Members

From our friends at the National Parks Service Office in Valentine:

Hello All,

You are receiving this email because you have either helped with this program in the past, or I thought you might like to join in this year. Outdoor Family Fun Day is a day of activities designed to encourage local youth to enjoy, appreciate, and love the outdoors. Activities in the past have included: canoeing, outdoor cooking, casting/fishing basics, archery, fossil casting, birding, and much more. Visitors will come and go as they please to each activity station except for canoeing, which requires registration first. This annual event draws about 100 visitors each year (and that's about as many as we can handle!).

I also want to introduce myself to those of you that I've only met in passing, I'm Bobbie Roshone and I will be stepping into Kristen's shoes this year for the event. I've assisting Kristen with this event for the last three years and hopefully will do it justice.

This year we are holding the event in May due to some logistical concerns from last year's weather, the partial government shutdown and also to tie in with Fee Free Day by the Nebraska State Parks and Game Commission. An added bonus is that the day also coincides with the Annual River Clean-Up and the Bird Hike being hosted at Smith Falls that morning.

This year's details:
Date: Saturday, May 18th
Time: open to the public from 12:00-3:00 (presenters/volunteers should expect to be there from about 10:00-4:00).
Location: Smith Falls State Park

As always, I am seeking individuals to:
lead activities (the same as last year or a different one--presenter's choice),
assist those leading activities,
assist with logistics and registration (those willing to help with registration get extra bonus points!), and,
paddle canoes. Canoe volunteers will take four separate 20-minute floats down the river with 2-3 children/adults in their canoe. Canoe volunteers are not out there on their own: eight canoes will float as a group, and be organized by NPS staff. The canoe floats, in particular, are frequently fast-paced with little time for a break. That said, you are rewarded in kids' giant smiles!
If you are able to help out this year, please confirm you can attend, let me know if you need an assistant to help, and let me know how many tables, chairs, and other supplies you may need. If you are driving a personal vehicle, rather than an organizational one, please let me know if you need a Nebraska State Parks day pass. We will take care of purchasing that for you.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Also if you know someone that might be interested in volunteering please forward this email on. If you haven't helped before, please feel free to call me to get additional details and/or clarification. With your participation, this day is an incredible way to let the outdoors capture the hearts and minds of our children. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Thank you,
Bobbie Jo

Bobbie Roshone
Park Ranger (Interpretation)
Niobrara National Scenic River
214 W. Highway 20
Valentine, NE 69201
Phone: 402-376-1901

"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday."

-A A Milne