-oven dinner is provided that evening. Activities include primitive food preparation, primitive sewing, bead work, weaving, primitive games and American Indian dance. Cost is $40 to participate. At noon on Saturday, participants will travel to the Hardware Ranch to help with a service project, assembling bird houses to encourage bird nesting along Curtis Creek. Lunch is provided.

To register for these events, Contact Nancy Hoff, BOW coordinator at (801) 560-9605 or email her at NancyHoff@utah.gov

Campsites available for Pioneer Day Weekend

It is not too late to reserve a campsite at a Utah state park for the Pioneer Holiday weekend. Several parks still have campsites available, and reservations may be made up to two days before your arrival. Antelope Island, South Eden at Bear Lake and Deer Creek have spots available along with Escalante, Fremont Indian and Goblin Valley.

Other parks with open sites include Green River, Huntington, walk-in only sites at Jordanelle, and Kodachrome. Otter Creek, Quail Creek, Red Fleet, Sand Hollow, Scofield currently have open sites along with Snow Canyon Steinaker, Starvation, Utah Lake, Wasatch Mountain, Willard, and Painted Rock and beach areas at Yuba.

To make a reservation or for more information call (801) 322-3770 from within the Salt
Lake calling area or (800) 322-3770 from outside the area. Visitors can also see the website at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov
State Park Events scheduled

The big Pioneer Holiday weekend offers many activities where recreationists can celebrate Utah's rich heritage and have fun together as a family. Provided are a few select opportunities.

July 23 and 25 Antelope Island State Park- Join park staff from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., for a pioneer celebration at the Fielding Garr Ranch, one of Utah's earliest ranches. Learn pioneer skills including how to make handkerchief dolls, candle dipping and rug braiding. Play horseshoes, badminton and other games. Learn how mountain men such as Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith and Antelope Island's own Daddy Stump lived in the park's mountain man camp. For more information, call (801) 773-2941.

July 23 Rock Cliff Nature Center/ Jordanelle State Park- Junior Ranger program where children ages six to10 are invited to the Nature Center from 11 a.m. to noon to learn about what makes the weather. Children will earn a badge and certificate. For more information, call (435) 782 3030.

July 23 Rock Cliff Nature Center/ Jordanelle State Park- Campfire program featuring Hawks up Close. Have you ever seen a hawk, eagle or falcon up close? If not, here's your chance. Join park staff and volunteers from HawkWatch, International for a program about birds of prey and come see some up close. Program begins at 7 p.m. at the amphitheater. For more information, call (435) 782-3030.

July 23 Wasatch Mountain State Park- Junior Ranger Program featuring Frogs, Toads and Turtles. Children age six to 12 are invited to learn what it means to be a Junior Ranger, as well as other cool stuff about nature. Earn a Junior Ranger Badge and Certificate. Meet at the Huber Grove from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, call (435) 654-1791.

July 23 Wasatch Mountain State Park- Campfire Program on Cougars- Join Park Ranger Dawn Wuthrich for a discussion about cougars. Learn where they live, what they do, and how to avoid problems if you come in contact with one. Program begins at 7 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. For more information, call (435) 654-1791.

Boating Responsibilities noted

With an ever-increasing demand on Utah's lakes, reservoirs and rivers, boaters have the responsibility to learn, practice and advocate safe, courteous and ethical use of the state's waterways. Responsibilities include learning and obeying the boating safety laws and rules, being environmentally conscious, and sharing the waterways with other boaters, swimmers, and anglers.

Recent surveys indicate that more than 80 percent of Utah's registered boat owners have not completed a boating safety course. This implies that a vast majority of Utah's boaters are unaware of the basic safety equipment and navigation rules needed to operate a boat. Not only will successful completion of a boating safety course increase knowledge and participation of boating safety, it can also reduce the premiums on boat insurance.

A vessel is any type of watercraft used as a means of transportation on water, which includes canoes, kayaks, float tubes, inner tubes, kick boats, rubber rafts, and many inflatable toys. Every vessel used on Utah's waterways must carry basic safety equipment including the following-

- Wearable, Type I, II or III, properly sized US Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD) for each person on board the vessel

- Bailing device, such as a bucket or bilge pump

- Spare propulsion, such as a spare paddle, spare oar or spare motor

- Sound producing device, such as a horn or whistle

- Type B, marine approved, fire extinguisher for motorboats with gasoline or diesel engines

- At least one Type IV throwable PFD for vessels 16 feet or longer in length

- Navigation lights for operating a boat between sunset and sunrise

Remember, a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD must be worn by anyone under age 13, those boating on a river, on a personal watercraft (PWC), and anyone being towed behind a boat.

For more information about boating safety courses in Utah, or for a free copy of Utah's Boating Course, visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov or call (801) 538-2628 within the Salt Lake calling area or 1-800-743-3792 from outside the Salt Lake calling area.

Ogden Nature Center features Everett Ruess

The Ogden Nature Center will feature Everett Ruess with a documentary film and an art exhibit on July 21.

In 1931 Everett Ruess, an ambitious young LA artist, hitch hiked to Arizona and walked into the vast canyon country of the Southwest, alone. Three years later, Ruess no longer cared about artistic fame. He wrote: "As to when I shall revisit civilization, it will not be soon, I think. I prefer the deep peace of the wilderness to the discontent bred by cities." Then Ruess scratched the name NEMO (no one) on a cave wall in the Escalante canyons and vanished at the age of twenty. When Ruess disappeared, a legend emerged. The film is a one hour documentary drama by Diane Orr, titled "Lost Forever: Everett Ruess."

This movie screening is scheduled July 21 at 6 p.m. and is $3 admission. The art exhibit featuring Ruess works continues through July 29. The love and respect Everett felt for the places he roamed were expressed in his poems and essays, as well as in the images he carved for his precious block prints.

Summer Nature Camps offered by Ogden Nature Center

Preschool Discovery Camps for youngsters ages 3-5 await at the Ogden Nature Center where they will play games and learn about animals that live in fields, forests, water, air and underground. Taught by Ogden Nature Center teacher/naturalists, the camp is scheduled from July 25-29, 9-11:30 a.m., fees are $75 and registrations can be made by phone at (801) 621-7595.

In addition there is a Nature Trek Camp- Expressions in Nature, for youth ages 6-8 and 9-11. This camp will teach creative ways to find expression in nature. Art activities, writing and traditional camp experiences taught by Ogden Nature Center teacher/naturalists. Scheduled Aug. 1-5, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mon. through Wed. and a Thurs. night sleepover starting at 4 p.m.. Fees are $150 and a sack lunch. Call to register at (801) 621-7595. The Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 W. 12th Street in Ogden.