Curiosity about the natural world is essential for a child’s development.   The study of nature encourages kids to be observant and investigative, and fosters a personal relationship with Mother Nature herself.   Summer outdoor learning experiences are prime opportunities for children to explore the world around them.

During select summer evenings, the Sea & Sage Audubon Society will hold their Summer Bat Walks.  Hop into the Family Batmobile and cruise over to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine.  The evening begins indoors with an educational presentation followed by a short twilight walk.   Sonar detectors will be used to locate two bat species feeding in the marsh.  Bat walks are for adults and kids ages 7+. Advanced pre-paid registration is required.

If your child’s not a night owl, he can attend Summer Nature Day Camp, also organized by the Sea and Sage Audubon Society.  At Fledgling Camp for 7-8 year olds, kids will learn to keep a nature journal, observe birds, play games and make crafts.  At Marsh Bird Camp for 9-12 year olds, kids will explore basic aspects of marsh bird life supplemented with plenty of hands-on learning.  Camps are scheduled during select weeks from late June to mid-July.

For ages 6-11, Inside the Outdoors will be hosting three week-long day camps entitled “Gross-ology Week” - two at the Shipley Nature Center and one week at their Rancho Soñado location.  Campers will investigate and celebrate the disgusting and slimy parts of nature all week long.  They will make edible scat.  Yuck!  They will grow their own fungi.  Ick!   And, because you can’t have a week of gross-ology without a wallow in the mud, learning the ancient craft of Mud Art is also on the agenda.  What an ideal camp for all those kids who think gross is cool!

Nature certainly doesn’t stop at the water’s edge.  Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s Science at the Seashore programs are wonderfully educational.  Their S.E.A. Club for 3rd-6th graders has a Monday afternoon series on marine science in June.  Kids will hike along tide pools and examine rocky shore animals, explore the mud in the salt marsh, use a microscope and even dissect a fish.  Their extended workshop on Crab Shells & Native Tales for 3^rd & 4^th graders starts the last day of June.  Kids will examine and hold hermit crabs, go crab fishing, feed barnacles, investigate life in the mud marsh, discover how native peoples have used the ocean and more.  CMA also offers a popular all-day boat trip on June 8^th to Catalina Island.  Entitled “Catalina Above and Below”, this program is for all ages (with adult chaperones required for anyone under 18).  Along side CMA staff, voyagers will catch, study and then release all kinds of sea creatures.  Anticipating exactly what will be seen or found adds to the fun for the young ones. 

A week of Gardening, Cooking, & Natural Building classes offered by Earthroots Field School  will really put children in touch with their original food source.  Kids will organically plant, harvest and cook straight from the garden.   Then they will create art and building projects directly from earthen materials like clay, sand and straw.  This camp is offered twice during the month of July for campers ages 5-13. 

Travel & Learn

Perhaps your entire family is ready to simultaneously get out of Dodge, commune with nature and have the adventure of a lifetime.  The following two options fit the bill:

How about a family Llama Expedition?  Yes, you read that correctly.  Llama trekking, at El Paseo Llama Expeditions, is a combination of hiking and camping in the mountainous area near Taos, New Mexico.  They offer trips ranging in length from 1 to 7 nights in various difficulty levels ranging from easy and flat to hard with difficult terrain.  El Paseo Llama really makes it easy for families with children to experience the thrill of llama trekking.  They provide all the necessary gear you need.  All you bring along are personal items and your sleeping bag. You’ll be assigned a well-trained and socialized llama to help carry your gear.  Kids under age two can ride in a backpack.  Kids ages 3-8 (and under 60 lbs) can ride on a llama.  Kids too big to ride can take on the responsibility of leading a llama.   An experience they won’t soon forget!  You will all bond with these loveable creatures and enjoy feeding them twice a day.  Your own gourmet meals are prepared using ingredients from their organic garden.  The special treatment doesn’t stop there.  El Paseo Llama will take you off the beaten trail away from the crowds and show you pristine nature at its best.  You will see tons of wildlife and marvel at the number of stars that twinkle when you’re miles away from  city lights.  Can you think of a more exciting way for your family to experience the beauty of mountain wilderness?

Or what about the thrill of a whitewater rafting trip?   Designed for families with children ages 5 and up, ROW Adventures’ Family Magic rafting trip lasts 4-5 days and covers the last 60-70 miles of the Salmon River.  Departing from Whitebird, Idaho, the trip will twist and turn downriver through volcanic canyons.  Intermediate level rapids add excitement but are interspersed with long pools of calm water for periods of relaxation.  Periodically you’ll beach your rafts to take short hikes to historic sites along your route.  Totally child-oriented, these trips are only for families and include an appointed River Jester^TM who entertains and leads nature-oriented games and activities.  All the busywork of how to set up camp is taken care of by a cargo boat that travels ahead and sets it up for you.  Your family will enjoy the soft white sand beaches along the river and will likely spot many birds of prey soaring overhead, river otters playing and deer coming to the river for a drink.  Arriving at camp around 4:00PM each day will give you plenty of down time to build sand castles, play volleyball, go fishing or just kick back and read a great book. 

Whatever your family does this summer, make some time to nurture their love for nature.  Sometimes a breath of fresh air is just what’s needed for maintaining family harmony.

Images courtesy of: ROW Adventures Inc, Sea & Sage Audubon Society, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, El Paseo Llama Expeditions.

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