Ozark Natural Science Center E - Newsletter May 2010
YOGA at ONSC

Have you registered for YOGA weekend yet??

Looking for a relaxing, meditative short weekend getaway with other ladies or perhaps a perfect gift for Mother's Day? Here is a look at our upcoming Women's Yoga Retreat on May 14-16th will look like at ONSC:

Friday, May 14

6 – 7 p.m. Arrive by 7pm to check in prior to evening program (group campfire featuring cheese, crackers, summer sausage, wine & s’mores)
Saturday, May 15
7:00 a.m. Optional Early Bird Outdoor Yoga Session
8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the Ewing Centre
9:00 a.m. Morning hike
10:30 a.m. Ewing Centre Yoga Session
11:30 a.m. Lunch & free time
1:00 p.m. Meditation briefing prior to afternoon sessions at 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30 pm (attendees select 3 of 4 options: guided hike, massage, yoga or meditation)
4:30 p.m. Free time/relax or shower
6 p.m. - ?? Campfire, sweat lodge sessions, wood-fired pizzas, cookies & chocolate stout
Sunday, May 16
8:30 a.m. Morning Yoga Session 4
10:00 a.m. Breakfast, then pack up & head home!

Cost is just $219 per person. Bring your own yoga mat and comfortable clothes and we will take care of the rest.
All skill levels are welcome.
Go online to register and for more information. www.onsc.us/events/yoga.php
Take a look at the ONSC Yoga flyer at
db.tt/O9xzUr
 


Bear Hollow Update


 We have been BUSY at ONSC!
 
Our teacher naturalists have been receiving some additional  training. Instructors for the American Canoe Association  (www.americancanoe.org), Art Bowie and Tom Burroughs, led a 2 day class on basics of canoeing and paddling. The instructors learned a lot on the Kings River, and have never "eddy'd up" so much (a basic canoe technique).

Instructors also participated in a 2 day swiftwater rescue class led by Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators. Teacher naturalists were instructed in canoe rolling, swiftwater swimming, throw ropes, and many other rescue techniques. Two days on the Kings River in 50 degree water temperatures was quite an adventure!

Major Spring cleanup...
All ONSC staff members were on hand for a 2 day major cleanup of the ONSC buildings and property. Two brand new sweat lodges were built to get ready for the upcoming Womens Yoga Retreat (www.onsc.us/events/yoga.php) and summer camps (www.onsc.us/summer/). The offices, museum/classroom, staff room, library, and overall Ewing Center were cleaned out and given a much needed facelift. ONSC Event Coordinator, Rachel Harris brought in some all- natural cleaners to really get the dirt out. Check out these tips on how to go green with your spring cleaning bit.ly/HI1eq from Planet Green.


Call of the WIld "Owls in Wonderland"

A "Hoot" of an evening

On April 24th, ONSC held its signature annual fundraiser "Call of the Wild" in Rogers. More than 350 people joined us for our eventful "Owls in Wonderland" evening. 3 Penny Acre provided entertainment while attendees mingled, sipped on beverages provided by Boulevard Brewing Company and Liquor World, and bid on silent auction items.

The ONSC Awards were slightly revamped this year.  We presented our first ONSC Educator of the Year award to special education teacher Ryan Finley from Grace Hill Elementary in Rogers. Our first ONSC Advocate of the Year award went to Cargill, Inc. who donated $8,000 to ONSC for the purchase of a fleet of canoes, trailer, life jackets and paddles.  Our top Journey award was presented to a very-surprised and deserving Kelli Roberts Brya.

Dr. Harry Harmon's passing a week ago weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of the vast majority of our attendees.  While it is impossible to quantify all that Harry and Jenny have done for and mean to the Center over the years, a moment of silence at the beginning of the evening and the award of the first ONSC Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Harry and Jenny kept them close in our thoughts.

The Dickey Ray Club operated for the first time without Dick Trammel, but stand-in David Thrasher brought in a highly-respectable $11,500 in less than ten minutes. The Dickey Ray funds give kids throughout Northwest Arkansas the opportunity to attend ONSC camps and school programs.

There are so many other things to celebrate, but overwhelmingly, we offer a heartfelt thank you to each and every sponsor, live and silent auction donor, attendee, partner, board member, committee member and our staff for a fantastic event that allows us to continue to enhance the understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the Ozark natural environment.  Thank you!

To read the entire Call of the Wild Wrap Up, log onto the ONSC blog at ozarknaturalsciencecenter.blogspot.com/

If you missed out on this magical night you can still support the Ozark Natural Science Center.
Log onto www.onsc.us and:
Thank you for your support!


ONSC Summer Camps

DON'T MISS OUT

Register for Summer Camps

ONSC is offering some new camps this year! Register your child or grandchild to spend a week exploring the nearby rivers, immerse themselves in nature and art together, or explore the great outdoors with experienced and educated Teacher Naturalists. Camps cater to kids ages 8 - 17.


Do you see the animal in this picture?
 

photo by ONSC Teacher Naturalist/Special Program Assistant Rob Seal

Enjoy the Ozarks!

"Coming here (ONSC) made me realize the true beauty of the Ozarks"
5th grade student from Walker Elementary in Springdale.



DADS in the
WOODS

Wondering what to get a dad (or grandfather!) who has everything? How about a weekend outdoors with the family? This special camp program will feature guided hikes in Bear Hollow and the McIlroy-Madison County Wildlife Management Area. Learn about the amazing biodiversity of the Ozarks while exploring the hidden beauty of Tea Kettle Falls. Your family will join our team of turtle trackers and collect valuable information to help conserve these critters. Camp is June 19-20th. No children under 6 years of age, please.
Go online to
www.onsc.us/summer/ to register.


'Tis the season

for BBQs, floats on the river, gardening, and lots of other outdoor activities!

Ecological Footprint
Everyday at ONSC we teach kids about their ecological footprint and how they can reduce their impact on the environment. Here are some "green" tips to reduce your ecological footprint while still enjoying this season to the fullest!
  • Charcoal or gas grilling? For about an hour of grilling, a gas grill puts out approximately 5.6 lbs of carbon dioxide, while grilling with charcoal briquettes puts out around 11 lbs. http://bit.ly/9gmSk8.
  • Avoid lighter fluid
  • Use reusable dishes rather than disposable dishes and cutlery
  • Grow a garden bit.ly/bMIcjD
*Make your Yard a Certified Wildlife Habitat! Join the National Wildlife Federation and create a wildlife habitat in your own backyard. Log on to find out more: bit.ly/b5y1or.


Goodsearch

It takes 1 minute to support ONSC!

Use GoodSearch as your search toolbar (it's powered by Yahoo), and ONSC will earn about a penny every time you search the web. Please download the custom ONSC toolbar right now. Visit
www.onsc.us
and click on the GoodSearch icon on the homepage.  It's free, painless and takes less than 1 minute. Please pass this along to all of your friends. The small time you spend downloading the toolbar for your browser and spreading the word can have an enormous impact for the Ozark Natural Science Center. Thank you!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
  • Watch the 3 minute video from KNWA's "Doing Good" segment about ONSC! bit.ly/cmgazY

ONSC Corps
Join the ONSC Corps!

The ONSC Corps is intended to provide an outlet for service, opportunities to align specific
skills with specific needs and a deeper conn
ection between members and the Center. Corps members will help spread the mission of ONSC to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark natural environment.
Email naima@onsc.us or chaines@ccfbrands.com with any questions. We are very excited about this new group and would love for you to be a part of it!


UPCOMING EVENTS

May 9.
Mother's Day
May 14-16. Women's Yoga Retreat at ONSC.
www.onsc.us/events/yoga.php
May 15. War Eagle Appreciation Day
www.wareagleriver.org/
May 31. Memorial Day


"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you...
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. "
John Muir



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