21 Jun

Summer is here!

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The first day of summer is here!

School will soon be out and kids everywhere will be heading to summer camps and other things that parents have signed them up for to provide child care while they are out of school. Many parents have taken some kind of summer vacation but, our system isn’t really set up for that. Most people get only three weeks of vacation time a year which doesn’t really coincide with the eight weeks most kids get off.

So, off the kids go to various summer camps, day camps, hockey lessons (I still don’t quite get those in the summer) and, more often than not, to their basements to play video games.

Let’s focus on the positive for a few moments though, shall we? Finding the right summer camp. I should let’s you know that I’m in the summer camp business, there’s your disclaimer, so I’m really biased to my type of camp. But here are the things that you should be looking for in a nature based summer camp:

First, it should focus on nature. When I look at the average camp brochure these days, I notice that a lot of them are computer camps, sports camps and sometimes even fitness camps. A nature based camp will focus on games and learning about nature. Ask the camp director what sorts of activities your children will be doing. If all you hear are soccer, canoeing and games and there is nothing about free time with nature, look elsewhere.

Next, it should be in a natural area. While I think there is value in the community based day camp, if it doesn’t go to at least a natural park, it’s not going to expose your kids to nature.

Finally, residential camps are better than day camps, especially for o Oder kids. Day camps don’t offer the chance for kids to learn about stars, experience sleeping in a tent or really internalize the nature experience. They’re good if nothing else is available, but they’re not as good.

Please, if you get a chance, send your kids to camp. There are few experiences that are as transformative as a good summer camp experience. Plus, it will give your family something to chat about around the campfire.

20 Jun

Simple pleasures

Posted by kidsandnature in Uncategorized.

On Saturday, I took my son for a picnic in the park.  We didn’t get all complicated about it with a basket and a blanket.  We went to the local convenience store, bought hot dogs and chocolate milk and sat on the grass.  We looked for birds and squirrels.  We saw the ducks.  We didn’t get too deep into the reason why we were out there, we just enjoyed being outside.

Then I taught him how to roll down a hill.

I should probably mention that my son is three and I’m in my mid 30s.  It’s likely been fifteen years since the last time I rolled down a hill (at least ten).  We had so much fun!  There was lots of giggling and laughing.  There was an awful lot of “again daddy!”  We must have rolled down that hill in the middle of town twenty times.

Eventually we had to go home, but the next time we see a hill in the middle of a park, I know what we’ll be doing!  Creating memories and teaching that there is more fun to be had outside than inside.  Naw – we’ll just be having fun rolling down a hill!

18 Jun

Rain gear

Posted by kidsandnature in weather. Tagged: , , , , , .

I honestly think that a lot of the reason why people don’t like the rain is that they had a bad experience when they were a kid.  Too many of us had ponchos or windbreakers as rain gear when we were little and, as a result, the rain meant being cold and wet.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

I’m  strong believer in outside in all weather.  Now, to do that, you have to make sure that you and your kids are equipped to be warm and dry.

That starts with making sure that you have the base layer taken care of.  If you live some place where rain and warm go together, you’re all set, but for the cold rains that we used to get on Vancouver Island it means sweats, a hat and mitts – all synthetic of course – likely you have that already, but if not it can be hard for under $30.

Then, look to buy a pair of rubber boots.  For you, you can find a black pair for under $20, and a brightly coloured fun pair for your child at about the same cost.

Then, it’s time for the rain suit.  You want to make sure that you’re covering your legs and your torso.  More so for your child.

There are one piece suits available for kids – we’ve had this one for a while and our three year old loves it.

Two piece suits are also a good idea.  Just make sure that the top is a jacket and not a poncho – sleeves make a big difference.  I also recommend buying fully waterproof for kids over the waterproof breathable fabrics. You’re going to replacing this stuff often as your kids grow and, with that in mind, cheaper is better.

So, now you’re outfitted with quality rain gear, you’re going to be dry in the rain.  Now you can get out there and hike, paddle or just go splashing in all weather.

16 Jun

What to do on a rainy day

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Looks to be pouring outside today.  This spring has been typical of the past few here in Alberta – wet, wet, wet.

Way too often, we think of rainy days as the time to get indoors and watch tv (actually, that seems to be one of the default activities regardless).  With the proper clothing, you can get outdoors in all weather and explore, play and splash in puddles.  Now, I don’t want anyone rushing out and buying the rain gear that would allow them to be outdoors for a three week expedition at sea.  That’s overkill.  But, if you and your kids have rain pants, a rain jacket and rubber boots (probably about $40 worth of stuff each), you’ll be all set for short trips outdoors in the rain (or for a week long canoe trip).

So, what do you do when you get out there.

First – make sure that you spend at least a few minutes jumping in puddles and enjoying the water splashing up.

Then, you can set up cups to see how much rain is falling.  You had talk about where rain comes from (the water cycle) and imagine where it’s going.

Play a bit in the puddles – let your kids touch them, maybe dig some channels in the mud if you’re near mud and watch where the water flows.  Float sticks down a river (assuming that it’s not flowing too quickly).

Make sure that you get good and wet, sing some songs about rain (it’s raining, it’s storming is a personal favourite of mine), and dancing a bit.  Play tag, laugh a lot and make sure that you go inside when the first one of you starts getting cold.  That way it will still be fun next time!

15 Jun

Hockey, nice evenings and nature

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As I’m writing this, I understand that game 7 of the Stanley Cup is on. I know that because my twitter feed is all a twitter with people “cheering” for the game. I don’t think I’ve seen as many people excited about hockey since the series in the early 90s when it looked like the Leafs were going to play the Habs in the finals. How does that connect? I listened to the final game of that series on the radio while sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows. I distinctly remember the game ending, turning the radio off and looking at the stars. I suspect that, tonight, most people will watch with their kids, turn off the tv and go to bed.

So – here is a challenge to you all. When the game ends tonight, take your kids outside for a second and show them the big dipper (if this was winter, when hockey is supposed to be played, I would suggest Orion – my favorite constellation). Talk about the full moon and how earlier today there was a lunar eclipse. Help them connect a memory that will just be about their team winning (or losing) with a natural experience and they will remember it forever.

13 Jun

Leaf Snap

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I used to be one of those people who thought that tech had no place in the wilderness. Slowly, that has begun to change. A big reason is apps like Leaf Snap. This really cool app allows you to use the camera on your iPhone, iPod touch or ipad to take a photo of a tree leaf and it will identify the tree for you. Right now, it’s Eastern US only, but as a proof of concept, it’s a great idea!

Good tech can be a great way of engaging the video gamers in your family. I’m going to check out some more as we move forward.

13 Jun

Travelling in cars

Posted by kidsandnature in games. Tagged: , , , .

It’s pretty easy to think that you don’t have time to help your kids experience nature because you’re always shuttling them about in cars.  Likely many of you have band practices, french lessons, a daily commute, and soccer games to attend, not to mention a drive to the family cottage in the evenings.  It’s pretty easy to put on a DVD and let that amuse your kids while you travel.  I know that I’ve done that relatively often.  We also play guess that roadkill, look at the clouds and spot the colour yellow and keep score (I saw a family doing that recently on the metrorail in Washington, DC – they were having too much fun).

The National Wildlife Federation has come up with a great way to get you going – Car Window Bingo – the cards have pictures on them so that kids of all ages can play.  The smaller kids can mark them with crayons, to avoid terrible messes and have a great time.  As always, a straight line wins (depending on the length of the trip, the prize may vary – I would suggest against candy for very long trips).

When you do stop (and I would suggest stopping often), take a few minutes to look for some species you haven’t seen before.  If you have guide books in your car, you can research what you saw when you get going again.  Ask your kids how what they found was different than what’s at home or if they’ve ever seen something like it at home.

I also always make sure that my kids make a point of picking up at least one piece of garbage and throwing it out to leave the rest area a bit better than we found it.

Stewardship doesn’t need to be hard.  We just have to know to start small and do something!

13 Jun

Garden update

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Wanted to give you a quick garden update this morning. Checked on the garden and we have a nice row of radishes going. Exciting news.

12 Jun

Out in the garden

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My wife and I put in a garden this past weekend. It’s a great way to not only teach out son about where food comes from, but also how to dig in the dirt and appreciate being outdoors. Not that it’s that hard for him to appreciate being outdoors. He’s been outdoors his whole life. We go for walks in our neighbourhood (currently a summer camp, but it’s also been an urban area, a cottage and a city from time to time. We spot trees and local animals. We smell leaves. What we don’t often do it travel somewhere else to find nature. Nature is all around us – it’s not something that you have to drive a long way to go see. When I was growing up in Toronto, we used to go explore the ravines and the local parks. We’d dig on the beach and skip stones. I believe that it was those experiences that led me to have a passionate connection with nature and that those experiences still exist today, if only we would allow our children to do them.

David Suzuki just wrote a great article about backyard nature in his blog – he says that we need a new kind of NIMBY – Nature in my backyard. I agree and have been saying so for the past few years. If we could just convince people to head out into their backyards and look for the local species that are already out there – the birds and bugs, the plants and animals – we would be much father ahead in helping kids to get out of the basements and outdoors into nature.

Having a family garden plot is a great first step to that goal. Plant some easy crops – our radishes are already coming up! I should point out that we’re not really gardeners, so this will be a work in progress. It’s just one way that I’m hoping to be able to help you get your kids outdoors.

That’s what this blog is really all about – easy ways for you to get your kids into nature. Over the next few months, years, days and weeks, I’ll be sharing some of what I’ve learned, some ideas that I’ve picked up along the way and neat new things that I notice that just might work. I’ll likely also get up on my soapbox from time to time and I’ll share just why nature is important. Hopefully you’ll come along for the ride.

12 Jun

A day at the zoo

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I actually wrote this a few months back and never got around to posting it:

A great way to get kids interested in nature is to tIe them to the zoo. It’s fun for all ages and you can, likely, learn about local species in a controlled environment. By getting an idea, up front, about what you should be looking for on your nature walks you’ll greatly increase your chances of actually seeing something when you’re out. Most zoos have a local species area (the Calgary zoo even has local trees!) and, far too often, these areas are ignored by the public in favour of exotic areas featuring lions, tigers and zebras ( admit it, you thought I was going to say bears, oh my). My experience shows that these areas are less crowded and that a child is just as excited to see a moose as they are to see a giraffe. What a great place to explore together!

Here are some ideas to try while you are at the zoo:

– try sketching one of the animals – make sure that you note the features
– try sitting near an animal habitat and listening – Many open air habitats attract local birds, etc
– look for misplaced species – today we saw deer mice in with the monkeys
– try to guess the animals without looking at the signs using field guides
– make sure that you visit at least one exotic species – and compare features

So – the zoo, an easy place to share a bit of local nature

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