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Early childhood professionals invited to Fifth annual Child Care Professionals Renewal Summit near Cozad
Jessica Kennedy
COZAD — Child care professionals from across Nebraska are invited to attend the 5th Annual Child Care Professionals Renewal Summit, taking place August 28–29, at Camp Comeca near Cozad.
The two-day event is designed to support the well-being and professional growth of those who care for young children while providing practical strategies they can immediately apply in their classrooms and programs.
Participants can earn eight hours of Nebraska training credit while engaging in interactive sessions focused on educator wellness, social-emotional learning, positive workplace culture, and effective strategies for supporting children and families.
Meals and overnight lodging are included with full registration.
This year's featured presenters include:
Josh Arias, who will lead an engaging workshop on using creative expression and art to promote social-emotional health for both children and caregivers.
Hayley Jackson Perez, who will present sessions on Adult-First Intervention, Positive School Culture, and Working with Challenging Adults, offering practical tools for managing stress, improving workplace relationships, and creating supportive learning environments.
The summit is open to child care center staff, family child care providers, preschool teachers, Head Start staff, and other early childhood professionals.
Registration options include:
Friday and Saturday: $90
Saturday only: $65
The registration fee includes meals, lodging (for overnight attendees while rooms are available), and all training sessions.
Spanish interpreter services will also be available to support participation by Spanish-speaking providers.
The Child Care Professionals Renewal Summit is hosted by the Childcare Professionals Advisory Team in partnership with the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Developmental Movement and Wellbeing Lab and is made possible through the support of numerous early childhood partners and sponsors.
Organizers hope the summit provides an opportunity for early childhood professionals to step away from their daily responsibilities, connect with colleagues from across the state, and return to their programs feeling refreshed, inspired, and equipped with practical ideas they can implement immediately.
Game and Parks adapting Lake Mac access for lower water
Staff reports
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area in Keith County continues to offer abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, paddling, swimming and shoreline recreation this summer.
As water levels gradually decline, Nebraska Game and Parks staff have been preparing to provide low-water access to the reservoir, the agency said in a press release.
The path to Spillway Bay’s ramp has been prepared where an emergency boat ramp was constructed of concrete railroad crossing plates in 2006, the last time water levels were this low. Pending federal approval and as water recedes, park workers will remove sand from the single-lane ramp so it is available for boat launchers. Four-wheel drive is recommended.
Agency employees will add rock to the bottom of the Diver’s Bay and Martin Bay boat ramps, pending federal approval, as water levels reach the end of the concrete ramps.
Water levels at Diver’s Bay have been tested with the intention of converting it to a shallow-water launch for personal watercraft or smaller fishing boats to reduce congestion at available boat ramps.
“Though water levels are lower than in recent years, Lake Mac remains the state’s largest reservoir with plenty of room for boating, fishing, paddling and swimming,” said Patrick Schnell, park superintendent. “Visitors also will find expanded beaches to enjoy along the shoreline.”
All major recreation services around the lake remain open, including beaches, campgrounds, lodging facilities, restaurants, convenience stores and other visitor services.
Nebraska Game and Parks staff monitor lake conditions daily and will continue to adjust facilities as needed, including relocating docks and removing sand from boat ramps to maintain access.
Visitors who prefer alternative launching options may use one of the local boat-launching services available in the area. Find vendors at VisitKeithCounty.com by searching for “towing.”
Boaters should take note that water levels west of Sand Point are extremely shallow; they are encouraged to avoid the area. They also should exercise caution, remain alert to changing water depths and operate at safe speeds when enjoying the state’s largest reservoir.
Visitors planning a boating trip to the reservoir should call the park at 308-284-8800 to get the latest information on boat ramp, dock access and lake conditions. They also can go to outdoornebraska.gov and search for “Lake Mac.”
Lake McConaughy is a multi-use lake that balances irrigation and environmental needs with recreational opportunities. Recreation on the lakes is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission through a lease with Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.
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Duck hunters select from two bag limits when registering for HIP
Press Release
LINCOLN — Duck hunters have their choice between two daily bag limits when they register for their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number this year.
Tier one is a traditional six-duck bag limit with species and sex restrictions. Tier two is a three-duck bag limit with no species or sex restrictions.
HIP registration begins Aug. 1.
During the registration process, hunters will be asked if they plan to hunt ducks. If they do, they will be prompted to select a tier. Hunters will be bound to that bag limit for the entire season.
The regulations will not apply to goose limits or during the early teal season, which have their own bag limits.
All hunters aged 16 and older, including residents, nonresidents, lifetime permit holders, veterans and senior permit holders, are required to register for HIP if they plan to hunt migratory game birds in Nebraska between Sept. 1, 2026, and July 31, 2027.
Residents under the age of 16 are exempt from the HIP requirement only if they choose the Tier one bag limit.
All hunters must register for HIP if selecting Tier two.
All nonresidents, regardless of age, must register for HIP for either tier.
A subset of hunters who choose the Tier two option may be provided with a journal, where they will record information on hunting activity and harvest.
The journal will be submitted to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at the end of the hunting season.
Starting Aug. 1, hunters must register for HIP through their permit system customer profile at GoOutdoorsNE.com.
Registered hunters are assigned a number they must carry with them while hunting.
Learn more at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Need help registering? Call the permit help line at 888-531-1198.
HIP, which is required by federal regulation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, helps wildlife managers estimate the number of migratory game birds harvested each year.
Migratory birds include doves, ducks, geese, snipe, rail, coots and woodcock.
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