NATURE CENTER Wednesday through Sunday 2-4 p.m. Come take a look at some live animals that call Lake Charles State Park home. A park interpreter will be on hand to answer questions. Located near the swim beach in the day use area.
Wednesday, July 4
NIGHT FLIGHT 1:30 p.m. Nature Center Owls are one of very few birds who are active at night. Discover the special features of this amazing nighttime raptor and learn about Arkansas’ four native species.
SOLAR OVEN COOKING 3:00 p.m. Nature Center Discover how to harness the power of the sun! We will be building a simple solar oven out of materials commonly found in homes, and then cooking a delicious snack.
Thursday, July 5
AMAZING AMPHIBIANS 1:30 p.m. Nature Center Will toads give you warts? Why are frogs slimy? What on earth is a salamander? Learn all about amazing amphibians, and discover why these fragile creatures are such an important part of our ecosystem.
SQUIRRELS OF LAKE CHARLES 3:00 p.m. Nature Center Lake Charles State Park is home to several different types of squirrels, including fox squirrels, grey squirrels, and flying squirrels. Kids will enjoy discovering how these charming creatures are adapted to the hardwood forests.
Friday, July 6
TICKS, CHIGGERS, AND MOSQUITOES 1:30 p.m. Nature Center Join a park interpreter to learn about the critters that make Arkansans itch all summer long. Are these animals good for the environment, or are they purely pests? Find out the
answer to this question, and learn how you can protect yourself from these insects.
SIDEWALK CHALK 3:00 p.m. Nature Center Help our park interpreter decorate the sidewalks outside the nature center with colorful drawings of your favorite Arkansas animals.
Saturday, July 7
GUIDED KAYAK TOUR 9:00 a.m. Swim Beach Become familiar with the wonders of nature on scenic Lake Charles. Adventurers will observe a variety of animal and plant species while paddling across the lake with a park interpreter. Wear clothes and shoes that you can get wet. Kayak experience is not necessary, but reservations are. Cost: $10 adults, $5 kids ages 6-12, Under 6 free when riding tandem with an adult
VENOMOUS SNAKES OF ARKANSAS 1:30 p.m. Nature Center Learn to identify the types of venomous snakes that can be found in Arkansas and discover how these snakes can be helpful to the environment. See these snakes up close in our nature center, and find out what to do if you ever come across one in the wild.
GYOTAKU: THE ART OF FISH PRINTING 3:00 p.m. Nature Center Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese art used to record large fishing catches. Kids will enjoy recording the morning catch, or you can use our replica fish to create beautiful pieces of art work.
Sunday, July 8
SCENIC LAKE CRUISE 9:00 a.m. Snapp Pier Bring the family and your sense of adventure, and come enjoy a cruise on Lake Charles. Discover the history of the lake, watch for wildlife, take photographs, or just relax. Seating is limited, so make your reservation at the visitor center. Cost: $7 adults, $3.50 kids ages 6-12, under 6 free
ALLIGATOR INVESTIGATIONS 1:30 p.m. Nature Center Come to the nature center, where a park interpreter will introduce you to an American Alligator. Discover how important this reptile is to the environment, despite his scary reputation.
WHOSE SCAT IS THAT? 3:00 p.m. Nature Center Everyone enjoys nature’s beauty, but you can also learn a lot from looking at the gross side of nature, too. Join a park interpreter at the nature center to discover what you can learn about animals from their scat.