2018 Fall WOW Event-Lake Metigoshe State Park (Bottineau, ND)

Get a small taste of kayaking by joining us for an evening adventure on School Section Lake. This leisurely paddle will focus on relaxation and the great outdoors. We promise to provide good company, beautiful views and the evening sounds of local wildlife. No experience needed. We can accommodate all skill levels. (Outdoors-Moderate Physical Activity)

Learn more about how you can use plants and even make some of your own natural remedies! ( Indoor/Outdoor-Easy Physical Activity)

Brush up on your survival skills and learn how to make fire starters using household items. Then we will try different techniques to build and start a campfire. Participants will get to make fire starters to take home with them. (Indoors-Easy Physical Activity)

Sometimes there is more to water than meets the eye, taste buds or nose. Learn how much water your body needs, how to find water, and how to make water clean to drink by making your own water filter to take with you on your next adventure. (Outdoors-Easy Physical Activity)

We’ll make a batch of chokecherry jelly that will make your mouth scream “WOW!” Wild-harvested foods are part of the specialty forest products group. Making and consuming these delicacies is one of life’s most satisfying activities. Learn how to bring the outdoor bounty nature provides us indoors. Come, make, take and enjoy some jelly! (Indoors-Easy Physical Activity)

Learn some tips and tricks that will help you keep your bike in working order, potentially extending its longevity and maximizing its resale value. Join the staff from Val’s Cyclery as they show you how to do general bike maintenance to include cleaning your bike, tire repairs and chain care. (Indoor/Outdoor-Easy)

Check out the park’s backcountry trails on a mountain bike! We’ll start with an introduction to the differences between road and mountain biking, You’ll need to be ready to adjust for the terrain and changing surfaces. We’ll do a few practice drills to help you develop the skills needed to maneuver your bike, shift gears and deal with the bumps along the trail. Give it a try, you’ll love the challenge! Wear comfortable clothing, avoiding long pants that will get caught in the bike chain; biking shorts or exercise tights are recommended. Participants should bring a properly fitted bike helmet. Bikes are provided.
(Outdoors-Moderate Physical Activity)

Learn about the gear needed for fly-fishing as well as basic fly casting techniques before heading to the lake to refine your newly acquired skills! North Dakota Game & Fish Department is teaching this session and will not require you to purchase a fishing license for this educational session. (Outdoors-Easy Physical Activity)

Spend the morning discussing all things birds! We will start the day by learning the different adaptations that make birds unique. Then we will discuss different types of bird feeders and how to attract them to your yard. We will wrap up the morning by covering the basics of bird watching, before heading out on a bird hike! (Outdoor-Easy Physical Activity)

Participants will choose from a selection of diamond willow pieces prior to rolling up their sleeves to create a customized hiking staff! Please bring leather gloves as we’ll be working with a variety of tools. (Outdoors-Easy Physical Activity)

Learn about rifles, safe firearm handling as well as shooting fundamentals. You will quickly gain both experience and confidence while increasing your marksmanship skills. This session includes firearm usage. If you have your own eye and ear protection, feel free to bring it. There will also be some on hand.
(Outdoors-Easy/Moderate Physical Activity)

A class for all skill levels! Join us for a kayak adventure on School Section Lake.  We’ll start with the basics on land and then hit the water for hands on learning.  This class will focus on how to enter and exit a kayak, paddling techniques, portaging and water safety.  Dress appropriately as you will get wet!  Come explore the prettiest area of Lake Metigoshe State Park where we’re sure to see wildlife, beaver dams/lodges, nesting birds and the start of the fall foliage colors! (Outdoors-Moderate Physical Activity)

We’ll begin indoors by introducing participants to aspects of outdoor photography including lighting, equipment, locations, techniques, post production and careers. Participants will then head outdoors to explore a variety of subject matter in the scenic Lake Metigoshe State Park region to include vast landscapes, intimate landscape, macro, wildlife, rustic, rural and sunset photography. We have a variety of DSLR cameras and lenses for participants to use; however, you are welcome to use your own camera(s). Outdoor Photography starts in Session III, breaks for supper and continues through Session IV. (Indoors/Outdoors-Easy-Moderate Physical Activity)

Learn about rifles, safe firearm handling as well as shooting fundamentals. You will quickly gain both experience and confidence while increasing your marksmanship skills. This session includes firearm usage. If you have your own eye and ear protection, feel free to bring it. There will also be some on hand.
(Outdoors-Easy/Moderate Physical Activity)

Whether you are looking to get into bow hunting or simply shoot a bullseye, you’ll need to know the basics! Get introduced to different types of bows, establish eye dominancy, learn proper shooting technique and how to do simple equipment adjustments to safely start what could potentially be your new hobby. YOU MUST BE LEFT HANDED TO RESERVE THIS SPOT! (Outdoors-Easy/Moderate Physical Activity)

In this hands-on off-highway vehicle (OHV) course, explore OHV operations on a fleet of mini-ATV’s. It’s a great beginners course to learn operations over obstacles, going up-hill, down-hill and other obstacles. If you have a helmet, please bring it as there will a limited number of adult sized helmets available. We’ll be traveling off-site about 10 miles so please be prepared to meet in the Lake Metigoshe State Park dining hall at 12:45pm. (Outdoors-Easy/Moderate Physical Activity)

Don’t throw out your tent, trusty pair of hiking pants or favorite backpack just because a zipper went bad or a patch is in order. Bring those items to this session and we’ll see if we can fix them as we’ll attempt to repair various camping and recreational gear to extend their life! If you don’t have an item that needs fixing, join us anyway so you’ll know for the future! (Indoors-Easy Physical Activity)

Over, under and in between.  Learn about different knots, what they are used for and practice by creating your own paracord bracelet to take home. (Outdoors-Easy)

Join us for an evening of creativity. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner, you will enjoy this teacher lead acrylic painting experience. Everyone will leave with an original masterpiece. (Indoors/Easy Physical Activity)

Regular cleaning is important to not only ensure safe operation of your rifle, but to maintain the value for years to come. Learn about cleaning agents and tools that will assist you in keeping your rifle clean and ready its next use whether you are planning to take it hunting or target shooting. We'll be cleaning the rifles used in previous sessions so there will be plenty of guns for participants to practice on. (Indoors-Easy Physical Activity)

Learn about tents and shelters needed for backpacking or other outdoor fun.  We'll talk about different styles of tents, how to care for your tent and how to select a tent site.  You will also be able to set a tent up and utilize a tarp to create your “outdoor kitchen.”  If you have a new tent and want to learn how to set it up, feel free to bring it!  We will also cover the two most important things that will go in a tent...sleeping bags pads. (Indoors/Outdoors-Easy/Moderate)

This session will focus on the basics of hound hunting to include tracking the game you want to pursue with dogs. An eventful evening will follow as we turn the dogs loose in search of raccoons. Listen to the sound of the hounds as they go through the woods and catch up to them to see what found at the end of the scent trail. Please wear comfortable footwear, potentially waterproof boots, and bring a flashlight for this adventure! (Outdoors-Moderate Physical Activity)

Whether you are looking to get into bow hunting or simply shoot a bullseye, you’ll need to know the basics! Get introduced to different types of bows, establish eye dominancy, learn proper shooting technique and how to do simple equipment adjustments to safely start what could potentially be your new hobby. YOU MUST BE RIGHT HANDED TO RESERVE THIS SPOT! (Outdoors-Easy/Moderate)

Whether you are looking to get into bow hunting or simply shoot a bullseye, you’ll need to know the basics! Get introduced to different types of bows, establish eye dominancy, learn proper shooting technique and how to do simple equipment adjustments to safely start what could potentially be your new hobby. YOU MUST BE LEFT HANDED TO RESERVE THIS SPOT! (Outdoors-Easy/Moderate Physical Activity)

Check out the park’s backcountry trails on a mountain bike! We’ll start with an introduction to the differences between road and mountain biking, You’ll need to be ready to adjust for the terrain and changing surfaces. We’ll do a few practice drills to help you develop the skills needed to maneuver your bike, shift gears and deal with the bumps along the trail. Give it a try, you’ll love the challenge! Wear comfortable clothing, avoiding long pants that will get caught in the bike chain; biking shorts or exercise tights are recommended. Participants should bring a properly fitted bike helmet. Bikes are provided.
(Outdoors-ModeratePhysical Activity)

Tired of eating the dehydrated package food – or are you saying “what the heck is dehydrated package food?” Learn what it is, how to “beef” them up and how to make your own dehydrated meals. Explore ways to source and filter water while on the trail. You will learn about food, stoves, filters and other things you need to feed and water backpackers. No gear is required. If you have a stove and/or water filter feel free to bring it. Wear good walking shoes as we will be going out on the trails. (Indoor/Outdoor-Easy Physical Activity)

Learn basic outdoor, camping and/or survival skills! Your name has been pulled from life’s reaping jar. You will have time to train and prepare before you enter the “arena” and face some outdoor/camping challenges. The victors will be brave, positive thinkers and will form strong alliances. The session will detail many of the skills you can use in the “arena” and in real-life outdoor survival situations. (Outdoor-Moderate Physical Activity)

Learn about the gear needed for fly-fishing as well as basic fly casting techniques before heading to the lake to refine your newly acquired skills! North Dakota Game & Fish Department is teaching this session and will not require you to purchase a fishing license for this educational session. (Outdoor-Easy Physical Activity)