Families in Arkansas looking for engaging and educational activities this summer have a wealth of options at their disposal, courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith and the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale are offering a range of free programs designed to connect families with the great outdoors.
Fort Smith Nature Center Activities
At the Fort Smith Nature Center, families can participate in a variety of activities from Thursday through Saturday. Thursdays feature educator-led fishing at Wells Lake starting at 9 a.m., where the center provides fishing poles, bait, and tackle at no cost. Additionally, every day at 2 p.m., visitors can watch the center’s animal feeding sessions, and at 2:30 p.m., partake in make-and-take animal crafts that change weekly.
Fridays and Saturdays offer canoeing and kayaking on Wells Lake from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., weather permitting. The center supplies life jackets and boats, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all ages. Fridays also include an indoor animal spotlight hour at 2:30 p.m., focusing on Arkansas-native wildlife, sometimes featuring live animal guests. Saturdays continue with canoeing and kayaking, followed by archery at 2:30 p.m.
Springdale Nature Center Offerings
The Springdale center complements these offerings with its own set of free activities, including archery, marksmanship programs, and access to nearby trails. It also boasts a marksmanship center, air rifle programs, and a 3D archery range for public use.
Karen Westcamp-Johnson, who manages the Fort Smith center, emphasizes that these programs are designed for family participation, not as drop-off services. The goal is for families to learn and enjoy together, fostering skills that parents can pass on to their children.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
Both centers also offer adult classes, such as wild foraging and boater education, as part of their mission to teach outdoor skills to all ages. These free programs are funded through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s conservation sales tax and other revenue sources, ensuring no cost to participants.
Families interested in exploring these opportunities can find more information and register for certain programs through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s online event portal. With a focus on family involvement and outdoor education, these nature centers provide a valuable resource for Arkansas residents looking to enrich their summer experiences.
Original reporting: 5NEWS / KFSM (Fort Smith) — read the source article.
