Families in southwest Ohio are invited to apply for a new outdoor skills program focused on paddling, fishing and camping at Cowan Lake State Park. Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the program offers families the option of choose from one or two sessions.
The first session runs April 15 - July 7 and the second session runs July 22 - Oct. 7. The first session includes fishing from the shore or boat, casting, campsite set-up, campfire cooking, paddling skills and an all-day river paddle. The second session includes archery, crossbow skills (beginning and advanced), trail cameras, tree stand safety, hunter education and an optional controlled hunt.
Located at Cowan State Park, activities are scheduled on Sundays about twice a month from noon to 4 p.m. Families must commit to attending all lessons in a session. A non-refundable $40 fee, to cover lesson costs, will be charged per family once accepted into the program. All camping gear, boats and safety equipment will be provided, but families must provide their own hunting- or boating-specific clothing.Experienced professionals will teach all the lessons. The program is being coordinated in conjunction with the National Wild Turkey Federation and Friends Caring for Cowan Lake.
Interested families are asked to apply on-line at parks.ohiodnr.gov/FamilyOutdoorSeries by Feb. 28. Applications will be reviewed by ODNR staff and eligible families will be notified by phone by Mar. 19.
To learn more visit ohiodnr.gov or call (614) 265-6412.