Annual JAKES Day a Success!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Annual JAKES Day Event was a huge success Saturday with 73 children between the ages of 4 and 17 attending as well as approximately 40 adults. The Missouri Department of Conservation, National Wild Turkey Federation, American Outdoors, Crowley’s Ridge Limbhangers of Dexter and the Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club of Dexter volunteered their time to reach out to the younger generation of our community to give them an opportunity to get outdoors and try hands-on activities.
Several stations were set up throughout the Bloomfield Holly Ridge Pavilion area. The Conservation Department presented a gun safety demonstration where youngsters were given a chance to shoot a shotgun at clay birds or they could choose to shoot a BB gun at balloons.
Shannon Collier was on hand from the Missouri Fur Trappers Association to teach students about fur trapping. Cougar, bear, beaver, mink, raccoon, possum, bobcat, coyote, and skunk hides were on display for them to touch and hold. There were several real traps available to set.
The Wappapello Corps of Engineers set up a station for Water Safety. They had a bucket of ice cold water to explain how hypothermia causes you distress, just like the Titanic. Most of the people froze to death in the water when the Titanic sank, not from drowning, a common misconception. They also had many different styles of life preservers for them to try on and wear properly.
The Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club had four primitive skills stations set up for those who wanted to learn how to start fire with flint and steel or a magnifying glass. They learned how to shoot a slingshot and also throw a tomahawk. Curtis Waggoner and Amanda Koehler of Four Corners Archery helped students throw an atlatl and shoot a primitive bow. Popcorn Linda was on hand giving away FREE kettle corn! YUM! The parents enjoyed that as much as the children.
American Outdoors owner, Mark Jacques, along with Bobby Shipman helped students shoot various 3-D targets with modern bows. Each child also received a free Diamond Archery bracelet.
The Missouri Department of Conservation volunteers also had a fishing demonstration set up where children could cast a few plastic hooks to reel in brightly colored “fish” or Hula Hoops. Some of those kids could really cast across the parking lot! One student shouted, “I have never fished before and I caught my first fish!”
Lunched could not have come sooner, hotdogs, chips, banansas and apples and ice cold water were engulfed quickly and everyone was ready for the great CANDY CANNON! Many parents have had the pleasure of attending a Rendezvous and watched the little ones run for the candy after the big boom! Children scramble to gather candy after it has been shot out of the cannon.
They day ended with a .22 cal Cricket gun given away to Caleb Pierce from Wappapello. He was the first name drawn, but not to worry each child received a prize, a very nice tackle box from the Missouri Conservation Department and a kite from Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club.
Many kids stated they couldn’t wait until next year when they could return and go on the nature hunt. Students found plastic spiders, frogs, snails, and snakes on the trail and also learned to call turkeys. Some even found real turkey feathers to take home. All had smiles and no one wanted to leave.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the JAKES Day Event especially to Tyson Foods for donating the lunch and helping to cook! This makes for a wonderful experience and each year seems to get bigger and bigger!
It takes many volunteers to host this event as well as donations from the community. Please support your local JAKES program by supporting the local NWTF Limbhangers Chapter by attending their annual banquet in January and by becoming a member of NWTF. Follow them on Facebook for the latest announcements and photos of their events.
All JAKES participants will have their name submitted as a JAKES Member and will receive four issues of a full-color JAKES Magazine, NWTF Membership Card, JAKES decal and a chance to win a Hunt of a Lifetime.
So get involved by introducing young boys and girls to the beauty and wonder of our natural resources! The NWTF challenges each of you to take an active part in participating in a JAKES Conservation Field Day event and make a difference in a the life of a child.
JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship!
Date: June 17th 2013
