Calendar

Nature Explorers - Fish Fun!

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm, come to whichever works for your family's schedule. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

We'll learn all about what makes a fish a fish, read a book, and do a few fishy crafts.

RSVPs are not required, but they are always appreciated!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Nature Explorers - Fish Fun!

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm, come to whichever works for your family's schedule. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

We'll learn all about what makes a fish a fish, read a book, and do a few fishy crafts.

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Kayaking at Diamond Lake

RSVPs are required for kayaking. To RSVP, call Amy at 319-213-5607. 

Meet at the Diamond Lake Boat Ramp. Beginners welcome! All sessions start with a quick lesson. Kayaks and life jackets are provided. 

Nature Explorers - Go fishing!

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm, come to whichever works for your family's schedule. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

This week we'll be fishing!  Meet at the Main Shelter for a quick orientation and then we'll spend the rest of the time fishing. We will have extra staff and volunteers available to help with fishing. Bait and poles are provided. If adults wish to fish as well they need to have their own fishing license. 

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Nature Explorers - Go fishing!

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm, come to whichever works for your family's schedule. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

This week we'll be fishing!  Meet at the Main Shelter for a quick orientation and then we'll spend the rest of the time fishing. We will have extra staff and volunteers available to help with fishing. Bait and poles are provided. If adults wish to fish as well they need to have their own fishing license. 

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Kayaking at Diamond Lake

RSVPs are required for kayaking. To RSVP, call Amy at 319-213-5607. 

Meet at the Diamond Lake Boat Ramp. Beginners welcome! All sessions start with a quick lesson. Kayaks and life jackets are provided. 

Nature Explorers - Bear Feet

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at the Main Shelter (near the playground) at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

Come try out walking like a bear, and other animals! We'll learn animal tracks (foot shape) and gaits (how they walk) and then take a walk to look for animal tracks in around Diamond Lake Park. 

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Nature Explorers - Bear Feet

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at the Main Shelter (near the playground) at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

Come try out walking like a bear, and other animals! We'll learn animal tracks (foot shape) and gaits (how they walk) and then take a walk to look for animal tracks in around Diamond Lake Park. 

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Kayaking at Diamond Lake

RSVPs are required for kayaking. To RSVP, call Amy at 319-213-5607. 

Meet at the Diamond Lake Boat Ramp. Beginners welcome! All sessions start with a quick lesson. Kayaks and life jackets are provided. 

Ready, Set, SAFE! Community Safety Fair

Ready, Set, SAFE! Community Safety Fair

Join us for the Ready, Set, SAFE! Community Safety Fair, a FREE family-friendly event designed to make learning about safety fun, interactive, and engaging for all ages! Explore hands-on safety stations led by local firefighters, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, Extension educators, and community partners. Participants will have the opportunity to learn valuable skills related to bike safety, ATV safety, weather preparedness, water safety, first aid, child passenger safety, and more.

Families can enjoy interactive demonstrations, educational activities, and exciting giveaways throughout the event. While supplies last, attendees may have access to items such as life vests, bike helmets, ATV helmets, infant car seats, first aid kits, disaster preparedness materials, and other safety resources.

Kids can complete activities at each station, collect stamps in their passport booklet, and earn prizes while learning how to stay safe at home, on the road, and in their communities.

 Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
 Location: Central Park, Grinnell, IA

Bring the whole family for a day of learning, fun, and community connection. Lunch will be available for purchase from Hy-Vee. We look forward to helping our community become safer, stronger, and better prepared together! 

Nature Explorers - Animal Tails

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at the Main Shelter (near the playground) at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

This week we'll be exploring the many shapes a tail can take. We'll read a book and do a craft!

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Nature Explorers - Animal Tails

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at the Main Shelter (near the playground) at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

This week we'll be exploring the many shapes a tail can take. We'll read a book and do a craft!

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Kayaking at Diamond Lake

RSVPs are required for kayaking. To RSVP, call Amy at 319-213-5607. 

Meet at the Diamond Lake Boat Ramp. Beginners welcome! All sessions start with a quick lesson. Kayaks and life jackets are provided. 

Crafternoons - Make and Take Prairie Bouquet

Join us for an adult program! We'll have a different activity each month throughout the summer. 

In June we'll use learn about prairie wildflowers in a hands on way - by making prairie bouquets! Bring a small mouth mason jar, or use one of our upcycled jars or bottles. 

This program will be capped at 15 participants. RSVPS are required. Call Amy at 319-213-5607 to RSVP. 

Crafternoons - Make and Take Prairie Bouquet

Join us for an adult program! We'll have a different activity each month throughout the summer. 

In August we'll try out some easy watercolor technicques to create nature themed notecards. We'll also have supplies on hand to make envelopes out of upcycled magazine pages so that you can leave with a card ready to drop in the mail!

This program will be capped at 15 participants. RSVPS are required. Call Amy at 319-213-5607 to RSVP. 

Crafternoons - Watercolor cards and upcycled envelopes

Join us for an adult program! We'll have a different activity each month throughout the summer. 

In August we'll try out some easy watercolor technicques to create nature themed notecards. We'll also have supplies on hand to make envelopes out of upcycled magazine pages so that you can leave with a card ready to drop in the mail!

This program will be capped at 15 participants. RSVPS are required. Call Amy at 319-213-5607 to RSVP. 

Kayaking at Hawthorne Lake

RSVPs are required for kayaking. To RSVP, call Amy at 319-213-5607.

Enjoy a morning on the water! We'll explore the lake at the DNR's Hawthorn Lake Wildlife Management Area, just 15 minutes southeast of Diamond Lake in Barnes City. We'll meet at the west boat ramp. Amy can help give you directions when you call to RSVP. 

Because Hawthorne is a larger lake some previous kayaking experience is preferred. 

Kids Kayaking Day at Diamond Lake

Do you have elementary aged kids who might like to try kayaking, but you haven't made it out to one of our evening or weekend kayaking programs? This is for you! We'll try boats out on dry land, fit everyone with life jackets, and launch into a shallow area of the lake, We'll have plenty of adults on hand, and gear for towing younger kids while they ride in their own boat. We'll also have other lake themed activities available on shore to keep kids busy when they aren't on the water. 

Grown ups are welcome to kayak or they can stay on shore with younger siblings if needed. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, snacks, or anything else you need to make it a pleasant time for grown ups and kids! 

RSVP required. Call Amy to RSVP or with any questions at 319-213-5607.

Kids Kayaking Day at Diamond Lake

Do you have elementary aged kids who might like to try kayaking, but you haven't made it out to one of our evening or weekend kayaking programs? This is for you! We'll try boats out on dry land, fit everyone with life jackets, and launch into a shallow area of the lake, We'll have plenty of adults on hand, and gear for towing younger kids while they ride in their own boat. We'll also have other lake themed activities available on shore to keep kids busy when they aren't on the water. 

Grown ups are welcome to kayak or they can stay on shore with younger siblings if needed. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, snacks, or anything else you need to make it a pleasant time for grown ups and kids! 

RSVP required. Call Amy to RSVP or with any questions at 319-213-5607.

Nature Explorers - Coyote Connections

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at the Main Shelter (near the playground) at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

Learn about this misunderstood mammal and the role of carnivores in ecosystems.

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Nature Explorers - Coyote Connections

Summer Nature Explorers is a free program for preschoolers through 5th graders - though learners of all ages are always welcome! We will meet every Tuesday at the Main Shelter (near the playground) at Diamond Lake Park.  Some weeks will be a nature story and craft, others will be a short science lesson or outdoor activity. The same program will be offered at 10 am and 1 pm. Feel free to bring a picnic to eat in the shelter before or after your program.

Learn about this misunderstood mammal and the role of carnivores in ecosystems with a story and game.

RSVPs are not required, but they are helpful for planning purposes!

Email Amy at adurbin@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov or text 319-213-5607. 

Kayaking at Diamond Lake

RSVPs are required for kayaking. To RSVP, call Amy at 319-213-5607. 

Meet at the Diamond Lake Boat Ramp. Beginners welcome! All sessions start with a quick lesson. Kayaks and life jackets are provided.