J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center

🌟Guide to the 2026 Marksmanship Challenge at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale. 🌟

-Come join us TOMORROW (August 1st) from 9:00am to Noon-

Students 1st-12th grades are able to compete in the following events
🎯Air Guns
🎯NASP Archery
🎯3D Archery
🎯Slingshots
🎯Casting

🌟Upon your arrival, you will need to check in at the front desk within the exhibit hall. Here you will be given your score cards where you can then head to the Marksmanship Center to compete in all the events in any order. You will return your cards back to the front desk for score keeping and prizes. Participants will have the opportunity to compete regionally for medals against their grade. Statewide winners in each group will win a Genesis Bow courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation🌟

🥇ALL WINNERS will be announced at the Marksmanship Center at 12:30 after each event as concluded.🥇

Please visit https://www.agfc.com/education/2026-marksmanship-challenge/ for more information

The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center will be CLOSED on Tuesday, August 4th, due to staff meetings. Please feel free to enjoy the outdoor amenities as normal.🌼🌿🌳

Reminder of our Marksmanship Challenge 2026 that is happening August 1, 2026! Kids of all ages are invited to shoot for score at all events around the center, including target and 3D archery, BB gun, slingshot, and casting! Winners and awards will be announced at noon. Learn more at https://www.agfc.com/education/2026-marksmanship-challenge/

Date: August 1, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: J.B. & Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center

We wrapped up our 2026 Advanced Fish Camp this week and we hope our campers had just as much fun as we did! Students spent the week fishing at different lakes, learning new skills and techniques from our educators and a few special guests!

On our final day, students got to go out on boats with some of our educators and Captain Bill Ruby! We can't wait for them to apply everything they learned this week!

Marksmanship Challenge 2026 is happening on August 1st! Kids of all ages are invited to shoot for score at all events around the center, including target and 3D archery, BB gun, slingshot, and casting! Winners and awards will be announced at noon. Learn more at https://www.agfc.com/education/2026-marksmanship-challenge/

Date: August 1, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: J.B. & Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center

Day 1 of our Advanced Fish Camp was a success!

Students started the day with a short lesson from our educator Brett, then spent the rest of their day fishing and learning about the anatomy of different species of fish! We are so excited to see what the rest of the week holds!

Our Nature Center will be closed July 3rd & 4th for the Fourth of July holiday. We hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Fish Camp days 2 and 3 were full of hands-on learning and fun memories! We'll be sad to see these students go but can't wait to see them apply all of the skills they've learned this week!

Students got the opportunity to work together to dissect catfish, identify and sort macros in our creek, enjoy a fresh fried catfish lunch, and learn more about how their actions can impact our environment!

It's never too early to start learning about how you can bring the outdoors into your classroom! Join us for our July professional development days at the Ozark Highlands Nature Center!

Campfires to Classrooms: Outdoor Literacy for Elementary Educators
July 9th @ 9:00 AM - https://ar-events.s3licensing.com/eventprofile/1109

We're Going on a Bear Hunt, GIS Edition
July 10th @ 9:00 AM - https://ar-events.s3licensing.com/eventprofile/1108

Generation Conservation Summit: Overview
July 13th @ 9:00 AM - https://ar-events.s3licensing.com/eventprofile/1107

Day 1 of our Beginner Fish Camp is definitely one for the books!

Our students got to hear from a few of our volunteers as well as some of our Game Warden's. Students got to make take-home fishing lures and snackle boxes, they also got to tour our facility and practice their casting! We can't wait to see what the rest of camp holds!