July 6, 2009
I haven’t had a non-western blog in a while. A very long time ago we visited the awesome Mammoth Cave National Park in Cave City, Kentucky. It is a totally fun spot for the family to explore.
There are the cave tours. There are more than 70 miles of backcountry trails through forested hills for hikers and bicyclists. There is canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing on the Green River. There is horseback riding on 60 miles of trails. Also possible is camping and backcountry camping. Special family and children’s activities are available, as well – like Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park! These pages from the Mammoth Cave National Park website provide everything you need to plan an expedition in and around the world’s longest known cave.
Then there is a lot more commercialized stuff, too.
Hey, you corvette lovers! The National Corvette Museum is in nearby Bowling Green. Of course, you knew that already…it’s for the rest of us to find!
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Nature Activities, Places to Explore, Sport Activity | Tagged: backcountry hikes, Backcountry Hiking, biking, biking trails, Bowling Green, camping, caving, child, children, Corvette Museum, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, Green River, hiking, hiking trails, horse, horseback riding, Jellystone Park, kayaking, Kentucky, kids, Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, National Corvette Museum, Places to Go, swimming, world's longest cave, Yogi Bear | 
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Posted by mygrandmasue
June 29, 2009
This summer, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys will be offering four sessions of three-day, two-night Youth Backcountry Camps. These camps are intended to engage high school youth in a true wilderness experience and a service learning project on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
From the website:
“The Youth Backcountry Camps provide a valuable wilderness experience to youth in the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. These camps combine wilderness education, trail operations and maintenance, outdoor education, and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, all while camping in the backcountry in a life-changing outdoor program. Participants learn valuable lessons and gain outdoor experiences that will help them to connect with the environment and infuse environmental stewardship for the future, allowing them to spread their new found knowledge and skills throughout their community.
The TRTA Youth Backcountry Camps engage young adults between the ages of 13-18 who love the outdoors and want to learn more about backpacking, trail operations, ecology and outdoor leadership skills in an advanced wilderness setting.
Dates:
* Session 1: July 13-15th
* Session 2: July 16-18th
* Session 3: July 19-21st
Several topics incorporated will be:
* Map and Compass Orienteering
* Leave No Trace: 7 Principles for Minimum Impact Recreation
* Shelter building skills
* Flora and Fauna Identification
* Backcountry survival skills
* Team building exercises
* Leadership skills
Each camp has the capacity for 12 students and will be fully supported by TRTA and SNJ staff. The cost for the program is $99 (scholarships are available). Participants are provided with all necessary camping gear and food for the program. Participants only need appropriate footwear and a passion for the outdoors!
For more information or to register, contact Katy Washington
775.298.0238 or.katyw@tahoerimtrail.org”
1 Comment | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: Backcountry Adventure Camp, Backcountry Hiking, backpacking, children, Ecology, Green Hour, hiking, kids, Lake Tahoe, Leave No Trace, nature, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Ethics, Outdoor Leadership, Outdoor Leadership Skills, Places to Go, Service Learning, Service Learning Project, Sierra Nevada Journeys, summer camp, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Trail Operations, Wilderness Education, Wilderness Experience, Youth, Youth Backcountry Hiking | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 29, 2009
Have you ever hiked at night by the light of the full moon? Ok, with maybe a little help of a flashlight? In the Reno/Tahoe area there are two series of full moon hikes being offered by two separate groups.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is offering full moon hikes for members (Membership is $20 annually) starting at the Tahoe Meadows Trail trailhead. Per the event calendar: Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes led by experienced hike leaders. Take in inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses.
TRTA Membership is required to attend.
Space is limited; please call the TRTA office at (775) 298-0012 or email katyw@tahoerimtrail.org to reserve your spot. Bring a flashlight, layered clothing and water. This may not be the best hike for children under 10. Please, to respect the night sounds and wildlife, no dogs this time! The dates are July 7, August 6, September 4 and October 4.
The Squaw Valley hiking center guided moon hikes begin at 6:30 p.m. at High Camp (accessible via cable car). The hikes are approximately three hours long and are moderate in level. The dates are July 6 and 7 and August 4 and 5. The cost is $15 for adults, youth and seniors and $5 for children. Bring drinking water and flashlights and wear warm clothing.
The Squaw Valley hiking center also has guided sunset hikes July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 31 and August 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. For more details call 530-583-6985 or click www.squaw.com
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, Full Moon Hikes, fun, grandchild, grandpa, grandparent, hiking, hiking trails, kids, Lake Tahoe, moon hikes, night hikes, Places to Go, Squaw Valley, Tahoe Rim Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail Association | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 27, 2009
The Great American Backyard Campout is tonight. I wrote about this before. The Reno Gazette-Journal has an article here on Backyard Bonanza by Maggie O’Neill.
Do it! Have fun and take pictures! Send the best one in for a contest!
From the RGJ (Reno Gazette-Journal):
Send in a photo of your family participating in the Great American Backyard Campout for a chance to win a copy of Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Your photo could be published in the RGJ. Send submissions to moneill@rgj.com
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: backyard camping, camping, Camping With Kids, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, kids, Places to Go | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 24, 2009
Long Beach Marine Institute has two series of camps this summer. Ocean Adventure Camp is for ages 5-12 and Junior Oceanographer is for ages 13-16. The following information is from their poster:
Ocean Adventure Camp for Ages 5-12
Unique experience with hands-on marine science
Available June 22-August 21
$180/week or $680 for four weeks
Prices include all field trips
Each week has a different ocean related theme and is filled with projects, crafts, and aquatic fun designed to promote ocean sciences and conservation. Campers will enjoy weekly field trips, kayaking, snorkeling, an expedition aboard the Long Beach Marine Institute research vessel and lots more!
Week 1 & 6: Liquid Jungles
Kelp Forests and Coral Reefs
Session I: 6/22-6/26 & Session II: 7/27-7/31
Week 2: Mysteries of the Deep
Deep Sea Creatures and Habitats
Session I: 6/29-7/3
Week 3 & 7: Whales and Friends
Marine Mammels
Session I: 7/6-7/10, Session II: 8/3-8/7
Week 4 & 8: Invertebrate-A-Mania
Study of Invertebrates
Session I: 7/13-7/17, Session II: 8/10-8/14
Week 5 & 9: Shark Days
Study of Sharks
Session I: 7/20-7/24, Session II: 8/17-8/21
Junior Oceanographer Teen Camp for Ages 13-16
This oceanography and marine science camp is created for teens enthusiastic about learning and exploring our marine environment. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in oceanographic research and exploration while they live aboard the Research Vessel Conqueror. This week long excursion will allow campers to discover marine habitats along our coast and on Catalina Island. This camp will better acquaint students with the basic elements of geology, physics, chemistry, and biology. Hands-on activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and dissections are utilized to conduct investigations to re-enforce concepts learned. ** Inquire about school credit!
$1200/week
Price includes all room and board
Session I: July 13-17
Session II: August 10-14
Long Beach Marine Institute
6475 E Pacific Coast Highway #281
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562)431-7156
For more information, visit the Long Beach Marine Institute website.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: biology, camping, chemistry, child, children, day camp, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, hands-on activities for kids, Junior Oceanographer, kayaking, kids, Long Beach, Long Beach Marine Institute, marine biology, Marine Science, Marine Science Adventure Camps, Ocean Study, oceanography, physics, Places to Go, shark, snorkeling, summer camp | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 16, 2009
The Long Beach Press Telegram carried an Associated Press article by Catherine Teal about the great bargains and beautiful scenery to be enjoyed if you visit Aspen, CO in the non-ski months. I couldn’t find the article on-line, so you’ll need to check out the Aspen Chamber of Commerce website for details. There are 50% off deals for booking over a Wednesday night. What sounded awesome to explore is Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells wilderness area; however, it sounds like everybody is doin’ it from the USDA Forest Service website. Shuttle buses are in service to help with the traffic jams. This news release from 05/19/2009: On-Mountain Activities, Camp Aspen/Snowmass and Bluegrass Sunday Line Up for Summer 2009 captures oodles of summer events to include Silver Queen Gondola rides, alpine sightseeing and hiking, mountain biking, skateboarding, rock-climbing wall, camping, guided hikes and walks, disc golfing, fishing, backcountry hikes and Hatha yoga, storytelling and campfire sing-alongs.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore, Sport Activity | Tagged: alpine sightseeing, backcountry hikes, campfire sing-alongs, camping, child, children, disc golfing, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, guided hikes, guided walks, Hatha yoga, hiking, hiking trails, kids, mountain biking, Places to Go, rock-climbing wall, Silver Queen Gondola rides, skateboarding, storytelling | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 13, 2009
As a child living and learning in Wisconsin, I knew the Wisconsin Dells were the only part of Wisconsin that did not get flattened and scraped by the ancient glaciers. Very much later in life I explored them a little bit. The Wisconsin Dells are great for family expleriences galore! The Wilderness Resort website has all kinds of ideas for activities.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, hiking, kids, Places to Go, Wisconsin Dells | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 12, 2009
Lots of my past blog posts support this concept – the Green Hour. Here is the Green Hour website encouraging parents to get their children playing outdoors for at least an hour a day. It is a program sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation.
Other posts with the Green Hour tag.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Routine Activity | Tagged: child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, kids, National Wildlife Federation, outside activity, Places to Go, playing | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 11, 2009
Suzanne Broughton from the ‘ocmoms’ Orange County Register Moms Blog (with photos) wrote a great article about the St Regis Monarch Beach resort weekly Butterfly Release Ritual.
For the price of the valet parking, the whole family got a very special opportunity to watch the release of Monarch Butterflies from a big jar into the Dana Point, CA sky and the magical experience of each child to have a single butterfly on his/her finger for a while to marvel before it flitted off. Suzanne’s daughter to her “that her heart was beating so fast when they brought out the butterflies, she could hardly breathe.”
You have several opportunities to do this with your family if you are in the Southern California area – St Regis does it every Saturday at 7 p.m. through Sept. 5.
For other free or low-cost activities for families, visit ocregister.com/momblog.
2 Comments | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: butterflies, butterfly, child, children, Dana Point, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, monarch butterfly, nature, ocmoms, Places to Go, St Regis, St Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Suzanne Broughton | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 10, 2009
Richard Seven wrote Walking Toward Well-being: America’s Favorite Exercise in The Seattle Times. It’s fun, easy and inexpensive! An hour of walking outdoors with the grandkids counts as an hour of outside activity for Go Play Outside!!
Richard’s article had a link to find a walkers group if you’re interested joining one — or starting your own — see http://walkers.meetup.com. You can enter your own zipcode to find groups near you – or see a list of people interested in joining one if you would start it! There are all kinds of interesting groups: for example, a Tacoma walking-with-dogs group, or a collaboration of Redmond/Kirkland moms-with-strollers.
1 Comment | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, exercise, family, fun, Go Play Outside, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, kids, Kirkland, Places to Go, Redmond, Richard Seven, Seattle, walking | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
MyGrandmaSue 