This site will be updated during the 2010 season as programs are added at the individual parks. Please check back for new activities. Call the park for more information on each program.

Click on a month and you will be taken to a list of events and programs that will be occurring throughout the park system.

January

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February

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March

Ledges State Park - VEISHA Volunteer Service Day
When: Saturday, March 27, 2010, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
What: Park service day with projects including installation of fire rings, brush removal, and litter clean-up. This event is co-sponsored by ISU VEISHA student leaders and the Friends of Ledges. Volunteers may show up for the whole day or whatever portion thereof they may wish to serve. It is recommended to dress according to the weather and bring work gloves, long pants and wear closed-toe boots/shoes.

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April

Beeds Lake State park - Community Clean-Up Day
When: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:00 am - noon at the Lodge area
What: 2nd Annual Community Clean-up. The morning is dedicated to clean-up, painting, and the spring kick-off. Sponsored by the DNR, Hampton Kiwanis Club and The Friends of Beeds lake.

Red Haw State Park - Red Bud Days Kids Fishing Outing
When: Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
What: Fishing for kids under 16 years of age. A limited number of rods, reels and night crawlers provided to those who need them. Prize drawing, hotdogs, marshmallows, roasting sticks and lemonade provided. Meet at the Stone Shelter by 1:00 to enter prize drawing.

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Easter Cache-In Trash-Outy\
When: Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What: Want to look for hidden treasures? This event consists of using GPS units to search for hidden treasures while picking up trash along the way. This CITO event will start at the Prairie Resource Building (base camp), south of the park office. At base camp you will be given instructions for those new to the sport, rules and coordinates for the day, and GPS unit checkout available with ID (first come/first serve) Everyone is welcome to attend, beginners to advances, children to adult. Please bring gloves, GPS and data cable (if you have one), comfortable attire/shoes and a water bottle. Garbage bags will be given out.

Stone State Park - Prairie Rescue
When: Sunday, April 18, 2010 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What: Help cut small trees and shrubs that are invading the prairies of Stone Park. Meet at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.

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May

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Fishing Derby
When: Saturday, May 9, 2010, 10:00 am - noon
What: Fishing derby for those who would like to learn how to fish. Great way for parents to learn how to make their children's fishing trip successful. You'll learn what fish species look like, what they like to eat and how to tie on a slip bobber and hook. It's all free. A few fishing rods will be available and bait will be provided. All ages welcome. Cookout afterwards. Meet at Fish Pier Point.

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June

Lake Anita State Park - Kids Fishing Day
When: Saturday, June 5, 2010, 10:00 am - noon
What: Program to learn about fish and fishing. An opportunity for all kids 0 to 16 to fish. All kids present will win prizes. Free lunch is provided.

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - No Women Left Inside
When: Saturday, June 12, 2010
What: The Iowa DNR and Webster County Conservaion are sponsoring the No Women Left Inside event. Great time to meet women with similar interests, learn new skills, enhance old ones and just enjoy the outdoors. Women ages 13 and older are invited to participate. Youth under 18 must have a parent present to participate. Contact Erin Ford at 515-576-4258 for more information.

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July

Beeds Lake State park - Omelet Breakfast
When: Sunday, July 4, 2010
What: Annual omelet breakfast sponsored by the Friends of Beeds Lake.

Black Hawk State park - Summer Water Carnival
When: Friday, July 16, 2010
            Saturday, July 17, 2010
            Sunday, July 18, 2010
What: In the town bay area of lake View. Local food stands, carnival rides, free entertainment all three days. Also kids parade, kids talent show, waffle feed, street parade, and evening parade of floats on the lake. More specific information can be found at www.lakeview-ia.com.

Backbone State Park - Christmas in July
When: Saturday, July 17, 2010 - 10:00 am - noon and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What: Games for the whole family starting with boat races at 10:00 am at the Boat House, games in the campground from 2 to 4 pm. There will be a visit from Santa, a drawing and horse drawn carriage rides starting at 6:00 pm. The campsite judging will start after dark and prizes will be awarded that night.

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August

George Wyth State Park - Cedar Valley Trails Festival
When: August 11 - 15, 2010
What: Family events featuring bike safety course, candle-lit bike ride and entertainment along the metro trails. Visit www.cedarvalleytrails.org for more information.

Black Hawk State park - Carp Fishing Contest
When: Saturday, August 14, 2010
            Sunday, August 15, 2010
What: 10 tagged carp each worth $1000. Registration is required with $5 entry fee for adults and $3 entry fee for kids 12 and under. More information can be found at www.lakeview-ia.com.

George Wyth State Park - Hartman Eco-Triathlon
When: Sunday, August 15, 2010
What: Paddle! Pedal! Run! Non-traditional triathlon with off-road biking and soft trail running. Contact Hartman Reserve Nature Center at 319-277-2187 for more information.

Beeds Lake State Park - 2010 Beeds Lake Restoration Run
When: Saturday, August 18
What: 1/2 marathon starts at 7:00 am; Five and Ten Runs starts at 7:30 AM. Breadfast open at Lodge until 11:00 AM. Event sponsored by the Friends of Beeds Lake to help in the effort to improve water quality.

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September

George Wyth State Park - Park to Park 1/2 Marathon & 5K
When: Saturday, September 11, 2010
What: USAFT-certified, mainly flat and offers great opportunity for runners to see the trails, Cedar River and run through 4 parks. Visit www.trekmanracing.com for more information.

George Wyth State Park - 3rd Annual Peregrine Charities Triathlon
When: Sunday, September 26, 2010
What: USAT-sanctioned Triathlon, Lymmpic swim, Sprint and kids distance races. Funds raised during this event will go towards local hopsitals for pediatric cures. Visit www.Peregrinecharities.org/tri for more information.

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October

Lacey Keosauqua State park - Scenic Drive Festival
When: Saturday, October 9, 2010
            Sunday, October 10, 2010
What: Villages throughout Van Buren County have arts and crafts, angiques, games, parage, Buckskinners Camp and 5K Run/Walk.

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November

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