Area kids are invited this weekend to spend some time having fun and learning outdoors.

The Fifth Annual Jakes Conservation Day takes place at the Cedar Valley Conservation Club on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Cedar River Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) along with Mower County Pheasants Forever put on the event which includes a variety of activities such as trapshooting, rifle safety and maintenance, BB gun safety and marksmanship, archery, crafts and more for children under 17.

Local NWTF chapter member and district director Dave Alford said children of all levels of experience are welcome at the free event.

“We have activities for different ages and skills,” he said. “We will accommodate everyone.”

Activities can be made wheel-chair accessible, he added.

Those who attend the free event will be routed through a variety of stations featuring outdoor activities and will be given lunch. Participants are welcome to stay for the entire day or only for certain events.

Alford said that kids do not need to be interested in hunting to enjoy the day.

“The event is not just about hunting, it’s about outdoor awareness,” Alford said.

Alford will teach a workshop on birdhouse building Saturday, and each participant will go home with their own hand-crafted birdhouse, he said.

“There are also going to be games and prizes,” Alford added.

Each participant will take at least one prize home, thanks to donations by Jakes Coordinator Linden Anderson and local NWTF members, Alford said.

He continued: “We want kids to be excited about meeting mother nature and learning how to treat her. The kids are our future and it’s up to them to keep everything green.”

Lunch will be provided Saturday by Hy-Vee, Piggy Blues, Jim’s SuperFresh and Ankeny’s Mini-Mart.

To register for the free event, call Alford at 433-7630 or Doug Bergeman at 434-7984.

Annual Jakes Conservation Day

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday

Where: Cedar Valley Conservation Club on Highway 218, north of Austin

Details: Free event for children under 17; call Dave at 433-7630 or Doug at 434-7984 to register