Kids and Nature
Kids and Nature go together like milk and cookies, one was just made for the other. Kids were born to experience nature in it's many forms. Getting your family out into nature is great for everyone, especially kids. Mother Nature has so very much
to offer from fresh air and exercise, to family togetherness and
stimulating minds, to a sense of adventure and expectaion.
Here tips for bringing nature to your kids or bringing your kids to nature.
* State Parks and Government Recreational Agencies are a
great place to start. These are often close by or can be found
along the way when traveling. They are rich sources of
nature experiences. But you don't even have to go that far.
Most towns have nature areas, park or botanical gardens and
such, that you and your family can explore.
* Sometimes such parks have programs for kids such as Jr. Rangers or Day Camps in the summer. Plus they are awesome places to get into nature. Endless trails, picnic areas, cool bridges, swimming holes, flora and fauna offer amazing nature experiences.
* At these parks you can often volunteer as a family to keep the trails clean and safe (there is usually a group for that and they go out in small groups to do this). They might be called Trail
Keepers or something similar. This is a great opportunity for
Volunteerism family-style. Such a venture can bring a whole
new dynamic to family togetherness.
* Bring binoculars and nature guides (available in book form or
your phone or device) to observe nature. The most common critters to find are a wide variety of birds (including raptors in some areas), deer, squirrels, prairie dogs and other ground animals, lizards and the occasional snake. Not to mention frogs, newts and minnows if you are near water. And lets be sure
include insects.....most kids either LOVE or HATE bugs, but
regardless they can be fun to observe.
* Many other animals may live in the area but are either more
elusive or nocturnal. Try to look for scat, tracks or deep
deep scratches on the trees.
* Heed warnings about larger wildlife like bear and mountain
lions and if the areas is home to these animals bring a loud
hiking or marine whistle to use in case you see one. Also
cluster together to look bigger. Don't let little ones stray very
very far off. And when walking to trail make some noise.
One last thing, in the event you do see a mountain lion, for
example, do not run as it stimulates their prey drive. Attacks
by bear and mountain lion are exceedingly rare. But it is always
good to teach precautions both for safety and peace of mind.
* It is fun to find out about the local lore before arriving to your
destination. With booklets or information from the visitors center or library you will be able to point out markers etc and be able to tell about what happened at that site or nearby.
In our area, we had some real shady characters back in the day. Including a guy who went by the name of Black Bart. He had a
penchant for stealing from the folks riding stage coaches
between Foresthill and Auburn in California's Gold Country
(Placer County).
There is a place that can be seen off Foresthill road between these two towns that is known as Robber's Roost. It is the site where Black Bart supposedly hid his loot in a cluster of huge boulders above the American River. But so far no one has
discovered Bart's Booty.
* Tales like really peak a kid's interest and enthusiasm for ex-
ploring hidden gems in our country's wild or rural areas. Of-
ten the local libraries will have books about indigenous
people, explorers, interesting historical trivia, and about those who first settled the area. These stories can be
absolutely fascinating. Kids LOVE trivia and fun facts and they can be a stepping stone to delve deeper into a topic.
* Let's not forget Living History Days, Museums and out door
exhibits that are often offered by parks. Living History Days are loads of fun. Participants get into character and they
stay that way until their costumes come off at the end of the
day. These folks are actors that know their local history.
Two places not far from Placer County are Coloma State
Historical Park and Sutter's Fort. Both have amazing Living
History Days. You can learn how they mined for gold, see
actual candle dipping, find out how doctors doctored and at
certain times of the year, how holidays were celebrated.
* When you find "YOUR" favorite spot, stake your claim, so to
speak and visit this favorite spot regularly. You will build very
fond memories. Your children will speak of it for years to
come. A simple conversation starter will be as simple as
"remember that year we were at our spot and .........".
* So many of our children are severely deprived of experiences
in the out of doors. Parks, beaches, campgrounds, city parks and open areas are usually within everyone's grasp. I especially encourage single mothers and grandmothers to get out there with the kids. If you are daunted or intimidated by being out in the woods alone partner up with a single friend who also has kids or find a group like the Sierra Club who have a variety of
different types of hikes you can take part in (easy or harder).
Or go to meetup.com and find like minded people who love
nature and wish to share it with kids!
* Get out and explore Mother Nature. The benefits are infinite.
