EMPORIA - On May 14, Kansas kids can enjoy the great outdoors at Outdoor Kansas for Kids Day (OKKids). The event provides an opportunity for kids across Kansas to experience various outdoor activities. For many, it will be an introduction to the beauty and enjoyment of the outdoors. For others, it will be a reawakening or reinforcing of their outdoor interests.

During this event, parents and children will celebrate OK Kids Day. Fifty sites across the state will host OK Kids Day events. One site is Eisenhower State Park, located on Melvern Reservoir. There will be activities for the whole family. Registration starts at 8 a.m., followed by a fishing derby at 8:30. (Participants need to bring a fishing pole.)

At 10 a.m., a flag ceremony will officially begin the day's activities, including the following: obstacle courses, fun in the sun safety, kayaking and canoeing, surprise guests, duck calling contest, train safety, drunk driving seminar, child seat safety, fingerprinting, motorized bike course, dump trucks, bucket trucks, fire trucks, archery, outdoor games, naturalist programs, and tractor safety.

The event is sponsored by the Conrad Carlson Memorial Foundation, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Emporia Quail Unlimited, and Kansas Wildscape, as well as many local area businesses. For more information on the Eisenhower event, contact Stephanie Dorsey or Dale Schwieger at Eisenhower State Park, 785-528-4102.

For information about OK Kids events near you, check the Kansas Wildscape website, www.kansaswildscape.org, or phone 1-866-OKKIDSS.

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