58 Nebraskaland • April 2022
MIXED BAG
The campsite has been located, the gear unpacked and
dinner is being prepared. Now what?
Scavenger Hunts
What better way to explore the area than a scavenger
hunt? Plan it before arriving or spend a few minutes scouting
the area upon arrival. Each campsite has unique trees, rocks
and landscapes you can include in your scavenger hunt. Add
tangible items such as ant, flower, lady bug or rock, or make
an "experience" scavenger hunt with items such as "climbed
to the top of a hill" or "helped start the campfire." No two
scavenger hunts ever have to be the same.
Animal Olympics
If your family likes competition, play out an animal
Olympics at your campsite. See who can flap their arms the
most in 20 seconds — hummingbirds can do it 1,400 times.
Or, see who can jump the highest — a mountain lion can leap
18 feet. Or, see who is the fastest in the group doing a 25-yard
dash. Pronghorns can run up to 60 miles per hour. How do
you compare?
Pool Noodle Target
Grab your pool noodles, some duct tape and stakes or posts.
After using them at the lake, pond or pool, turn them into
a target. For your target's frame, place stakes or posts into
the ground and put pool noodles over the top. Then, shape
the noodles into circles and duct tape the two ends together.
Finally, attach all noodles together using duct tape. Try using
another pool noodle as a spear to throw through your target.
DIY Disc Golf Baskets
If there isn't an actual disc golf course at the campground,
make your own. Using only old tomato cages, round baskets
and zip ties, you can make portable disc golf baskets. Place a
basket inside a tomato cage and fasten them together using
zip ties. Create several baskets and space them out over a
large grassy area to create your own course.
CAMPSITE GAMES
By Monica Macoubrie
Games, including scavenger hunts, are a great way to pass the time at Nebraska's state park system. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
