Additional resources

---

Pam Holz, author of this article, has provided an extensive collection of additional resources about creating fun outdoor experiences for kids. Thanks to Pam and the Washington County Conservation Board for sharing this information.

Background information

Related websites: Contains links to useful websites-from conservation groups to moon phases.
Day trip essentials: Lists what to pack for an outdoor day trip.
Iowa birding list: A handy checklist of Iowa birds for kids and adults who want to build a life-list (or day-list) of birds they see.
Nature concerns: From poison ivy to stinging insects, this page describes organisms that could have a negative effect on your outdoor experience-how to spot them, what problems they might cause and how to avoid those problems.

Activities

Fall scavenger hunt: A checklist of natural items that kids can spot or collect (whether in partnership or competition) without damaging nature.
Nature sleuths: This is a more advanced version of the scavenger hunt-an outdoor checklist that helps kids observe nature more closely. They can even keep score!
Night activities: Whether you're camping in the wilderness or enjoying the backyard on a summer evening, you'll find lots of fun ways to discover nature in the dark.
Shelter scavenger hunt: This activity helps kids consider how mushrooms, holes, fallen logs, etc., provide shelter for all kinds of creatures.
Supplemental activities for kids: From journal topics to casting animal tracks to research projects, these activities push kids to think more deeply about our environment.

Other articles by Pam Holz

Day camp: Reprinted from the "Tracks and Tales" series that Pam writes for her county newspapers. This humorous piece tells of outdoor adventures gone wrong-or did they?
The Power of suggestion: Also from Pam's "Tracks and Tales" series, this article addresses how adults can teach kids about nature's dangers without raising unreasonable fears.

 

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, INHF Communications Director, or call (515) 288-1846.