September 2025 Ozark Exploration: Fall Foraging & Settler History

🍂🌾 September: Fall Foraging & Settler History – A Taste of the Past! 🏡🌳

Step back in time and explore the Ozarks through the eyes of early settlers! 🚶‍♂️✨ This 2-hour, 1-mile hike takes us through the Meadow & Old Farm Loop, where history and nature intertwine. Along the way, we’ll stop by the historic Rookard House and Yarborough Cabin to uncover the stories of those who lived off the land.

What’s in Store?

🌿 Wild Foraging – Learn about edible plants, nuts, and fruits that homesteaders relied on for food and medicine!

🌰 Settler Stories – Explore the rugged lifestyle of early Ozark pioneers and how they thrived in the wilderness.

🏠Historic Landmarks – Visit centuries-old structures nestled in nature, with tales of survival, ingenuity, and tradition.

🍏Taste the Wild – Discover foraged flavors and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural abundance around us!

This family-friendly hike is perfect for all ages and skill levels, with mild to moderate elevation changes and plenty of chances to stop, learn, and explore. Come hungry for knowledge—and maybe a wild treat or two! 🌿🍏✨

Schedule

8:45am-8:55am - Check-in

8:55am - Orientation with ONSC staff

9am-11am - Hike

Important Information

🚗Parking: Parking is available on site in our main parking lot.

🥾Please bring water bottle, long pants, close-toed shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Ticket Information

• Ticket prices are by donation.

  • Suggested donation is $10/adult, $5/child 17 and under

• Registration is required to help with staffing needs.

• If you register and then are unable to attend, please let ONSC know at info@onsc.us so that we can adjust staffing needs.

  
  

  All proceeds go to support research, community science, and education at Ozark Natural Science Center.

  
  

Ticket Refund Policy

• Refunds up to 1 week before the event: Tickets are refundable minus any applicable fees (processing, administrative, etc.) until 7 days before the event.

• Refunds within 1 week of the event: For refund requests made less than 7 days prior to the event, a 50% refund will be given.

• No refunds within 24 hours of the event: Refund requests made within 24 hours of the event are not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances and only with approval from ONSC administration.

*Please note that all refund requests must be submitted in writing to jill.bowman@onsc.us. Refunds will be processed within 7-10 business days

Other 2025 ONSC Exploration Hikes

• May 2025 Ozark Exploration: Mushroom Meanderings

• June 2025 Ozark Exploration: Birding Around the Bends

• July 2025 Ozark Exploration: Geology Gallivanting - Fossils, Rocks, & Natural Paints

• August 2025 Ozark Exploration: Accessible Trail Adventures - Nature for Everyone

• September 2025 Ozark Exploration: Fall Foraging & Settler History

• October 2025 Ozark Exploration: Fall Foliage at Wishing Rock

• November 2025 Ozark Exploration: Native American History

• December 2025 Ozark Exploration: Winter Wonders

  
  

About Ozark Natural Science Center 

ONSC offers a unique, immersion-based approach to learning about nature and the natural sciences. Students visit us for authentic science learning experiences that are correlated with national and state science learning standards and provide in-depth education in biology, ecology, geology, social studies, and nature art – all while students have fun hiking and experiencing nature. Camp activities include  hikes, team-building, games, art, and small-group activities.

Questions? Please email Education and Community Program Manager, Liz Hill at liz.hill@onsc.us.