Rydell National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association will be hosting several free events for area youth this summer. The first of these events will be an Introduction to Archery, which will be held at Rydell Refuge from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16. This event is for youth ages 8-16 and will provide an introductory experience to archery using the safe and unintimidating Hoverball Archery System, where rubber-tipped arrows are shot at plastic balls that are suspended on a stream of air. This is a free event, and no pre-registration is required.
The following Saturday, July 23, the Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association will host the 5th Annual Youth Fishing Day Event at Rydell from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free event is targeted toward youth age 15 or younger. Anglers age 16 and older must possess a valid Minnesota DNR fishing license to fish on the Refuge. A limited amount of fishing tackle (rods and reels) will be available, or youth anglers are welcome to bring their own. Bait will be provided. The fish won’t be the only ones eating for free – lunch will be provided for all participants. This event will also include a fish cleaning demonstration and a casting seminar and contest. Certificates will be given to participants who catch their first fish, as well as for the biggest fish of each species and the winner of a casting contest. Other surprise prizes will be awarded to participants as well! Stay tuned for more information on this event in the coming weeks. Pre-registration will likely be required.
The third event of the summer will be a Youth Owl Pellet Dissection Seminar. This unique activity will be held on Saturday, August 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is for youth ages 8-16. Staff will guide participating youth through the dissection of their very own lab-sterilized owl pellet. Owl pellets are the undigested parts of an owl’s food, such as hair and bones, which are coughed up through the beak. Materials will be provided that help participants determine whether that skull they’re looking at is from a mouse or a mole or whether that leg bone is from a shrew or a sparrow. This is a free event, and no pre-registration is required.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these events with their children. For more information or if you have questions, contact Gregg Knutsen, Refuge Manager, at 218-686-4329 or gregg_knutsen@fws.gov.