It is recommended that you always contact any site, prior to attending a program, to confirm that the program is still ongoing. Events in light grey are those that have been previously advertised, but have been cancelled.

The Children In Nature program is a multi-state initiative, offering a variety of opportunities for children to experience and benefit from the natural world.

Upon request, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Kayak Adventure, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This kayak program is offered to park guests on a prescheduled time only. The program will be limited to 4 people with experience in a kayak. Some canoes may be used for less experienced guests. This program runs for about 2 hours. For more information call 888-677-5200 toll free or 368-2086 locally.

Upon request, Poverty Point Reservoir State Park, Delhi - Guided Trail Hike, 10 a.m. Join a park ranger on a guided tour throughout the park's trail system to observe wildlife, bird watch, identify flora and fauna and much more. For more information call 800-474-0392 toll free or 878-7536 locally.

Fridays & Saturdays, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Interpretive Hayride, 5 p.m. Visitors are invited on a hayride tour of the park. The tour will include stops at prominent areas of the park where the park ranger will give a brief explanation of the area. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3503 locally.

Dec. 26 - Jan. 6, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Christmas Tree Recycling Program, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Live Christmas trees, with all decorations removed, can be delivered to Poverty Point SHS and will be used as mulch. For more information call 888-926-5492 toll free or 926-5492 locally.

Jan. 1, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - First Day Hike, 1 p.m. Beginning at the Visitors Center, the hike will include about a mile of park trails and conclude with questions and answers. Park staff will make maps, clean-up supplies and information about the park available to participants. The event should last between one and two hours. This event is an initiative in all 50 states to offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the new year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike. For more information call 888-677-5200 toll free or 368-2086 locally.

Jan. 7, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Native American History. With the help of an interpreter, participants can use the pictorial historical timeline designed to illustrate common misconceptions about the different points in Native American history. Guests of all ages can have a fun time interacting and puzzling out what the correct or true picture of each period would be. For more information, call 1-888-926-5492 toll free or 926-5492 locally.

Jan. 7, Chemin-a-haut State Park, Bastrop - Dutch Oven Cooking, 10:30 a.m. Hosted by the Bartholomew Dutch Oven Society at the Meeting Room, this demonstration will exhibit the various ways of cooking with black iron pots. Samples will also be available to the public served at noon. For more information call 888-677-2436 toll free or 318-283-0812 locally.

Jan. 7, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - Civil War Surgery & Medicine, 2 p.m. This talk will explore the medical treatment soldiers received during the Civil War. Also discussed will be the various diseases and illnesses contracted by the soldiers and how disease ravaged the ranks of both North and South. For more information call 888-677-6267 toll free or 872-1474 locally.

Jan. 7, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Scavenger Hunt, 2:30 p.m. The site ranger will give participants a list of items to look for on one of the park trails. Participants will then collect some items and answer questions for others. This program encourages participants to become aware of their natural surroundings. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3503 locally.

Jan. 14, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Crafts Day, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Guests are invited to come and learn about the great variety of symbolic objects and ornaments crafted from stone that characterize the Poverty Point culture while making a handicraft of their own. It should take around 1 hour to complete the project and participants are welcome to join in at anytime throughout the day. For more information call 888-926-5492 toll free or 926-5492 locally.

Jan. 14, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Bluebird Workshop, 10 a.m. This demonstration will be on how to build and attract bluebirds. There will be a guest speaker to demonstrate how to correctly build a bluebird house and where to place it for the best results. For more information call 888-677-5200 toll free or 368-2086 locally.

Jan. 14, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Dutch Oven Cooking, 10:30 a.m. Hosted by the Bayou Pots Dutch Oven Society, this demonstration will exhibit the various ways of cooking with black iron pots. Samples will also be available to the public. A park ranger will also demonstrate different ways to cook over a campfire. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3503 locally.

Jan. 15-31, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Health Walk, 3 - 4:30 p.m. This program is intended as a safe way for people to "get out" and enjoy the countryside while also promoting health and well-being. For more information call 888-926-5492 toll free or 926- 5492 locally.

Jan. 21, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Dutch Oven Gathering, 9 a.m. Gather at the Visitor Center and Pavilion 4 for this event. For more information call 888-677-5200 toll free or 368-6291 locally.

Jan. 21, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - Nature's Helping Hand, 2 p.m. This program will explore how the natural environment was used by soldiers and civilians during the trying times of the Civil War. Medicines, dyes, gunpowder and even beverage substitutes were concocted using ingredients from Mother Nature's pantry. For more information call 888-677-6267 toll free or 872-1474 locally.

Jan. 21, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Eye Spy Hike, 2:30 p.m. Visitors will be given a list of items to look for during a trail hike. This is a fun activity for kids to learn more about their surroundings. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3503 locally.

Jan. 28, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Arbor Day in the Park, 10 a.m. This program will teach the benefits of preserving trees as part of the ecosystem. Trail walks with tree identification and classroom demonstrations will give participants a greater appreciation of trees. For more information call 888-677-5200 toll free or 368-2086 locally.

Jan. 28, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Paper Airplane Demonstration, 2:30 p.m. Participants will have to opportunity to use their imaginations to create their own paper airplanes. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3503 locally.

Jan. 29, Black Bear Golf Course, Delhi - Super Bowl Scramble, noon. For more information call 318-878-2162 or visit Black Bear Golf Course.

Feb 4, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Camouflage Game, 2:30 p.m. The Interpretive Ranger will first give a brief lecture on how animals use camouflage as protection in nature. After the lecture, the participants will play a game in which they will look for "animals" on the ground. Some of the "animals" will have a good camouflage, others will have poor camouflage. The game will demonstrate the difference between the two. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3505 locally.

Feb 5, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Tool Demonstration, 1-4 p.m. Join park rangers as they demonstrate the tools used by ancient inhabitants to build, hunt with and create other articles used in their culture. Rangers will also discuss the origins and making of these ancient tools. For more information call 888-926-5492 toll free or 926-5492 locally.

Feb 11, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Basket Weaving Workshop, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., participants can enjoy learning the basics of basket weaving while creating their own woven basket. Included in the program will be discussion about Native American basket weaving and the unique prehistoric earthworks located on our site. For more information call 888-926-5492 toll free or 926-5492 locally.

Feb 11, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Bats and Bat Houses, 10 a.m. This program starts with a 30-minute video on bats and a demonstration on building a bat house. It will end with a discussion about the benefits of attracting bats to your yard. For more information call 888-667-5200 toll free or 318-6291 locally.

Feb 11, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Dutch Oven Cooking, 10:30 a.m. Visitors are invited to the park to learn the many ways and techniques to cook with black iron pots. The program is conducted by the Bayou Pots Dutch Oven cooking organization. The group gives demonstrations at 10:30 a.m. and then serves lunch at 12 p.m. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3505 locally.

Feb 18, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Dutch Oven Gathering, 9 a.m. Bring your Dutch Oven equipment to Pavilion 4, near the visitor center, and whip up some great-tasting food in the great outdoors. For more information call 888-667-5200 toll free or 318-6291 locally.

Feb 18, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - Artifact Identification, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bring your collection of artifacts and find out their purpose, use and age. The park staff has more than 40 years of combined experience in identifying collections of prehistoric artifacts. You may be surprised to know that some of your collected treasures can date back thousands of years in the past. For more information call 888-296-5492 toll free or 926-5492.

Feb 18, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - Children's Games of the Civil War, 2 p.m. This program will demonstrate the various games and toys played by children of the mid-19th century. Visitors will get to try their hand at Cup and Ball, Graces, Whipping Top, Stick and Hoop, and more. Fun for the whole family! For more information call 888-677-6267 toll free or 872-1474 locally.

Feb 21, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Mardi Gras Parade, 1 p.m. In conjunction with Doyline United Methodist Church, we present the 11th annual Lake Bistineau Mardi Gras parade. Various floats, vehicles, and marchers will move through the campgrounds tossing Mardi Gras throws. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3505 locally.

Feb 25, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville - Environmental Conservation, 10 a.m. This is a new program that will encourage kids and adults to be more mindful of our environment. The program will include how to conserve water and electricity, how to use less plastic and paper, and how to recycle everyday items like cans, paper and plastic. We will also talk about solar and wind power to produce electricity. For more information call 888-667-5200 toll free or 318-6291 locally.

Feb 25, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - 8th Texas Cavalry Encampment, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. A period Civil War cavalry encampment, complete with authentically uniformed soldiers and their horses will be featured at Mansfield State Historic Site. Members of the 8th Texas Cavalry living history unit will be portraying Confederate cavalrymen in a typical encampment setting which will include camp life, mounted horse drill, and daily soldier life. For more information call 888-677-6267 toll free or 872-1474 locally.

Feb 25, Poverty Point State Historic Site, Epps - "Building is for the Birds," 1 p.m. Participants are invited to join the park ranger as he discusses the many different types of birds you can attract into your yard by simply encouraging nesting. Examples of martin gourds, bat boxes and bluebird boxes will be on hand to discuss how they are made and set up. The first twelve participants will be given the opportunity to assemble and paint a standard bluebird box to take home. All others will be given detailed instructions and blueprints to build a box at home. For more information call 800-474-0392 toll free or 878-7536 locally.

Feb 25, Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline - Snake Identification, 2:30 p.m. The Interpretive Ranger will teach visitors how to identify different breeds of snakes. This program will especially focus on the differences between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. For more information call 888-677-2478 toll free or 745-3505 locally.