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The Rev. Jon Swope and the congregation at the Faith Baptist Church in Meeker love kids and try to have special programs just for them.

The church offers a Patch the Pirate Club on Wednesday nights for children in kindergarten to sixth grade that runs from September to the end of May every year.

Faith Baptist Church also will be having a Vacation Bible School on Aug. 14 to 17. They will have a penny offering, games, all kinds of door prizes, and a Bible lesson every night from internationally known John Wayne impersonator Dr. Gene Howard. The Bible school will begin at 7 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

For more information, call the church at 878-3139.

DOW asks people to report animal sightings

Wildlife watchers in the western half of the state can help the Colorado Division of Wildlife track moose and river otters by reporting any sightings to a local DOW office.

Moose were transplanted in Northern Colorado in the 1970s and in southwest Colorado in 1992. Since then, the population has increased steadily. But because the moose are solitary animals and spread out over wide areas, it is difficult for wildlife managers to track their progress.

If you spot a moose or river otter while you are out hiking, fishing or sightseeing, please make some notes if possible. Wildlife managers need location, GPS coordinates if possible, type of terrain, number of animals, color, sex, and if animals are adults or juveniles.

To report a sighting, call (970) 255-6100; Monte Vista, (719) 587-6900; Gunnison, (970) 641-7060; Montrose, (970) 252-6000; Durango, (970) 247-0855.

First Christian Church Bible school this week

Vacation Bible School/Summer Ministries program takes place daily at First Christian Church from Monday to July 21. The church will be turned into a construction zone that will teach "Building Character Like Jesus."

The week of activities will include great lessons, games, creative crafts and appearances by guest missionaries Andrew and Johana Stringer and family who are serving in Colombia. Classes are available for students from kindergarten (age 5 by Sept 1st) through adults. Child care is provided for nursery and pre-school age children of anyone attending the adult class.

Sign up in the church foyer beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, July 18, or call the church office at 824-6024.

DOW seeks input on conservation plan

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is seeking public input on its Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.

The strategy will guide how DOW works with other agencies and approach species conservation.

A copy of the draft and more information on the program can be found at http://wildlife.state.co.us/species_cons/CWCS/index.asp.

There will be a series of public meetings throughout the state later this month.