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June 9, 2009

Area youth enjoy a recreation program offered at Sequoyah State Park.

By TRAVINA COLEMAN The Tahlequah Daily Press Tue Jun 09, 2009, 09:38 AM CDT

HULBERT — Sequoyah State Park Rangers Bryan Qualls and Barry Hardaway had their hands full as the first day of the Junior Ranger program kicked off for the summer at Western Hills Guest Ranch at Sequoyah State Park.

“It’s a success because of all the people who help out,” Hardaway said. “The rec staff and the nature center do a lot to make this work.”

The Junior Ranger program is provided annually for youth ages 8 to 14.

What began as a cloudy and wet morning cleared into a cloudless sky, and being Oklahoma, there was some humidity as the sun bore down mid-afternoon.

“I am glad it’s sunny,” Caitlyn Russell, of Hulbert said.

Sheri Russell, Caitlyn’s mother, said she was too.

“She has been looking forward to this camp since I enrolled her,” she said. “It’s nice, she went last year too. It was all she talked about.”

Twenty-two children gathered in the Cow Poke Recreation Center, enjoying some free time before their boat ride.

“They seem to enjoy it,” Hardaway said.

Just then, one young ranger came up asking Qualls for a quarter.

“I am thirsty,” said Daniel Clayton, a day camper from Hulbert.

“What have you had so far?” Hardaway asked.

Clayton said he had soda.

“Then let’s get some water,” Hardaway said.

While the two full-time park rangers and Cyndi Short, park naturalist, let the children burn some of the morning energy and their lunch of sandwiches, they were mentally preparing for a boat ride with 22 children.

“They really are fun to be around,” Short said.

Children who brought their swim clothes changed before the boat ride, since they might get wet.

“Everyone needs to wear a life jacket,” Qualls said.

“No excuses. Now get in a single-file line and lets do a head count.”

After heads were counted, the crew made their way to load in a park van and truck.

The chitter chatter in the van was lively and excited, as the children compared boating trips.

“I haven’t ever been on a boat before,” Hayden James said.

“You will get sea sick and throw up,” his friend said.

But of all the stories being passed in the back seat of the van, the children were up for anything.

They listened carefully to the rangers as they gave instructions for safety.

And no one fought the life jackets.

The two pontoon boats at the marina could accommodate 11 people plus the driver, and the children already had their captains picked.

“I want to go with you Byran,” one child said.

And another made Hardaway his choice.

One girl, Ashley Martin, of Hulbert, said she came to the program last year, but isn’t originally from the area.

“We moved here from Michigan,” she said.

Her mother has a sister who lives in Oklahoma, and she decided she preferred the weather

“I don’t miss Michigan,” Martin said. “It’s nice here. Everything is pretty easy to get to and I like the weather, even if it’s hot.”

For all the Junior Ranger campers, the first day is just the beginning of all the excitement.

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Rangers ready

Area youth enjoy a recreation program offered at Sequoyah State Park.

Last year, Cherokee County was hit with severe snowstorms in the winter, followed by devastating floods in the spring. What have you done to protect your property, in case it happens again?

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