Conservation Education
More Kids in the Woods
"Our most important resource in this country is not forests, vital as they are. It is not water, although life itself would cease to exist without it. It is people. The challenges of climate change and looming water shortages will not be resolved in a few years. It will take generations. Today's children—and theirs—will need to be able to take the baton and continue the race. For that, they will need a full understanding of why forests are so valuable, along with a strong land ethic. It is our job to give them both."
— Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell
Connecting Kids to the Great Outdoors — Kids Gone Wild 2008
Kids Gone Wild is a series of free summer programs designed to give kids the opportunity to learn and have fun in the outdoors. Programs take place at the Big Lake Visitor Center and at a few other locations in the Springerville area. Kids Gone Wild is a partnership effort between the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and other agencies, organizations and numerous volunteers.
August Schedule for Big Lake Visitor Center Programs
The visitor center is open from June 5 to August 30 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 am until 4 pm. Kids programs are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Date |
Morning Program 10am |
Afternoon Program 2pm |
Friday August 01 |
Mexican Grey Wolf |
"Fashion a Fish" |
Saturday August 02 |
Trees all you ever wanted to know! |
Trees all you ever wanted to know! |
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Thursday August07 |
Mountain Man Demo |
Mountain Man Demo |
Friday August 08 |
Camp fire safety/Wildland Firefighters |
Smokey Bears Birthday Party! |
An evening program for the whole family, 7 p.m. "Music on the Mountain" |
Saturday August 09 |
Man Tracking |
Man Tracking |
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Thursday August 14 |
Aliens in Big Lake (crayfish) |
Aliens in Big Lake (crayfish) |
Friday August 15 |
Frogs |
Forest Transformers (Butterflies) |
Saturday August 16 |
Primitive Outdoor skills |
Aliens in Big Lake (crayfish) |
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Thursday August 21 |
Frogs |
Forest Transformers (Butterflies) |
Friday August 22 |
Mexican Grey Wolf |
TBA |
Saturday August 23 |
Tree ID/Making Paper |
Tree ID/Making Paper |
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Thursday August 28 |
Hiking |
TBA |
Friday August 29 |
Frogs |
Forest Transformers (Butterflies) |
Saturday August 30 |
Aliens in Big Lake (crayfish) |
Aliens in Big Lake (crayfish) |
Additional Kids Gone Wild Programs
There are four other programs at different locations. These programs are also free, however, pre-registration of kids is required because the number of participants is limited. Children participating in these programs must be accompanied by an adult.
- Fishing at River Reservoir on June 17th
- Archery at Sipe Wildlife Area on July 8th
- Fishing and Rappelling at X-Diamond Ranch in South Fork on July 17th
- Archeological Hike at Casa Malpais Archeological Site on August 12th
To register for these programs or for more information about the Kids Gone Wild program, please call the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests at (928) 333-4301.
2008 Kids Gone Wild Flyer
You Can Volunteer to Connect Kids to the Woods!
Seeking volunteers to help staff the Big Lake Visitor Center, and volunteers to present conservation education programs at the Big Lake Visitor Center. Interested? Come and share your knowledge! Get in touch with Iris and Kartha for more information:
- Help Staff Big Lake Visitor Center
- Kartha Ray
- Springerville Ranger District
- (928) 333-4372
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- Help Present Programs
- Iris Estes
- Apache-Sitgreaves Supervisor's Office
- (928) 333-4301
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