The arrival of summer at Mueller State Park is an exciting time because it also means the arrival of the busy season and guests who will fill the campgrounds, venture onto the hiking and equestrian trails, fish our ponds and more.

It also means we are getting ready for our biggest annual event: Outdoor Skills Day, which is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 29.

More on Outdoor Skills Day in a bit.

First let me tell you all the work our staff at the park has been doing to get ready for our summer guests.

The trail crew has been busy assessing and cutting hazardous tree limbs in the campground.

Our maintenance team has been checking all of the electric hook-ups at the campsites as they wait for the weather to stay warm enough to allow them to turn on remaining water spigots throughout the park.

Rangers are repairing and modifying park signs and the Visitor Center staff has been training in anticipation of packed campgrounds and day visitors.

Of course, a highlight of any CPW park visit is the slate of free programs awaiting guests. Mueller naturalists have created a packed schedule of park programs including guided hikes, history and wildlife programs in the evenings, kid-focused activities, classes to introduce young and old to fishing and archery and much more.

Then there’s Outdoor Skills Day, which is an opportunity for visitors to try a smorgasbord of outdoor recreational activities.

Whether you are a seasoned hunter or a novice in the outdoors, you can try target shooting with .22-caliber rifles or try hitting clay pigeons with a shotgun. All equipment is provided.

Maybe you want to try the sport of archery. We’ll have one-on-one instruction in how to shoot a bow and arrow using one of our Genesis compound bows. Your skill level and ability don’t matter. Our trained staff and volunteers will help you feel comfortable and safe in building these new skills or honing expert ones. We’ll be offering “adaptive archery” as well for those who use wheelchairs or have limited ability of one arm.

Maybe you like to fish or simply want to give it a try. We’ll have multiple stations to practice casting a simple closed-face, push button rod and reel at Dragonfly Pond. There, guests can attempt to catch a colorful and plastic fish replica, or send a lure into the water to chase real fish.

Don’t worry if you don’t own a fishing license. For Outdoor Skills Day, CPW has waived the requirement that anyone 16 years or older buy a license to fish.

You can also make your way to the Trout Unlimited booth to try casting a fly rod. Even if you don’t want to cast yourself, it is worth watching as some consider fly casting a form of art. Shout out and thanks to the Woodland Park Pikes Peak Lions Club and the Friends of Mueller State Park for generously funding our new fly fishing gear this year. This opportunity would not be possible without them.

Explore other areas of the park for even more fun. Smell the aroma of a Dutch oven meal prepared over a fire. Journey into space with the Mobile Earth and Space Observatory. Listen to experienced outdoors people about Leave No Trace principles or what to do if you startle a bear, or vice versa. Taste a gooey S’more of your own creation. The list goes on and on.

More thanks to our other local supporters for this event: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, South Platte Fly Shop and 315 Survival LLC also in Woodland Park.

When you arrive, register at the info table which will be located at the livery this year.

You will be able to walk to the different activities, drive your own vehicle, or take a bus provided by the Teller Senior Coalition.

Now here’s the best part about Outdoor Skills Day and all the other events at Mueller: They are all free. All you need is a valid park pass for each vehicle in order to get into the park. Once you’re in, simply enjoy. This is truly a time for individuals, friends, families, and people of all abilities to enjoy the many recreational opportunities available at the park.

If you aren’t sure where to start or have questions, feel free to reach out to the Visitor Center at 719-687-2366.

Mueller State Park is located 45 minutes from Colorado Springs along Colorado Highway 67, just 3½ miles south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 24 at Divide on the west side of Pikes Peak.