The season for enjoying summer activities in the Yankton area is slowly disappearing like a kayaker paddling beyond the horizon on the Missouri River. Rangers with the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR), a unit of the National Park Service, have been facilitating free “Kayaking 101” clinics 9 a.m.
-noon every Wednesday at Lake Yankton since June 12 southwest of town and they will continue in 2024 through Sept. 18. There also is one scheduled during Labor Day weekend on Sunday, Sept.
1. “These clinics only focus on kayaking,” said Abby Schauer, the MNRR’s lead park ranger for interpretation, education and outreach. “Since the clinics are for beginners and the intention is to help folks feel comfortable in a kayak and learn how to paddle, Lake Yankton is the only location where we facilitate the clinics.
” Even though each kayaking clinic is designed for beginners and those new to this water activity, all are welcome to participate, though registrations are required due to the limit of 12 spots available per session. “We spend the first 30 to 45 minutes on shore learning about kayak safety, the parts of the kayak, the different strokes, how to enter/launch and land/exit a kayak safely, what to do if you fall out and how to get back into the kayak,” Schauer said. “While out on the water, participants get a chance to practice their newly learned skills, play water games, tour around Lake Yankton and learn about the history and ecology of the river and its surrounding ecosystems,” she said.
She said the MNRR’s policy allows clinic participants who are 10 years of age and older to each be alone in a kayak. “Participants ages 5 to 9 are welcome to join, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak,” Schauer said. “We have three tandem kayaks available (for) each clinic.
” She said all materials are provided to clinic participants, including kayaks, paddles and life jackets. However, attendees should bring sun protection, water to drink and a snack to eat. Swim shoes or strap-on sandals also are highly recommended footwear.
“The clinic may be canceled at any time due to inclement weather or unexpected circumstances,” Schauer said. “Every participant must also sign a waiver. Everyone signed up for the clinic stays with our group for the duration of the clinic.
” She explained why people who are interested in learning how to kayak should sign up for one of the clinics. “If people like to spend time outside, enjoy being out on the water and desire to be more comfortable in a kayak, then they should definitely sign up,” Schauer said. “Every ranger is a trained and certified American Canoeing Association paddle-sports safety facilitator,” she added.
“Safety is our number-one priority. We want to help you learn, be safe on the water and have a fun time.” Reservations for the year’s remaining kayaking clinics may be made by calling the MNRR office in Yankton at 605-665-0209 Ext.
21. ——— In addition to the upcoming kayaking clinics, there are other area MNRR events scheduled for this weekend for people to be aware of if they want to attend: *At 6:30 p.m.
Friday, an evening ranger-led talk called “Two-Eyed, Big-Eared, Flying, Fluffy, Bug Eaters!” has been slated for the Clay County Park campground west of Vermillion. *A “River City to Bridge City” guided hike is set for 9:30 a.m.
Saturday at Riverside Park in Yankton. The Yankton Meridian Bridge Centennial Committee also is scheduled to meet at the park’s Dakota Territorial Capitol Replica. *At 6 p.
m. Sunday, a guided hike called “A Most Beautiful Place: Lewis and Clark, Then and Now” will be held at the Spirit Mound Historic Prairie north of Vermillion to mark the 220th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition journeying through the region. No registration is required for attendees.
On Aug. 25, 1804, members of the expedition explored Spirit Mound and saw an endless sea of tallgrass prairie with roaming bison and elk herds stretching far out into the horizon. Today, in present-day America’s Heartland, the sky might not be so endless, and the bison and elk might be long gone, but the prairie and its wildflowers are coming back.
Attendees of the ranger-led guided hike at Spirit Mound will learn more about the discoveries the expedition made in the area. Topics will include the animals and plants of the trail, prairie ecology, prairie restoration practices and more. The trail is just under a two-mile roundtrip with moderate elevation.
Attendees are encouraged to bring water, a snack, binoculars and a camera. In the case of inclement weather or poor trail conditions, the talk will be delivered inside the shelter at Spirit Mound. More information on these and other events may be found by calling the MNRR office or going online to www.
nps.gov/mnrr and Facebook..
