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.