National Parks are Inexpensive,

Kid Friendly Activities That Can Sneak Education into Summer

(taken from article posted on myfoxdc.com 7/5/10)

WASHINGTON - Looking for fun, inexpensive, kid-friendly activities this summer? You should give some thought to visiting the country's vast network of national, state, and local parks. They are a great deal that can help you sneak some education into a family vacation that won't break the bank.

Today in the Kenilworth Park, you join the cycle of discovery and rediscovery of this land that began when people started living here over 4,000 years ago. These wetlands sustained their civilization with clean water, abundant food, medicine, and shelter. From the cattail alone, people derived food, medicine, and the raw materials for household goods and summer shelter. They began the cycle of human discovery, loss, and rediscovery.

Remnants of this original wetland edge two sides of the ponds near the boardwalk. The value of local wetlands was lost to the English, accustomed to English bogs. They cleared the high land of protective forests to build farms in the1600s. Later, the Industrial Revolution increased deforestation for fuel, fences, and homes. Unprotected by forest, soil washed into the Anacostia River and deep channels that once harbored sturgeon, filled with silt.

Value is in the eye of the beholder. Walter Shaw found the wetlands were a good place to build his water garden. It would be many decades before we rediscovered the social value of wetlands. Before then, the Shaw and Fowler families would work to preserve their gardens and a happy accident would save a time portal to those past residents.

Natural mysteries, challenge, discovery, a flower opens, a leaf falls, ice cracks, a never before experienced day begins. They are here waiting for you each day, changing with a natural pace of tides and seasons.

It is no wonder this tranquil site is a place for yoga and tai chi practices, or where parents bring their youngsters to find a common bond with nature. Life moves seasonally and won't be hurried or delayed. Winter brings wildlife sightings. Spring sings with bird song and wild violets. Summer water gardens scent the air. Fall enchants with color and texture of ripening marsh seeds.

Unwind your imagination to find your own special memories in the ever changing nature of the park.

TAKE THE BUDDY BISON CHALLANGE

If family-friendly, spontaneous and inexpensive summer fun sounds appealing, sign up at buddybison.org Launched by the nonprofit National Park Trust on Earth Day 2010, this interactive and educational website is bursting with ideas to help children get outside, stay active and protect our nations greatest resource -- Americas local, state and national parks. Summer fun doesnt have to involve complicated itineraries, long packing lists or day-long waits in crowded airports, says Grace Lee, Executive Director of the National Park Trust. Sometimes the best getaways are the simplest. Most children would be thrilled to spend a weekend hiking with mom or dad on a local trail, exploring a nearby forest, or picnicking in a neighborhood park. Day trips to parks are a wonderful way to make memories, be surrounded by nature and get away from the hectic pace of everyday life.

Buddy Bison, a wooly stuffed toy, is your online mascot/travel director; children are encouraged to not only make Buddy Bison part of their outdoor adventures, but to share activities with him by uploading photos and videos to show Wheres Buddy Bison Been?. Kid friendly, the website contains content developed and approved by education experts and features ideas to help families make the most of the lazy days of summer.

Whether its a trip to a local park down the road, a state park or one of Americas nearly 400 national parks, kids are encouraged to print their own travel log and get going.

Users can record each of their park visits and challenge themselves to try something new each time. Based on points accumulated, there are free prizes, including Buddy Bisons, T-shirts, tote bags and cameras. 

To date, kids have taken the wooly bison toy to hundreds of parks here and abroad, from neighborhood parks, to Yellowstone, to the Great Wall of China. Become part of the fun and action this summer by logging ontowww.BuddyBison.org