Public Programs/Events

EVENT FULL- A waiting list has been started for this event. Follow this link to get put on the waiting list: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ETJP0qSXAPrav4

This is a fun-filled Thursday with sessions that may include: shotgun shooting, air rifles, archery, outdoor cooking, wrist rockets, deer hunting lessons, canoeing, improving outdoor skills, and much more!

This event is cosponsored with 4-H Extension and Outreach and Sioux County Sportsmen’s Club. Lunch will be provided for participants. Cost for the event is $5/person. You must preregister. First 270 kids will be accepted. This is an annual event that kids always look forward to!  All ages, those 8 years and under must have an adult present.

All ages welcome! (Ages 8 and under must have an adult present). Join us at the shade shelter for a fun filled morning. Program will include fishing instruction, casting contest, fishing, lunch and giveaways. Fishing poles and bait provided or bring your own. No cost, entry fee to park waived for participants during event hours. Event is cosponsored with Sioux Center Library and Sioux County Sportsmen’s Club. Those 16 year of age and older must have a valid fishing license to actively fish.

Registration is required. Note- Online Registration closed at 11:00 the day before event. Please call 712-552-3057 for morning of registration.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Approximately two months prior to event you can register HERE.

This is an intro to Dutch Oven class that includes preparing dishes and as a reward, eating them! Cost is $15 a person, class size is limited. Cosponsored by Sioux Center Library. Please look for sign up on their website as we get closer.

Please click here for registration. 

This morning is cosponsored with the City of Rock Valley and Rock Valley Ambulance Association. Pancake feed starts at 8:30 with a free will donation. Proceeds benefit local ambulance association. Then walk over to the pond to start fishing for panfish (and others) starting at 10.

All ages are welcome! (Ages 8 and under must have an adult present). Fishing poles and bait will be available or bring your own lucky fishing pole along. Those 16 years of age and older must have valid Iowa fishing license to actively fish. Phone in fishing pre-registration is required with the City of Rock Valley at 712/476-6065. No cost, entrance fee waived to participants during program.

Fishing pre-registration is required so please call Rivers Bend Campground at 712-476-6065. Registration numbers helps determine amounts for bait and prizes that are sometime provided by local supporters.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Archeology the study of past cultures. 

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Please join the Prairie Woods Nature Center, Hawarden Public Library, and One Book One Sioux County for a night of books and birds! We will be discussing the book Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom. A layered, evocative coming-of-age story set in the breathtaking natural world where characters encounter the mending power of forgiveness—for themselves and for those who have failed them (GoodReads). A Sioux County Naturalist presentation on birds and bird nests will follow the discussion. All Sioux County libraries have a copy of the book but multiple copies will be available at the Hawarden Public Library after May 1st. All are welcome and reading the book is encouraged but not required.

This class will teach you how to create works of art with gourds while enjoying the view from the Prairie Woods Nature Center in Oak Grove Park. Instructor Dave Oppegard will provide all instruction and supplies to make a beautiful southwest style gourd bowl. This year’s design is Thunderbird.

This class is limited to 14 people ages teen through adult and cost is $20 per person to be paid at the door. Gourds are supplied. Class time is 9am-4pm.

Please bring your own sack lunch and snacks. No red liquid allowed in the nature center.

Sign up by clicking here. For questions call 712-552-3057.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Ecology the study of relationships in nature!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Looking for a fun family night before you head back to school? Ringneck Rendezvous is your event! This event is held at the Rock Valley Gun club just West out of Rock Valley. Those of 5-8 years must have an adult present. All adults welcome. Doors open at 4:00 pm and participants are invited to play games and participate in activities for booth prizes until 6:30 pm. We try to add new booths each year but past booths have featured: Outdoor Minute to Win It games, BB guns, trap shooting(ages 12 and over), archery, wrist rockets, ring toss, seed balls, dog training, scavenger hunt and several more! Following the closing of the booths, booth prizes will be drawn for. Our evening program will feature one of the Gould Brothers! After our evening program we draw for door prizes that have been sponsored by local businesses.

Please preregister for this event, registration will open approximately two months prior to event. The cost of this event is $10 to cover supper meal. This event would not be possible without our partnership with Sioux Prairie Pheasant Forever Chapter, Rock Valley Gun Club, Iowa DNR, and many local business and individual sponsors.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Registration is available by clicking here. 

All ages 11 and over are invited to join us for our annual Hunter Safety Education Course, August 10, at the Prairie Woods Nature Center from 9am-7pm. Must register at www.gooutdoorsiowa.com. During registration you will receive a link with the review questions to complete and bring to class. Class will cover firearm safety, hunting ethics, first aid, hunting laws, and more. We will also shoot shotgun and rifle. Students need a sack lunch and snacks, supper provided. https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/Events.aspx

Registration will be open approximately two months prior to the event.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Hydrology the study of water!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Braiding Sweetgrass, by author Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, is a blend of indigenous and scientific knowledge that will have you wanting to spend time outdoors using your new enhanced Naturalist vision. Find this book at your local library. You don’t have to read the book to participate, but it is encouraged. We will have an optional walk outdoors at the Nature Center gardens following the discussion. Discussion will happen on the back deck of the Nature Center if weather allows.

Please Pre-register

Calling all area Dutch Oven Cookers! We will be hosting a gathering at Oak Grove Park. Dishes include: breads, appetizers, main dishes and desserts. Dishes will be judged with first place awarded in each category, potluck meal afterwards. You must preregister by calling 712/552-3057 to sign up as a cooker.

First 10 cookers will receive a free campsite at Turkey Ridge for Saturday night.

Public is welcome to come and observe and ask questions in Turkey Ridge Campground, starting at 3:30pm. Join us for meal at 6pm at the Oak Grove Lodge, bring a dish along to share (doesn’t have to be a Dutch Oven for potluck).

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Paleontology the study of fossils!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Join us for a fun evening of Trick or Treating. Ages 12 and under are invited to trick or treat in costume. Campground(s) will be full of campers with friendly faces at each campsite and of course pre-packaged candy/goodies too. If you would like to be a camper, see below for details. Trick or treating is from 5:30-8:00 pm. No pre-registration needed.

Campers can register first come first served on Sept 6 starting at 8am by calling 712/552-1047.  They will need to provide candy for 800 kids in exchange for free camping, Friday and Saturday night.

Listen to KSOU 93.9 FM for weather cancellations.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Leaf Morphology the study of leaves

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

We partner with Sioux Prairie Pheasants Forever and Rock Valley Gun Club on this day to give 12-15 year old Iowa residents, who have passed their hunter education course, a great pheasant hunt experience! The day starts with breakfast and a quick review of hunter safety and trap shooting. We pair youth with a mentor and hunting dog. Youth and mentor travel in groups to local hunting areas, both public and private, for the morning. Following the hunt, youth and mentors return to the Rock Valley Gun Club for lunch. Only a limited number will be taken so you must pre-register, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

Register approximately two months prior to event HERE.

Please also print out the following forms:

registration

emergency form

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Snowflake Morphology the study of snow formation

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Seniors, in celebration of our Ology SELF Series we will join this month for a friendly game of jeopardy! Did you miss a month, do not worry! Jeopardy will have a mix of general information from all months- plus you get to work in teams! Prizes to be won!!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm

Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!