Helena Outdoor Fest

While Brett took Liberty to Billings with the Youth group, I took the younger kids to the Helena Outdoor Fest.  It was held out by Spring Meadow Lake. We only made it for the last hour because the kids didn't really want to go. But I dragged them away from their electronics anyways! ;)
It turned out to be a bummer that we went so late because once we got there we realized they had some really fun things to do. Next year, we'll go on time and try out the rafting, kayaking and the kid's Ranger Station.

But... this year, we got to try out a few neat things!

Our first stop was at the Bear Safety Exhibit. They had tons of things to see and do. We got to fill out a Bear Safety Sheet by visiting "bad" campsites and "good" campsites, a non-safe backyard, and checking out a couple bear hides.
They also had a Bear Olympics but we wanted to try a few other things out before they shut down. By the time we finished everything else- we missed it. We'll have to add that to next year's list as well.
Justice also got to become a certified Bear Sprayer. It's like pepper spray for bears. The kids learn to spray the can. Then the people send a fake bear screaming down a track at you going at a very high speed. As it gets close- you spray him!!! It's pretty freaky but a fun thing for the kid's to try!

As a reward for filling out the Bear Safety Sheet, all the kids got a poster to take home. Later on in the day, they spent an hour playing "I Spy" with their posters. Too cute!

 Next, Justice tried out the Archery Station. You had to be at least 9 years old. He liked it but said he needs some practice! ;)

While Justice did archery, I took the girls down to the lake to do a little fishing! They would have liked to actually catch something but it was mostly just to practice casting and holding the pole. Brett will have to bring them back sometime, for sure!

Unfortunately, once Justice finished Archery and we walked around the lake to check out some other things, everyone was cleaning up their stations. Dang! We did get to take some supplies home to do the Leave Art Project. Which made Victoria one happy girl! On our way back to the van, we collected all kinds of leaves to make our Fall Wind Chime? (You can see finished ones in the left top corner of the collage)