WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Cope Environmental Center is planning to host two outdoor programs aimed at empowering women and girls through hands-on nature experiences.

The two events, EmpowerHER Outdoors: Empowering Women in Nature 2.0 and EmpowerHER Together: Empowering Women and Girls in Nature, will take place April 18—19.

EmpowerHER Outdoors 2.0 will run from 12 to 7 p.m. on April 18. The event invites women to participate in a full-day program of hands-on workshops such as Camping Basics, Wildlife Tracking and Navigation, Wilderness First Aid, Mindfulness in Nature, and Fire Craft & Outdoor Cooking. The day focuses on building outdoor skills, encouraging personal growth, and creating supportive connections among participants.

EmpowerHER Together will be held the following day, April 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. The program is designed for women and girls ages 8-15 to attend together and includes interactive stations featuring Camping Basics, Walking with Awareness, and Outdoor Safety and First Aid. Organizers say the experience is intended to promote teamwork, confidence, and exploration in nature.

EmpowerHER Outdoors costs $50 per person and EmpowerHER Together costs $25 per pair.

Registration is required with spots being limited.

PREBLE COUNTY, Ind. - Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio is celebrating its 59th Annual Maple Syrup Festival over the next two weekends.

The festival runs March 7-8 and 14-15 and will feature a pancake breakfast at the Hueston Woods Lodge from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maple syrup tours will run from noon to 4 p.m., giving visitors a look at how syrup is made, along with the cultural and natural history of the area.

Food, beverages, and maple syrup will be on sale throughout the day.