Niobrara Council

"Boundaries don't protect rivers, people do."

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2024 Summer Camp Registration

History & Prehistory of the Niobrara

2024 Registration Opens April 22nd

Valentine Schedules:

PreK (4-5 year olds)   May 21st                   1:00pm – 5:00pm Valentine City Park

K-1 grades                 May 22nd & 23rd      1:00pm – 5:00pm Valentine City Park

2-3 grades                 June 3rd & 4th          9:00am-5:00pm Valentine City Park

4-5 grades                 June 17th @ 9:00am – June 18th @ 5:00pm

* 1 Overnight Sleepover with students at Valentine City Park *

6-8 grades                 June 23rd @ 1:00pm – June 25th @ 5:00pm

*  2 Overnight Camping with students @ Long Pine SRA *

Registration Form

Ainsworth, Bassett, Springview Area Schedules:

PreK (4-5 year olds)  May 29th                   1:00pm - 5:00pm Ainsworth City Park  

K-1 grades                May 30th & 31st        1:00pm – 5:00pm Bassett Library

2-3 grades                June 6th & 7th          9:00am-5:00pm Keller State Pak

4-5 grades                June 17th @ 9:00am – June 18th @ 5:00pm

* 1 Overnight Sleepover with students at Valentine City Park * 

6-8 grades                 June 23rd @ 1:00pm – June 25th @ 5:00pm

* 2 Overnight Camping with students @ Long Pine SRA *

 

Registration Form


 

 
 
Outdoor Education 
for the Classroom 
NVOEP Guide Available
 
Attention teachers!  Please check out this resource that shows how the Niobrara Valley Outdoor Education Partnership (NVOEP) members can help you as classroom speakers, provide materials, lead field trips, introduce you to quality curriculum and more! 

Download guide


 
Local students using the new Bridges to Birding binocular kit
Bridges to Birding Binocular Kit 
Available for Check-Out!
The Niobrara Council is proud to announce that it is one of 10 sites across the state to house a NEW Nebraska Game & Parks Bridges to Birding binocular kit! It is designed to connect Nebraskans to the outdoors through bird watching and foster an appreciation for Nebraska's bird species. Each kit contains 20 pairs of 8x21 bincoulars, field guies, a Flying Wild activity guide, and a binder of Nebraska-specific bird information. Kits are FREE to check out for 2-week periods. Contact Wendy at (402) 376-2793 or e-mail murphy@niobraracouncil.org to reserve the kit for your classroom, 4-H club, Scout troop, Assisted Living Center, etc. TODAY!

 
Fun Bird Websites!
 
Project BEAK (Bird Education and Awarness for Kids) is an interactive website.  This Nebraska-specific resource teaches students and educators all about birds and bird watching.  Filled with scientifically-accurate information, interactive games, build a bird, fun quizzes, and videos.  In addition, the website has numerous educator resources including classroom activities and websites.
 
www.projectbeak.org
 
The Nebraska Bird Libraray is an interactive website dedicated to helping Nebraskans identify and learn about Nebraska's birds.  Searchable by color, size, region, habitat, or by common or scientific name, the Nebraska Bird Libraray is filled with high quality images, bird descriptions, songs and Nebraska-specific bird locations.
 
www.nebraskabirdlibrary.org

 

 
Dutch oven cooking demonstration at Fall Family Day Camp
Niobrara Council Outdoor Education Program

What we can offer:

Links to MANY resources (people, materials, etc.) in the area.  We are part of a dynamic partnership called the Niobrara Valley Outdoor Education Partnership (NVOEP).
     
Partner website links:

Girl Scouts link

National Park Service - Niobrara National Scenic River
link

Natural Resource District (NRD) link

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) link

Nebraska Forest Service link

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission link

Northern Prairies Land Trust link

The Niobrara Valley Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) link

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension link

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service link



A library full of lesson plans and activities for all ages (Project WET, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, various books, plant and animal I.D. guides and MUCH more).  Check out the library catalog.
    
Outdoor exploration tools (magnifying glasses, compasses, GPS devices, Aqua Scope, digital microscope, nets, binoculars, etc.).  Click on each topic below for a list of current inventory:
General Outdoor Education
Games & Kits
Fishing Education
Outdoor Food
Project WILD Trunks & Curriculum - available through Nebraska Game & Parks

Ideas and tools for nature-based art projects
    
Leave No Trace outdoor ethics training and resources

Classroom or meeting presentations and field trips 
 
Help with organizing a nature-based service projects
 
Summer camps, Saturday camps, after-school activities, workshops and other events for children and families 

Updates on state and national training opportunities and events

Enjoying a canoe trip during Summer Camp
Education
News

FREE!
Nebraska At-
Risk Species
Guides Now
Available
As part of
the statewide
wildlife action
plan, the Neb.
Legacy Project,
a field guide to
all Nebraska's
at-risk species
was developed
by NGPC. At
nearly 200
pages and
filled with
photos, this
guide presents
scientifically
accurate, easy
to read info.
For a free
copy, contact
Melissa
Santiago at
melissa.santiago
@nebraska.gov
.

Attention 4-H
Families!
Learn how the
NVOEP can help
you with your 2013
environmental
4-H projects. 
We can provide
project leaders,
club speakers,
materials and
more.  Plans are
in the works for
skill days and
project work
sessions.  More info...