Nature Walks:

There is something so refreshing about the thought of being outdoors. I know it all depends on the weather, time of the year, and a few other important facts, like did you a get a good nights sleep. Each of my children loves being outdoors. When they were infants, taking them outdoors was one of the ways to quiet down a fussing infant.

Here a few things to consider when planning a walk or hike:

Senses: Use your eyes, ears and nose to capture the sights, sounds, and scents ... and don't forget touch!

Obedience: With a few instructions, such as: staying on the path; not touching leaves of three (might be poison ivy or oak); beware of poisonous critters, your adventure should be fun. (Don't scare the children, just make them aware they are going into an animal's habitat and this is not ours!)

Possible supplies: A magnifying glass, binoculars, sunscreen/ bug screen, camera, pad and paper, flashlight, zipper baggie, tweezers, wet wipes, bug catcher container (for catch and release), backpack to carry supplies.  Proper clothing, light colors in the summer and a hat, warm clothes in the winter!

Try to take walks in different ecosystems during the course of your school years. One year we hit several, took a break for a year and then went on many hikes the next. Begin simply in your own neighborhood then branch out. If you have never camped maybe this is a time to get started. If the thought of buying everything you need to “rough” it puts you off you may want to consider going to a “retreat” campground. Look around and see what is available nearby or take a trip!  Another idea is to rent a neighbor's equipment or look on Craig's list or similiar types of local listings for good deals.

Mountainous area: Look at rock formations. In Florida, there is an abundance of porous rock called limestone. Many times the kids can use a sharp object and scrape away at it and find fossil formations. I have the children look at the rock formations and categorize them. You can have them collect rocks from different locations they visit or enlist family and friends to bring rocks back for them. One year my mother returned from Italy with lava rock. We still have it! Remember use your resources

Beach area: Study or collect shells, coquinas are great fun to watch (Take a clear cup and fill bottom with sand some water and these tiny creatures. Then watch them bury down into the sand. It’s neat. Make a shell collection/ organize and classify your finds at the beach. Rules: don't take any living critter that is in a shell. Empty shells are fine. We can no longer take sand dollars or starfish if they are living.

Swamp area: There is an abundance of swamps in the Southern area of Florida. I have first hand knowledge of this because we happen to live in the middle of an area known as the 6-mile cypress slough. Some of our land is underwater for a good part of the summer. While it may not make me very happy at times, it supplies an abundance of wildlife for the children to observe and learn about. Just this week we observed: white ibis, blue heron, marsh hawks, egrets and more.  

Did I leave anything out? I am sure I did. Please share memories of nature hikes taken with your children.