Junior Ranger

Last week we visited Rocky Mountain National Park for a fun family weekend. We stopped in at the visitors center and discovered a really fun program for children called Junior Ranger. The kids received a small activity book filled with games and activities about the animals, plants, and history of the park. The book included a Nature Sketchbook, Trail Bingo, a Scavenger Hunt, Riddles, and more.

Then we took a 45 minute walk around the visitor center where an actual Park Ranger taught the children the differences between the types of trees and helpful tips about hiking in the wilderness. The kids enjoyed spending time with the ranger and learned a lot.

After the hike the kids received an official junior ranger badge. The are very proud to be junior rangers. We went for a family hike later and they told everyone on the trail that they were junior rangers. At the end of the weekend we asked the kids what their favorite thing is that we did and of course they said becoming junior rangers.

Check with your local parks to see what programs are available in your area. Or you can become a junior ranger through this online program.

National Parks Week

It is National Parks Week and what a great time to get your children outside and exploring in our nations 394 National Parks. You can visit any National Park from April 16th to 24th FREE of Admission.

The park system has protected many amazing pieces of property and it is important that the children can see these natural wonders. So get out there and explore your local parks or make a trip to see something new. It will be a trip your children will never forget.

We are lucky to live near Rocky Mountain National Park where our family explores many times each year. We visited Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park about two weeks ago and have planned our annual trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park in June.

Please share your favorite National Park in the comments. Now get out there and experience it.

Outdoor Education Series: Local Geology

Here in Loveland, CO we are lucky to have Big Thompson Elementary School of Nature & Science for our elementary aged children. We also have Rocky Mountain National Park just up the road. These two amazing resources have partnered together for an education series perfect for the whole family.

This past weekend we met up with over 60 other kids and family members to learn about the rocks and land formations in our area as presented by a ranger from Rocky Mountain National Park.

This particular January Saturday morning was cold and cloudy but not brutally cold. A large group of families gathered in the 4 Acre Outdoor Education Center of Big Thompson Elementary where we were surrounded by hills, rock outcroppings, and massive rock ridges. We all learned about sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Then the children played a fun outdoor game about rocks.

We then took a very short hike up the road to take a closer examination of the types of rocks in our own area. This was an amazing way to spend a Saturday morning as a family. We learned new things which led to new discussions, spent some time with other people in our community who also have a love for our local geology, and of course the kids laughed and played.

If you are in Northern Colorado be sure to join us April 23, 2011 for a similar experience which will focus on the birds in our area. If you live somewhere else inquire with local State and National Parks or other nature programs for what outdoor children education programs may be available.

Father Daughter Snowshoe

Like most kids, my daughters aren't always excited about going for hikes or other outdoor activities. Cold weather doesn't make the battle any easier but I have found that once I get them outside they start asking questions, naturally find things to do, and begin the enjoy themselves.

On this particular day I was determined to get my daughter out in some snow. We live on the Colorado Front Range where it is often warm and dry during the winter but deep snow is a short drive away. We grabbed our snowshoes and headed for Rocky Mountain National Park where we were sure to find plenty of snow.

When we pulled into the parking lot at Bear Lake it was snowing and the wind way blowing directly in our faces. My daughter told me again that she didn't want to do this. She just wanted to go home. I stayed positive and assured her that we were going to have a bunch of fun once we got out there. We put on our hats and gloves and walked straight into the wind.

Once we got to the trail head and had our snowshoes on we didn't think about the cold. We quickly got to the lake and walked right out onto it. In the deep snow it wasn't easy to tell that we were walking on a lake. I stopped, brushed some snow out of the way to show my daughter the ice and she was amazed. She lit up and asked question after question about how a lake freezes, what the fish do, and if we were in danger.

We saw animal tracks, examined our own tracks, threw snowballs, and even climbed on rocks. A few times we started to feel cold so we ran a little ways. It doesn't take long to warm up when you are running in snowshoes.

As we headed back to the car she was feeling cold but was too busy talking about how much fun we were having to worry about some cold fingers. Back at the house she told her mom and sister about the ice, snow, and how much fun we had. She was reluctant to go out in the cold but in the end she had a great time, learned a little about nature, shared some laughs with her father, and made some valuable memories.

Don't let your child's petty complaints stop you from spending time in nature as a family. You'll all enjoy the time together, learn a lot, and each time it will be easier and easier to get them excited about nature.