Children attend 'Kids in the Woods' event

July 29, 2015 at 7:44 a.m.

by Bev Saunders Gentry Chamber of Commerce

Assisted by Ray Arnold (right), youngsters who attended the "Kids in the Woods" event on July 20 and 21 had opportunity to try out their fishing skills in the ponds at the Flint Creek Nature Area in Gentry. Emily Jessen had a catfish on the line and was bringing it in.
Assisted by Ray Arnold (right), youngsters who attended the "Kids in the Woods" event on July 20 and 21 had opportunity to try out their fishing skills in the ponds at the Flint Creek Nature Area in Gentry. Emily Jessen had a catfish on the line and was bringing it in.

GENTRY -- Kids were laughing, playing, catching fish and catching critters in the creek at the Second Annual Kids in the Woods Nature Camp held July 20 and 21 at the Flint Creek Nature Area south of Gentry.

The event was sponsored by Arvest Bank, Walmart and 2 Saun Farms, and hosted by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, the city of Gentry, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Attending the camp were: Ethan Tromp, Koltlyn McBride, Connor Miller Aiden Blevins, Wyatt Martin, Colton Martin, Tavian Hall, Zachary Braun, Aiden Eller, Dylan Eller, Wyatt Gardisser, Jacob Bever, Joseph Bever, Kimberly Caswell, Kaitlyn Caswell, Carmen Wilkinson, Emily Jessen, Isaac Jessen, Drew Nash, Lilly Nash, Myah Nash, Eagan Harper, Houston Nance, Cole Hays, Audrey Saunders, Bryson Woodall and Leah Saunders.

On each of the two days, the children were divided into two groups. One group went fishing in the pond which was recently restocked with catfish by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, while the other group went to the creek and participated in bug kickin', an exercise in which the kids catch creek critters, identify them and use that information to determine the condition of the water, depending on what is living in the creek. The kids also went on a hike to talk about the woods and identify trees. They heard a presentation by Ranger George of the Forestry Commission. The program highlighted the search and rescue division and activities of the agency. The kids were taught what to do if they were ever lost in the woods. Sack lunches were served on a blanket on the ground.

Catching the biggest fish were Bryson Woodall and Joseph Bever. Catching the most fish were Wyatt Gardisser and Isaac Jessen. Drew Nash caught the second most fish and Aiden Blevins caught the smallest fish.

All the participants received a certificate of participation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plus a goody bag that contained a "Trees of Arkansas" book, a T-shirt, plastic bracelets, Smokey the Bear color books and magnets and several other items from the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Volunteers were Janice Arnold, Ray Arnold, Holly Hays, Jonathon and Heidi Nance, Bev Saunders, Katie Saunders, Jodye Pool, Emilye Pool, John Pool and Mrs. Nash.

General News on 07/29/2015