Take a Kid Crappie Fishing!

     The Take a "Kid" Crappie Fishing Tournament planned for Sunday, May 20 is an outdoor event designed to bring together youth and those young at heart in a quality of life event showcasing Big Hollow Recreation Area near Sperry. The tournament will begin at 8 am and last until 12 pm with the fish weigh-in directly following.

    The tournament is for kids and adults of all fishing skill levels, from first timers to regular fishermen.  Each "team" must be made up of at least 1 kid and 1 adult.  Teams can fish from a boat or from shore.  There will be a limited number of fishing poles available for loan to those who do not have poles of their own.  The entry fee is $25 per team.  Entering the "Big Fish" contest is an additional $5. All Iowa fishing and boating regulations apply. 

      Registration forms, along with a complete listing of tournament rules, may be downloaded from DMCC’s website: www.dmcconservation.com or may be picked up at Starr’s Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starr’s Cave Rd., Burlington, or at DMCC’s main office, 13700 Washington Rd. (please call first to make sure someone will be in the office), West Burlington. Registration forms will be accepted through 12 pm on Friday, May 18 at the DMCC main office. They may either be mailed or hand delivered (please call first to make sure someone will be in the office). Entries will also be accepted the morning of the tournament at the Big Hollow Lake boat ramp.

      This fun fishing event is just one of many DMCC special 50^th Anniversary (1962-2012) events being held in celebration of the milestone. The Anniversary events are also being held in conjunction with a capital campaign, “A Million in One Year,” led by the Partners for Conservation Foundation with an overall goal of raising $1 million in 2012 to complete projects at Big Hollow Recreation Area. At year’s end, Partners for Conservation hopes to have secured the funds to build an RV loop, beachside bathhouse and concession stand, RV loop, electric campsite hookups, and a campsite bathhouse. Proceeds from the Take a “Kid" Crappie Fishing Tournament will go towards these projects.

      The Take a “Kid” Crappie Fishing Tournament will take place on Sunday, May 20 at Big Hollow Lake and nearby ponds from 8 am until noon with the weigh-in directly after. Please direct your questions to Joel Behne at (319) 753-8260 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Tournament Flyer

Entry Form

Tournament Sponsors

Golden Ticket to Your Backyard Adventure

Local residents will be sent out to explore the community armed with their “Golden Ticket” to visit local attractions during the Second Annual Golden Ticket to Your Backyard Adventure promotion May 18-28.

Nine attractions and tourism related businesses will be opening up for discounted rates and offering special activities and programs during the eleven day promotion.

Burlington Trailways will be providing complimentary community tours on Thursday, May 24th from 5 – 8 PM in conjunction with the Downtown Riverfront Farmers Market. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history of downtown Burlington.

“Golden Tickets” are free and will be distributed throughout the community starting May 1^st. The tickets can be picked up at any of the partnering attractions or downloaded from www.greaterburlington.com.

If a participant visits six of the nine attractions during the eleven day promotion they are invited to return their tickets to any of the participating attractions to be entered into a drawing for prizes.

The nine participating attractions include the Art Center of Burlington, Burlington Bees Baseball, Burlington Public Library, Burlington Trailways, Des Moines County Historical Society, Fun City, Kenny’s Roller Ranch, Port of Burlington Welcome Center, and Starr’s Cave Nature Center and Preserve/Des Moines County Conservation.

For more information about this promotion contact the Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau at 319-752-6365.

Wild River Ramblings Newsletter

The Wild River Ramblings is a Des Moines Coutny Conservation newsletter that is delivered four times (fall, winter, spring, & summer) a year free of charge. Wild River Ramblings is the best way to learn about our upcoming events as well as local conservation news. Wild River Ramblings can be downloaded from our website or you may sign up to receive the newsletter electronically by e-mailing the main office at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If you do not readily have internet access, you may request to receive a paper version of the newsletter through the postal service. Contact the main office at (319) 753-8260.

Several Spots Still Open in Polliwog and Dark Wings Camps

SUMMER DAY CAMPS

All camps are designed to be fun and active and to provide high quality environmental learning experiences through games, crafts, stories, and in-depth exploration. Kids love coming to our camps and look forward to them each summer. Parents love our camps too because they know their kids are having fun AND are learning at the same time! All camps include a mid-morning snack.

Camps usually begin the third week of June but may vary depending on when the last day of school is and run through the first week of August. We have camps for 3 year olds all the way up to 13 year olds. With the exception of Polliwog, each camp has 12 openings, and Polliwog has 10 openings in each.

2012 Summer Camp Schedule & Additional Info

Remaining camp openings

Here is a description of our camp offerings:

Is the camp your child is interested in full?  Check back every few weeks, we do have cancellations from time to time.  There is not a waiting list but new openings will be posted on our website. 

Polliwog Camp 4 OPENINGS

Ages 3-4 with guardian accompaniment

9:30 – 11:30 am

Cost is $10

There are a total of 2 Polliwog Camps offered. Each is two days long and will take place during the week.

Parents can introduce their child to the wonders of nature during this camp. Both days there will be a hike, craft, and hands-on nature learning that parents and children will get to explore together.

Caterpillar Camp FULL

Ages 5-6

Mon-Fri

9 am – 12 pm

$25

In this fun camp, young children are introduced to the world of the outdoors. Activities include a different craft each day, stories, games in the woods, learning how to use binoculars, insect netting, and much more!

Discovery Camp FULL

Ages 7-9

Mon-Fri

9 am – 12 pm

$25

Explore the prairie, forest, and creek as we focus on habitat. We'll look closely at where animals live and what they need to survive.

Firefly Camp FULL

Ages 7-9

Mon-Thurs

7 – 10 pm

$25

See what comes out at night during this night camp! As the sun sets, we'll see bugs that light up, bats that eat them, and extraordinary birds with night vision. We'll also play flashlight tag and tell stories and roast marshmallows over the campfire.

Dark Wings Camp  2 OPENINGS

Ages 10 – 13

Mon-Thurs

7-10 pm

$25

What goes on in the natural world at night? We'll be hooting for owls, listening for bats, and peering through a telescope at the night skies. This camp includes one evening at Big Hollow Recreation Area.

Young Naturalist Camp FULL

Ages 10-14

Mon-Fri

9 am – 12 pm

$25

Investigate the natural communities of the creek, cave, prairie, and forest as you learn what it takes to be a real naturalist. You'll go on hikes, learn about famous naturalists such as Aldo Leopold, and try your luck on the rock climbing wall.

Registration

Registration for all summer camps is always held the last Tuesday in April from 5 – 7 pm at Starr's Cave Nature Center. No camp registration forms will be accepted until that time. That Wednesday after summer camp sign up night, walk-in registrations will be accepted at the Starr's Cave office. Forms will also be available online after sign up night at www.dmcconservation.com and may be either hand-delivered or mailed in. Registrations are not confirmed without payment.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available. If the camp fees are a financial hardship, please call (319) 753-5808 to inquire about assistance.

Volunteers

Most camps need volunteers to assist our staff with the exception of Young Naturalist and Polliwog. If you would like to be a volunteer for the week of your child's camp, the regular fee will be waived. Call (319) 753-5808 to volunteer.

Disabilities

If a disability prevents you from attending registration night, please call (319) 753-5808 to make other arrangements. We will do our best to accommodate your child's special need; please let us know about your child's special needs when you register.

Refunds

Full refunds will be given for cancellations made one full week before the start of the camp. Cancellations made less than a week before camp starts will not receive a refund (with the exception of medical emergencies).