To plan summer trips and activities, Iowa State students, faculty and staff can call upon the Story County Conservation Center for help.

The Story County Conservation Center assists students with getaway weekends, as well as helping faculty and staff find recreational activities for their own children.

“We have a variety of opportunities for people to get out and become aware of the various outdoor recreation possibilities in Story County, and throughout the state of Iowa,” said Jolene VanWaus, administrative secretary at Story County Conservation Center, 56461 180th St.

One resource the center uses to address all of the various opportunities is the Iowa Association of County Conservation Board’s Outdoor Adventure Guide.

The guide not only addresses summer activities, it also provides recreation information on all four seasons.

The guide gives a full description of the recreation services provided in each of the 99 counties in Iowa.

“Each county’s description includes a map and an outline of the types of recreational opportunities provided in each county,” VanWaus said. “These opportunities include camping, fishing, boating, nature facilities, picnic areas and the list goes on and on.”

The Conservation Center also offers various outdoor environmental — based programs directed toward children.

Waterbugs, a popular summer program, caters to children in kindergarten through second grade. The two courses in the Waterbugs program include Splish-Splash, a water awareness course, and Nature-Finders, a course that looks into the wonders of nature on land.

Another program, the Outdoor Adventure Camp, is for children in third through fifth grades and is hosted at McFarland Park on July 20-22, and Hickory Grove on July 22-24.

“The Adventure Camps teach children various outdoor skills, including canoeing, outdoor orientation, fishing and general outdoor survival,” VanWaus said.

The program takes place during the day, except on the last day when the campers participate in an overnight camp-out to test the various skills they have mastered.

The Outdoor Adventure Guide costs $4 at the conservation center, or $7 through mail. Anyone interested in more information should contact the Story County Conservation Center at 232-2516.