Fort Scott National Historic Site

And the Great Outdoors, Good Ol’ Days 2018

Fort Scott, Kansas: “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods…” John Muir

John Muir talked about how he cherished spending his time in the great outdoors. During his life, he felt it crucial to step away from the hustle and bustle of life occasionally and enjoy what nature has to offer. For a look at what nature and the great outdoors has to offer in Kansas and Missouri, join us at Fort Scott NHS on Saturday, June 2, 2018, as the site joins the town of Fort Scott in celebrating Good Ol’ Days.

In keeping with this theme of the Great Outdoors, Fort Scott NHS offers a variety of outdoor exhibitors from the Kansas and Missouri areas.

• As you begin your grand adventure, look for a sight rarely seen at Fort Scott, a canoe. Visit our canoeing and kayaking booth to learn about canoeing in the local area.

• Touch and see a bison hide, as a Ranger from Prairie State Park shows a variety of ways that Native Americans used the bison (or buffalo, as it is popularly known).

• Migrate to the Operation Wildlife exhibit and experience the adventure of seeing raptors up close in this live “Birds of Prey” program.

• Moving at a slow crawl will then bring you over to visit with Dr. Kathryn Reif, a KSU professor who will be discussing tick safety, and what measures to take while hiking or walking in the outdoors.

• If all this walking is making you hungry, then grab your lunch and a blanket and join us for an old-fashioned picnic while listening to tales told by a professional storyteller, Steve Otto. Work off some of your energy by competing in an old-time mattress-stuffing race.

• If you are looking for kids’ activities, bring them by for Youth Archery Instruction from Kansas Department of Wildlife &Tourism or earn your own junior ranger badge at the Junior Ranger booth.

• Dream of building that log cabin in the woods while watching National Park Service Exhibit Specialist Jim Bailey, perform a historic carpenter demonstration of hand hewing oak timbers.

• Finally, don’t forget to saunter with Buddy the Bison as he roams the Fort.

One does not have to travel far to create their own outdoor adventure! The schedule of activities will be as follows; all programs will take place on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Get a map as you enter the site showing where the various programs and stations will be located.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Buddy the Bison

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Canoeing/ Kayaking

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Youth Archery Instruction Session

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Broad-axe/ Hewing Carpenters Demonstration

10:00 am – 3:00 pm: “Birds of Prey” – (Live Raptors) Operation Wildlife INC.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Story Time – Tales of the Past

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Ticks – Did you know?

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Old Fashion Picnic- Please bring your lunch and a blanket

12:00 pm -12:30 pm: Old Fashion Mattress Race – with prizes