Don’t be left indoors this summer. Get outside, get moving and explore the great outdoors. This summer The Holden Arboretum will offer four different areas on the grounds will offer new opportunities for exploration and fun.
In the field, roll down a hill, dig in the dirt, weave in a giant loom with plants and see if you can jump as far as a grasshopper.
In the garden, crawl in and out of secret plant hideaways, use a hand pump to water the plants, or become a human-sized butterfly.
At the pond, try and catch a frog, float a boat or see what amazing things water can do.
In the forest, build a shelter with sticks, see what’s inside the cabin and see who is fastest on the tree obstacle course.
The summer fun kicks off at noon on June 7. All children under 12 will get in free on opening day.
During Wild Child Wonders, Holden will host a special lecture, Reconnecting Children with Nature: What’s Behind the Newest National Movement, by Bill Hopple, executive director of Cincinnati Nature Center and co-founder of Leave No Child Inside-Greater Cincinnati. Hopple will discuss research presented in Richard Louv’s 2005 book Last Child in the Woods showing the critical importance of frequent play in nature for healthy physical, emotional and intellectual child development. He will also address the national and regional initiatives taking place to address the issue and the ways parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers can combat what Louv has termed “nature deficit disorder.”
The program will take place at 7pm, Wednesday, July 2 and is free, but registration is required. Call 440-946.4400 for reservations. During the program, volunteers will be available to take children, ages 4-12, to play in nature.
Nature Play with your Child
Sundays, July 6 and 13 and Aug. 24
2-4pm
Parents, learn to engage your children in a way that allows them to play and learn naturally and safely outdoors. This series of adventures is designed for parent and child to explore different habitats and to allow the parent to become more comfortable saying to the child “I don’t know what that is but let’s discover it together”. Learn how to follow the instinctive cues of your child as well as basic techniques to enhance your explorations. Parents are expected to participate and old clothes and shoes are the dress of the day. Sign up for one or all sessions.
Parent and children ages 6-9
$15 members/parent and child (2 child maximum)
$20 nonmembers/parent and child (2 child maximum)
Pond Exploration
Sunday, July 6
2-4pm
Explore what lives in, on and around ponds. Bring a sense of curiosity as there will much to catch and observe. FAM343A
Stream Exploration
Sunday, July 13
2-4pm
Kids love streams. Be prepared to get wet as we walk up Pierson Creek to discover the unusual animals, homes and interesting parts of a stream to be found. FAM343B
Forest Exploration
Sunday, Aug. 24
2-4pm
From under logs to in the soil to up in the trees there is much to discover in the woods. Forest mammals and birds leave signs everywhere in the forest. A few techniques is all you need for fun in the woods.
For more information visit: http://www.holdenarb.org/
| Wild Child Wonder posted on Thursday June 19, 2008 |
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