Family Friday: The Fun of Family Campouts!

For June, Lucas Miller draws our attention to the fun of a family campout, whether it is in your own backyard or farther out in nature. The Great American Backyard Campout is quickly approaching so start talking with your family about how you want to participate!

On our last campout, we did not take Lucas’ advice about avoiding marshmallows, as you can see from this photo of the girls. He is right about getting them off your shoes! But the s’mores were such a hit that next time we’ll just step more carefully.

Do you have an old tent lounging on the top shelf of your garage? Some sleeping bags up there, too? Well, air ‘em out! And pull that dusty six-string out from under the bed, too, because the National Wildlife Federation is declaring June 27 the Great American Backyard Campout! Oh, yeah, and grab a couple of different kinds of kid-friendly bug repellent. Read more

Family Friday: Livin’ La Vida Croak-a

This month Lucas Miller shares a fun, inexpensive, and family-friendly activity. Our last home backed to a creek so we had the luxury of listening to the frogs’ serenades nightly there. We’ll need to take a trip to listen to their beautiful night music now but I assure you that it is well worth it. What a great way to help children experience nature!

It’s spring. Yes, the birds are singing—and so are the anurans (“frogs and toads” for those of you who didn’t study zoology). They’re out there filling the spring nights with their croaks, peeps, trills, honks, clicks ,and various other noises. If you think all frogs go “ribbit,” then think again. As Archie Carr, my zoological mentor, wrote, “Frogs do for the night what birds do for the day; they give it a voice. And the voice is varied and stirring; one that ought to be better known.” Read more

Of Milkweeds and Monarchs

Thanks to Lucas Miller’s previous post about milkweeds, we’ve had two young children very excited about spring in our house. My kids were fascinated with the idea of providing sustenance for monarch butterflies and sanctuary for their babies so, ever since we read the article, they have been asking when it would be warm enough to add milkweeds to our yard. We decided spring break would be the perfect time to do so and the countdown began.

Then, days before spring break began, the flu hit. Both girls got sick but with different strains, which allowed us to experience the full glory not once, but twice as germs were swapped. I am now ever more thankful that we own a washing machine.

By the tail end of spring break, everyone was finally feeling better. After a day of waiting to ensure no relapses would occur, we headed to the nursery. With their bright orange and yellow flowers and pointed leaves, the milkweeds were easy to identify among all the other plants. We had looked at some pictures online first, mostly because I wanted to spare the other gardeners a long search by two tired girls and their exhausted mom. Looking at the pictures definitely helped – the girls spotted the plants first. Read more

Family Friday: Book Review for ‘Sharing Nature with Children’

“Only by sharing our deeper thoughts and feelings do we communicate to, and inspire in others, a love and respect for the earth. When we share our own ideas and feelings, it encourages a child to explore, respectfully, his own feelings and perceptions.”
- Joseph Cornell, Sharing Nature with Children

Whether your family resides in a large city, is making a home in the suburbs, or lives in the country, Sharing Nature With Children by Joseph Cornell is full of activities to develop and foster a love of nature in your child. And yourself. Read more

Greening Kids and Turn Off the Water (When You Brush Your Teeth)

Since this site is run by a husband and wife team, we’ve had several family discussions about the website. Rich and I have been frankly surprised about all the ideas our children have had for the site. As a result, we are adding a new section today called Greening Kids. We’ll be sharing ideas from our two girls, who are currently 5 and 3, as well as other information to help trigger some family discussions for your family.
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