Hobbs State Park Events

Dragonfly Program scheduled

While wandering through Zilker Park Botanical Gardens in Austin, Texas, Robert Thomas was photographing flowers and wildlife. Suddenly, a beautiful bright red dragonfly landed in front of him. Stunned at the beauty and vibrancy of its color, he shot a photo from about 15 feet away. That was all it took for him to be totally fascinated by these creatures. Thomas has spent the last 12 years traveling and photographing odonates (dragonflies). Thomas' collection of photographs contains many very rare species, and some of his special photographs have graced the covers of numerous field guides. As he puts it, "It's a matter of being in the right place at the right time, and a little good luck and know how."

Area residents are invited to bring the family and join in this colorful, unique and exciting program all about dragonflies. Immediately following the lecture, there will be an outdoor dragonfly catch and release at the visitor center. Visitors may bring a camera for closeup shots.

This program will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Conservation Area's visitor center. The cost is free.

Outdoor Adventure Day Camp

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area's Outdoor Adventure Camp is a new day-camp designed for 13-15-year-olds to explore the park on land and in water for three action-packed days. Campers will learn to kayak and snorkel on Beaver Lake. Outdoor Adventure Day campers will have unique hands-on learning experiences like reliving the history of the park through Dutch-oven cooking and using a two-man crosscut saw. Campers will also learn how to discover and identify some of the natural resources found along the park's trails.

Day camp participants should be picked up and dropped off at the visitor center at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, through Friday, July 13. Cost for the three days is $50. For more information and to register, call the park at 479-789-5000.

Nature Painting Workshop

Whether you've painted in the past, or if you have never held a paintbrush, this is the nature painting workshop for you. Lyshell Reann Hiatt-Blech, the instructor, comes from a family of artists. She does personal art instruction as well as group workshops for all ages. Lyshell will inspire and guide, step-by-step, as participants create their own nature masterpieces. Thanks to her supportive teaching techniques, even the novice painter can become successful. At the end of the two-hour workshop, participants will leave with new friends, new skills and their very own paintings.

The workshop will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at the Hobbs State Park visitor center. The fee is $30 per person and includes the cost of the class, plus everything needed for the artwork: canvas, brushes, paint and easel. Check or cash will be accepted on the day of the workshop.

Participants must pre-register. For more information and to register, call the park office at 479-789-5000.

Mother Nature Reading Times

Mother Nature herself has become a permanent fixture at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area lobby in the visitor center. Every second Saturday at 10:30 a.m., she visits the park to excite the imaginations of all the children around her. There is no cost for this activity and the length is one-hour. Storytime will be followed by "hands-on" nature-craft activities. Children of all ages are welcome, however, most stories will target children 3-6 years of age. For more information, contact the park office.

Upcoming Mother Nature visit dates and reading topics are:

• July 14 -- Water Dance: Water Cycle and Storm Drain Pollution

• Aug. 11 -- Caterpillar to Butterfly

• Sept. 8 -- Trees

• Oct. 13 -- Spiders

• Nov. 10 -- Stories the Osage Nation Tells

• Dec. 8 -- Squirrels: Busy All Year 'Round

Park Visitor Center

The Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center contact phone number is 479-789-5000. The visitor center is located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to www.friendsofhobbs.com and www.ArkansastateParks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea.

General News on 07/11/2018