Floyd County libraries take the fun outdoors at Outdoor Family Fun Day

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

About 20 kids enjoyed the afternoon at Tosanak Recreation Area near Marble Rock on Saturday, part of an Outdoor Family Fun Day hosted by the Floyd County public libraries.

The kids made nature journals and painted rocks, went on a nature hike/scavenger hunt with Floyd County Naturalist Heidi Reams, then capped the day with Dutch oven cake made over coals and topped with icing.

Annette Dean, director of the Charles City Public Library, said her library was in charge of the Dutch oven cake.

There was some discussion about whether, after considerable beating, the icing was thick enough, and the consensus was, no, it probably wasn’t, but it tasted good, nevertheless, and spoonfuls of the icing were as good as spreading.

Liz Everts, director of the Rockford Public Library, helped the kids create the nature journals.

“We tried to make them out of recycled items, a lot of things that can be found outside, then they could draw whatever they wanted to remember the day,” Everts said.

Shelly Sharp, director of the Rudd Public Library, helped the kids paint rocks.

“The kids got creative and drew whatever they wanted. One of the boys drew a bicycle for RAGBRAI which just came through. There were a lot of rainbows and welcomes to their houses,” Sharp said.

Reams said she took the kids on a hike through the recreation area, including by the Shell Rock River. The kids had a sheet with a list of things to look out for, such as leaves with “teeth” and leaves that were smooth.

“We found some seeds, mushrooms and signs of insect activity,” she said. “They liked hiking down by the river. That’s always popular. I think some of them were just glad to go on a hike with me again. They haven’t seen me since the school year, so that was half the fun. We always have fun on the hikes.”

Dean said the kids had their choices of the activities they wanted to take part in. Some spent much of the afternoon playing “Jenga” with large blocks cut from two-by-fours.