 Photo courtesy of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program now offers a spring workshop to complement the traditional fall workshop that has been offered each year since 1993. This year’s spring workshop will be held May 18, 19, and 20 at Rock Springs 4-H Center, near Junction City, the same location as the fall workshop. During the three-day workshop, volunteer instructors teach participants a variety of skills, including fishing, wingshooting, camping, orienteering, rifle marksmanship, botany, dog handling, archery, and other outdoor recreation in a friendly, supportive environment. Twenty-eight concurrent sessions will be offered, from hunting and fishing skills to camping, outdoor cooking, bird watching, orienteering, and wilderness survival. Mini-sessions will cover such topics as “Kansas critters,” outdoor first aid, campfire songs, and star gazing.
The $250 workshop fee includes seven meals, two nights lodging, instruction, supplies, and use of equipment. Based on financial need, three $100 scholarships are available for first-time participants. Email kansasbow@sbcglobal.net for scholarship details. 1 Comment  Lake Perry has closed its beaches due to dangerous blue-green algae, which has contaminated the waters. Officials say to avoid direct contact with the water and to deep clean any fish caught from the lake. Photo by Josh Rouse. A warning for those trying to beat the heat by heading to the lake - officials have closed two swimming beaches at Perry Lake, 17 miles northeast of Topeka, Kan., in Jefferson County, because of concerns about harmful algae in the water. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism announced on Friday that they had closed the Perry Park Corps of Engineers Swim Beach and the Perry State Park Beach after testing indicated harmful algae bloom levels. The agencies said that high levels of toxic blue-green algae had been discovered at the Rock Creek Arm and the Old Town Public Use Area of the lake. Areas around the park will still be open, but the agencies say to avoid direct contact with the water as it can cause anything from skin and eye irritation and allergic reactions to severe illness and death in extreme cases of overexposure. Officials said the drinking water and showers are safe, however. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also suggests deep cleaning any fish caught from the waters. Kansas public waters currently under warning: Perry Lake – Rock Creek Arm Perry Lake – Old Town Public Use Area Marion County Lake Memorial Park Lake, Great Bend, Barton County Meade State Lake, Meade County Kansas public waters currently under advisory: Big Hill Reservoir Perry Lake Marion Reservoir Old Herington City Lake Logan City Lake, Phillips County |  NewsCheck out news and press releases from around the state regarding the outdoors. ArchivesAugust 2012 CategoriesAll |
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