On Saturday, April 7

Do you know how to quack like a duck?

Have you ever wondered what the inside of a beaver’s house looks like?

Do you know what sort of little living things call a Missouri lake or stream home?

If you’re a kid in St. Louis, you can find out about all sorts of outdoor things at the Wetlands for Kids event on Saturday, April 7. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County. 

This event will show city families how easy it is to experience outdoor fun in Missouri. Also, the Busch Conservation Area is within easy driving distance of even inner city neighborhoods. 

A lot of the displays let the kids participate. 

Kids also will get a chance to take away free things they’ll enjoy throughout the year. 

For instance, you’ll get a free membership in Greenwing. That’s the kids division of Ducks Unlimited. Membership includes a year’s subscription to the kid’s magazine, The Puddler.

You also can qualify for free tree seedlings that you can plant at home. 

The whole Wetlands for Kids event is free. And there is no advance registration. You just show up and take part in the activities you like. 

The event is being run by the Missouri Department of Conservation. It’s co-sponsored by The Monsanto Fund and Ducks Unlimited.

While you’re at Wetlands for Kids, be sure to ask for information on year-round outdoor activities for St. Louis area families. For information and directions, call (636) 441-4554. 

Here’s a complete list of activities at the Wetlands for Kids: 

• Retriever dogs: Experienced trainers will give demonstrations on how their dogs retrieve ducks and other waterfowl during hunting trips. 
• Duck calling: Kids can get lessons from experienced callers on how to make duck calls. 
• Beaver lodge: Kids make beaver tails and then get to crawl through a giant, man-made beaver home. 
• Archery: Kids will get a chance to shoot with a bow and arrow, just like the Native American Indians did years ago. 
• Check on wetlands wildlife: Kids will collect samples with nets for things that live in Missouri’s streams and lakes. They can also see and feel snakes and frogs. 
• Wildlife trapping: A member of the Missouri Trappers Assn. will talk about the history of trapping in Missouri. Fur trading was big business in St. Louis’ during pioneer times. 
• World Bird Sanctuary: Kids can see live birds and learn the history of birds of Missouri. 
• Live fish displays: Conservation biologists will exhibit Missouri fish in a large aquarium. 
• Duck wing maze: You search for clues in a giant maze to discover the name of a species of ducks.
• A watershed model: See a large model of a river watershed and learn how wetlands help to keep it healthy.

Would you like your school to help you learn more about Missouri’s outdoors?

If so, why not ask your teacher to sign up for a Missouri Conservation Department’s summer workshop. The department shows teachers how to use outdoor subjects in their classrooms. 

For instance, one workshop is called “Lewis & Clark and the Big River Confluence.” That’s about the historic trip from St. Louis up the Missouri River. It makes a good social studies subject. 

Other courses to be offered this summer involve conservation subjects in teaching of art, science, literature, writing and other subjects. 

For information, your teacher can visit the Conservation Department’s website at: 
     www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/workshops.html