Mistletoe State Park has outdoor activities on deck

Organizers of Mistletoe State Park's winter events are helping residents enjoy the outdoors with a variety of programs.

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The events begin with a Winter Bird Walk on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. Leader Joyce Billue of the Audubon Society will lead a hike along the Cliatt Creek Nature Trail in search of small wintering birds.

The $3 park pass will grant entrance to the walk and a bird identification field guide will be provided for participants.

On Feb. 28, the park will offer a "Go Fly a Kite!" program.

"From kids to grandparents, all ages are welcome," said Marilyn Grau, senior corps project director of the third annual event. "The wind doesn't always wait until March 1, so why should we? Now is the time to prepare for those March winds."

The program will feature a kite-making event and costs $2 per kite. Participants can bring their own decorations or use those provided by the park.

Additional programs include a volunteer orientation on March 14 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Nature Center.

About 90 volunteers serve the park each year, she said.

"In general, the park needs adults," said Grau, "although that's not to say a supervised scout group couldn't help out with a shore cleanup, etc."

Additional volunteers are needed for the numerous programs that the park will offer this spring, Grau said.

"We are going to be jam packed with lots of fun activities in the spring, including some neat guided canoe trips," she said. "Folks should check online -- www.gastateparks.org -- for future activities, or call the park and ask to be placed on their e-newsletter mailing list for quarterly newsletters."

For information, call (706) 541-0321.