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This summer, Thurston County kids were treated to some special days of outdoor learning thanks to a “No Child Left Inside” grant and a group of caring community partners.
Kids currently in foster homes got to explore the Deschutes River by observing stream bugs, conducting water quality tests, learning about native plants, and sketching their observations.
The day’s activities were organized by Thurston Conservation District’s
South Sound GREEN coordinator, Anne Mills, assisted by Deschutes River
Ranch owner, Verna Petit, Community Youth Services, and local artist,
Anita Eisenman.
A second outdoor trip took kids to a local beach for a day of marine exploration and another chance to appreciate the wonders of nature.
Kids had a chance to use a seine net with Daniel Hull and Jeanine Toth from Nisqually River Nature Center to catch more than 100 fish which they identified and carefully returned to the water. At another marine site, David Jamison, volunteer biologist, pointed out the creatures living on the docks and in the water. Volunteer diver, Phil Sconce, brought up sub-tidal species, such as crabs, sea stars, and sea cucumbers. Kids held the animals carefully, did some sketches, and then carefully returned the seal life to their watery home.
While appreciating the beauty and intricacies of the natural world helps children become caring stewards of our natural resources, there are many other benefits to outdoor learning activities as well. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, which administers the “No Child Left Inside” grant to help children learn about and enjoy nature, explains the rationale behind the grant:
“Washington's children are as ‘plugged in’ as the rest of the nation's children. They are spending more time indoors, on computers, watching television, and less time playing outside. Children are not getting the experiences, memories and benefits of enjoying the great outdoors that previous generations did. Outdoor education and recreation programs can help turn this trend around. These programs help reduce stress of our over-scheduled children, increase their attention spans, reduce absenteeism, create positive behavioral changes and increase overall test scores. Outdoor education programs help children gain the experiences and benefits of connecting with the great outdoors.”
Beach Seining at Nisqually Reach
Exploring Marine Critters
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