Why should your family take the challenge? To fall in love with the natural beauty that is all around us. Many great men and women throughout American history have made efforts to preserve and to pass on the abundant natural wonders we now call State and National Parks.
It is my belief that we are a generation away from losing these precious places. Why? Because if we as parents, do not teach our children to love nature and take care of it, who will? Take the challenge and see how it can transform childhood and adulthood too.
At home:
Print off age-appropriate activities for each child. Keep them in a simple pocket folder. Let them draw or color on the cover.
Put blank paper in each folder for drawing or journaling at the parks.
Take an outdoor care kit. Include bug spray, sunscreen, water, and snacks.
At the park:
Choose four parks to visit within 4 weeks or one park a month for 4 months.
Visit the Ranger station and ask how you can get the most from your visit.
Walk a trail, take a swim, climb a tree and take time to notice the small things.
Discover what historical or ecological reason the park became a State or National Park.
After the challenge:
Each child can earn a badge for completing the four park challenge.
Add the badge to the front of their folder or create a journal to add more badges for other challenges in the Field Expedition Series.