Trail of Tears State Park announces summer nature programs

Trail of Tears recently released its schedule of free programs for July and August.

July

• New are Friday Night Roves. Park staff will visit campsites to provide information about upcoming programs. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Call 334-1711 to check on programs, as they are subject to change. Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather.
• 10 a.m. July 7, nature bingo will be held at the visitors center; an 8 p.m. Owl Prowl will begin at the visitors center for a short walk to talk about and observe owls.
• 2:30 p.m. July 8, 15, 22 and 29, the "Snakes' Alive" program will be held at the visitors center by a park naturalist for education about Missouri snakes.
• 9:30 a.m. July 14, "Creek Walking in Indian Creek" will meet at the visitors center to carpool to Indian Creek for observation and discussion of the wildlife and aquatic life of this important ecosystem. Wear suitable footwear, sunscreen and insect repellant. At 7:30 p.m. the program "Wild Areas in Missouri" will highlight what makes this part of Trail of Tears so different from other areas.
• 10 a.m. July 21, "Moccasin Springs Stroll" will be an easy stroll with park interpretive staff along Moccasin Springs Road to learn about the area's history before it became Trail of Tears State Park. The walk will be about one mile. Meet at Wescoat Shelter. At 7:30 p.m. the program "Bat Bonanza" will be held in the amphitheater behind the visitors center. Bring a flashlight.
• 10 a.m. July 28, meet at the visitors center for a look at how to make a difference in dealing with trash; various ways of recycling are reviewed and an item is created from what is thrown away daily. At 1 p.m. the Missouri chapter of the Trail of Tears Association meets; at 7:30 p.m. "Compass 101" program will teach the basics of using a compass and different kinds of maps. Meet at the visitors center.

August

• 9:30 a.m. Aug. 4, "Summer Wildflower Walk" will begin at Sheppard's Point Trailhead. Learn to identify and discover wildflowers and their uses. Bring water, bug spray and sunscreen. At7 p.m. meet at the visitors center for an evening visit to the Overlook. A discovery hunt for those interested will include walking up Overlook Road up a steep hill.
• 2:30 p.m. Aug. 26, "Snakes' Alive" program meets at the visitors center.