TAKO provided food and refreshments. This event was free the kids and adults got outdoors to enjoy the great winter spectacle. This event was Co-sponsored by the Valley Mentoring Program and the Fayette County Conservation Board.

2009

November
TAKO Shooting Event

November 9, 9am- 3 pm

Children explored the maze, solved nature questions, and enjoyed friends in this fun outdoor activity. Dawn Amundsen, Fayette County’s Naturalist, shared her knowledge of the sights and sounds of autumn! And for the star gazers, Diana Walvatne from the Grout Museum guided viewers in spotting features of the night sky such as: the space station, constellations, planets, star formations, galaxies and more!

TAKO provided food and refreshments.

September
Fun in the Dark (Star Party)
September 19
Volga River State Park
We viewed planets, the moon, stars and other celestial bodies with the help of the Deanna Walvatne and David Voigts from the Black Hawk County Astronomy Club.

The Volga River Recreation Area is located in one of the most scenic parts of the state. Northeast Iowa is often referred to as "Little Switzerland" because of its rugged topography, geologic features and substantial timber cover which are in sharp contrast to the majority of the state's rolling hills, farmland and scattered stands of timber. The area lies just east of State Highway 150 and about five miles south of U.S. Highway 18.

Snacks were provided and the event was FREE and OPEN to the public.

July
“Rockin. Rocks”
Saturday, July 12
Gouldsburg Park
10 AM - 4 PM
All Ages
Located five miles north of Hawkeye or three miles north of the intersection of U.S. Hwy 18 and county road W14. We had a “treasure hunt,” stick boat races, and a rock presentation. Wading in the river in search of agates and other interesting rocks.

The picnic shelter at Echo Valley State Park east of West Union on Echo Valley Road was the location for a stream scavenger hunt. We explored two creeks with UIU Geologist Kata McCarville. We watched, listened, felt and smelled while searching for items on the list. We identified rocks, birds and plants.

Echo Valley is a one hundred-acre natural area, which was built by the Civilian Conservation corps in the 1930’s. The park contains many hand-built historical structures such as a dam, keystone archway, lime kiln, and shelter house. The Echo Valley Nature Trail (Dick Jensen Trail) and other hiking trails lead through this historical park. The area is located two miles east of West Union on Echo Valley Road.

This event was FREE and OPEN to the public.

A fun filled morning of art activities for area youth, ages 4 to 12.

Schedule:
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 till noon Art Activities
Noon - 12:30 FREE lunch (Hot dogs, sides, bars, lemonade)
12:30 till 1:00, show and tell

Sponsored by Hawkeye Conservation and TAKO.

June
Free Fishing Weekend
June 6, 10-2
& June 7, 10-3
"How Many Bites Can You Get?"

A Free Fishing Weekend and 2 fun-filled days. The kids enjoyed Iowa's Free Fishing Weekend, June 6th and June 7th, during which all Iowa residents can fish without a fishing license.

TAKO hosted two events. The first was at the lake at Volga River State Park from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM; the second event, co-sponsored by Volunteers for Youth, was on Sunday, June 7 at Fontana State Park from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Poles were provided by the Fayette County Conservation Board.

Lunch was provided and the event was FREE and OPEN to the public.

May
Learn to Fly Fish
May 2, 10am- 2pm
Houg Education Farm, Elgin

Kids learned how to fly fish with Take A Kid Outdoors (TAKO) and the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association (HFFA) at Houg Educational Farm near Elgin, Iowa.

HFFA presented information on Fly fishing.

Lunch was provided. This event was FREE and OPEN to the public.

HFFA is a non-profit organization of Iowa anglers and conservationists dedicated to the promotion of fly fishing, conservation education, and the protection of fly fishing waters and their inhabitants.

April 25, 10am- 2pm
Echo Valley State Park, Elgin

Fayette County Conservation presented information on Forest Management including information on recent tree removal and plantings. Kids participated in a scavenger hunt and had fun planting trees to commemorate Earth Day 2009!

The event was held Saturday, April 25th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Echo Valley State Park. Echo Valley is a one hundred-acre natural area, which was built by the Civilian Conservation corps in the 1930’s. The park contains many hand-built historical structures such as a dam, keystone archway, lime kiln, and shelter house. The Echo Valley Nature Trail (Dick Jensen Trail) and other hiking trails lead through this historical park.

March
Shed & Scavenger Hunt
March 21, 10am- 3pm
Houge Education Farm, Elgin

Hunt for that Big Rack you’ve been Dreaming about…in March!!!

Take A Kid Outdoors (TAKO) will be hosting a Shed Antler and Scavenger Hunt at the Houg Educational Farm near Elgin, Iowa. Andy Pugh, local outdoor enthusiast will be our guide for the day showing us where the best places to collect. In addition, you can try your luck with our scavenger hunt.

Spring is upon us so come out and enjoy the warm weather. Participants should dress in layers and be prepared for a range of weather conditions. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, drinking water, and any other items you may need to be comfortable in the outdoors. Participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera and/or binoculars.

The event will be held this Saturday, March 21st from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Houg Educational Farm, located at the intersection of Hazel and Hornet Road. Directions: Take Highway 18 east from West Union to Golden Road. Go east on Golden Road towards Elgin and turn south onto Hornet Road. Take Hornet Road to Hazel Road and follow signs.

Lunch will be provided. This event is FREE and OPEN to the public. Advance registration is requested, but not required. Please contact Judy Krieg at 319-330-3833 or at earthview01@aol.com if you plan to bring a large group as it helps with planning for equipment and food for participants.

Family Snow Fun
Sledding and Cross-Country Skiing!

Saturday, January 17, West Union Elementary School, West Union
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Saturday, January 24, Heritage Farm Park, Clermont
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Saturday, February 21, Wings Park Elementary School, Oelwein
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

The Fayette County Conservation Board and TAKO (Take A Kid Outdoors) offered both sledding fun and Cross-country Skiing. Lunch was provided for participants by TAKO.
Cross-country skiing participants learned about cross-country ski equipment, helpful recovery techniques and the kick and glide method.

2008

October
“Halloween Hike”
Saturday, October 25
4:30-7:00 PM
Maize Maze at the Gilbertson Conservation
Education Area
All Ages
The kids took a hike and were amazed at what creatures are in the corn at Halloween! They learned about bats, owls and other nightly creatures. Food, hot chocolate and hot apple cider were served. The Haunted Maze was sponsored by Country Heritage Community Maize Maze.

TAKO visited the Floyd County Fossil and Prairie Park near Rockford, Iowa, on Saturday, September 20 for a Fossil Fun Day celebrating Earth Science Week 2008. The Earth Science Week theme was “No Child Left Inside” and it was intended to encourage young people and their parents and mentors to learn about the geosciences by getting away from television and computers and going outdoors. (See link to article on home page).

Participants collected and identified fossils that they could take home. This location is one of only three on public lands in the U.S. that allows individuals to collect and keep fossils. Participants also learned about the human history of the area and investigated a native prairie at the park.

This activity was free and open to the public with a picnic lunch provided.

Fayette County Conservation Board Naturalist Dawn Amundsen and TAKO Board Member Kata McCarville worked together, with Floyd County Conservation Board staff, to plan the event.

Saturday, September 13
“Star Party”
7:00-9:00 PM
Volga River Recreational Area