Buddy Bison's Buzz - May 2011

Hey Kids,

I could not be more excited that May 21st is almost here. There are so many exciting things happening in parks all across America because 160 mayors have issued National Kids to Parks Day Proclamations. A proclamation is an official ceremonial document that mayors create to support events and worthy causes in their communities. Check to see if your city is one of them.

Have you pledged to visit a park on May 21st? I really need your help. My goal is to have 10,000 families participating in this wonderful celebration. Please sign the pledge today and be sure to tell your family and friends to sign up too.

Please do not forget to tell me about your National Kids to Parks Day adventure!

• You can email your photos and stories to me at buddy@buddybison.org
• You and your family can share experiences and photos on Facebook.

America has so many different kinds of parks from mountains to seashores to historical battlegrounds. If everyone shares their stories and photos, I bet you will be as amazed with our parks as I am.

We can all have more fun and live healthier, happier lives by getting outdoors and enjoying our nation's parks. You can hike, bike, run and shout.

Take a look at the great companies that have helped make this day possible!

• Walmart
• The North Face
• Cigna
• Safeway

I also want to thank all of these wonderful partner organizations!

• U.S. Department of the Interior, Youth in the Great Outdoors
• America's State Parks
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• National Education Association
• Children's National Medical Center
• Boy Scouts of America
• Girls Scouts of the USA
• Children and Nature Network
• US Army Corps of Engineers
• President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition in support of Let's Move Outside!
• National Environmental Education Foundation

Be sure to check Facebook. I will be posting lots of interesting things between now and May 21st about National Kids to Parks Day.

"Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!"

Your friend,

- Buddy Bison

Central Park School Students Share Reflections from Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

My friends at Central Park School in Durham, NC recently visited Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Pea Island boasts ocean, sand dunes, freshwater, brackish water and is home to 365 species of birds as well as mammals and reptiles.

By Lucy, Central Park School, Durham, NC

Running Down Kill Devil Hills

I was so anxious and it was only the car ride there. I can't wait to slide down the cool soft sand of Jockey's Ridge. Yes, I did know I would get extremely sandy rolling down the tallest sand dune on the east coast, and of course I knew I would get a huge mouthful of sand. All of these things don't sound much like what I would like to do but something told me if I avoided the right amount of sand I would have the time of my life. When the cars arrived in the parking lot everyone hopped out I felt the outer banks spring breeze. We were on a field trip here from Durham, N.C the whole class so like 20 people including the chaperones. We all walked over to the bathrooms and then started up the trail. The walk was short and pretty but nothing could compare to the view I would be laying my eyes on in just a few seconds...read more

Read Lily, and Tallulah's stories from Pea Island

National Presbyterian Kindergarten Visits Daingerfield Island

One of our schools in Washington, D.C. was nice enough to share this note with me, and I wanted to share it with you. It really shows how great it is to be a Buddy Bison school!

"Thank you Kindergarten Team for such a fantastic field trip today! I love how you have embedded service learning in to the science curriculum, combining inquiry, nature, Buddy Bison, stewardship, and service. The activities that the children did today - tree-planting, "Mystery bags" and journaling, leaf rubbings, and the little hike - were age-appropriate extensions of your excellent class work. The students enjoyed being outside in a National Park on such a beautiful warm, sunny day, picnicking on the grass and frolicking in the meadow. The kindergarteners were well prepared for the activities, asked thoughtful questions, and were outstanding representatives of National Presbyterian School." — Dot King, Lower School Principal

Buddy Travels with Bullis Students on Spring Break

Thanks to my friends Will and Drew in Potomac, MD for taking me on these fantastic adventures.

We visited Monahans Sandhills State Park in Monahans, Texas over spring break. It was a park full of sandy dunes that looked a like a mini version of the Sahara Desert. The dunes looked like mountains of sand...read more.

Drew Takes Buddy to Disney World

We are counting on you to take your child to a park on National Kids to Parks Day on May 21st. Take time to explore the outdoors and play together as a family. It is good exercise, good stress relief and most importantly good fun! These are the times that our children cherish and remember. Don't forget to sign the pledge to participate! Be sure to get your kids their very own Buddy Bison to take to the park.

You know how important it is to keep your students minds engaged during the summer vacation. Here are some of Buddy's favorite ideas for exercising the brain and the body. Most importantly, they are lots of fun and that's all you really need to tell your students.

1. Connect with Nature—Make the pledge to play outside for at least one green hour a day. See lots of great ideas at www.greenhour.org.
2. Be a Wildlife Photographer—be sure to share your pictures on Facebook.
3. Check out your local Parks and Recreation Department for summer camps, sports, classes, swimming instruction and more!
4. Go Explore with Nature Rocks. So many activities, so little time!

For more great ideas, look inside your Buddy Bison Toolkit or check our Teacher Tools!