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Real Name: Placer Nature Center Address: 3700 Christian Valley Road Auburn, CA 95602 Member Since: April 18, 2008 Last Signed In: November 13, 2008 Blog Views: 37 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
How to Take Steps Toward a Greener Lifestyle
Frakenfood: Creation of Life or Monster? Summer fun today builds the leadership of tomorrow July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 
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Summer fun today builds the leadership of tomorrow
This summer, at home or on vacation, hours of fun learning can come out of the use of a couple of simple tools, some you can even make! This out-of-school learning inspires curiosity and the wonder of nature in your child while building critical thinking and acute observation skills necessary for leadership.
The first of tool is the insect net – you can easily create one for just a couple dollars. All you need is an old wire hanger and a 5 gal paint filter (usually $1.50). Sew the filter on the hanger and you instantly have an insect net. Sweeping the net across the grass, along shrubs or the tall grasses of a field reveal unseen creatures; insects of all shapes and sizes so important to birds, frogs, and indirectly many other critters higher in the food chain. Dump the insects on a white pillow case to observe. Take it a step further and have fun documenting what you've found through drawing, writing or photography. Also, the library should have a number of insect identification books to give names to the unknown. The next handy tool is a hand lens. The hand lens can cost as little as $1.00 or as much as $2.50. It is recommended to put a lanyard through it to hang on your neck or elastic to put over the wrist. In the excitement of the search, the younger nature detectives have a tendency to put them down. These little devices invite a close view at flowers, rocks, soil, bark, leaves – an extension of the eye to the design of nature. Easily these observations can work into art sketches or paintings. Summer would not be summer without water. A homemade waterscope will give your child insight into the depths of the pond, streams and lakes without disturbing its inhabitants. All you need is a half gallon milk or juice carton, some plastic wrap and a rubber band. Open up both ends of the carton. Place a large piece of plastic wrap around one end and hold it on with the rubber band. The higher the plastic goes on the carton the deeper you can push it into the water. Push the waterscope into the water and observe. What swims by? What's on the bottom of the pond? Many books from the library can help identify what you discover. Children are natural scientists – questioning, comparing, observing; so, let the child be the guide. What interests them keeps them focused. Start the activity with no end-goal in mind (for example "finish the trail"). Don't be afraid to say I don't know – Questioning is more important than naming! Bring your enthusiasm and be a nature detective too! It's these little experiences that form the mind-set of the leaders of tomorrow. Studies have shown that our environmental leaders of today were influenced by two main reasons. First, as young children, they were given plenty of opportunity for outdoor play. Secondly, parents or another respected adult were part of that experience. As a parent you can model the enthusiasm, respect and care for our environment everytime you are with your child. It's time to go out and have fun! Author Linda Desai is the Education Director at the Placer Nature Center in Auburn, California. The Placer Nature Center offers four different summer day camps based on exploration to build critical thinking and acute observation skills necessary for leadership called "Footsteps to Summer Fun." Each week-long camp runs from 9AM to 1 PM, Monday through Friday. Topics range from geology, insects, mammals to birds and are offered for children 6-12 years old. Enrollment ends soon, for more information call 530-878-6053 or email linda@placernaturecenter.org For other activities and resources check out: www.cnaturenet.org or www.greenhour.org 0 comments from 0 users
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