By BARBARA BARBIERI
Participants in the Ouabache State Park’s Lunch and Learn last Thursday at the Lodge by the Lake heard Friends of the Park President Alan Arnold tell about the various ways to explore state parks.
He explained that he and his wife got interested in hiking at Ouabache in 2016 and in 2017 decided to hike every trail in all of Indiana’s state parks. However, a knee problem and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed that quest.
But they decided to complete the challenges in all of the parks or properties that had them (at that time, seven parks). In 2021 he assisted in helping the Ouabache Friends group complete the park’s CCC Challenge.
The CCC Challenge asks for hikers to photograph seven sites in the park that show remnants of the CCC era, ending with the climbing of the Lookout Tower. Then turning in the evidence at the gate house a sticker is earned and for $20 a T-shirt may be purchased.
Arnold then went on to explain other hiking opportunities in state parks and properties.
In 2021 he discovered Volkmarches and hiked one at Pokagon. Pokagon offers one any time during the year and Ouabache will have one this coming September. The pin, that small completion signs are attached to, features Ouabache’s bison.
Next he told about the Quest challenges that now are called Discover (that can be done at any park), Explore (33 parks have these) and Challenge (currently eight parks have these, including Ouabache).
Patches are earned in the Discover program where three activities are chosen from a list of eleven that can include taking a hike, observing the night sky, being a good steward and memorizing three sayings from Smokey Bear.
Arnold explained that the programs are a great way for families to enjoy nature and that collecting the stickers and pins from the various programs are a fun project as well.
The next Lunch and Learn event will be held on Thursday, June 9, at noon as Curt Burnette will talk about bird identification: “Feathers & Feet.” Special guests will be the Junior Naturalists who will be providing chili for lunch, as part of their camp experience. Corner Depot Catering will provide a dessert.
Reservations for the event are needed 260-341-1971 or at friendsofouabache@gmail.com
barb@news-banner.com
