Resources for outdoor adventures

Russell with a heart-shaped treat. senk 2013

Earth Day should really be a part of every day. That is what I'm teaching my boys.

Messages of savoring nature's beauty, appreciating the hard work of gardening, and interacting with the real world out there are mingled throughout their homeschooling curriculum. But, it's more than just a curriculum; it's a way of life. Learning is as much a part of living as living is of learning.

No matter where you live, there are ample opportunities to enjoy (often free) activities that help your children get into the great outdoors. In the Shenandoah Valley, our family frequents Shenandoah National Park - hiking along paths that start along Skyline Drive's slow meander along the mountain crest. An annual pass pays for itself by the second or third trip, so we make that an anniversary gift each August. In addition to state or national parks, consider visiting town parks (which often splash natural colors and textures even amid cityscapes) or zoos or vineyards or living museums or farm markets, etc. For Earth Day, our family ventured to Stanley, VA, and helped to plant grapevines at Wisteria Vineyard. We relished the family time traveling over Massanutten Mountain. As enjoyable as the (free) event was, our family also learned (together) many valuable lessons: how to properly plant a grafted grapevine (which can be applied to any grafted plant), the importance of working together (many hands really do lighten the workload), how to follow directions and observe carefully, etc. By the end of the morning, Joey could properly stake a vine and Ezra was a master at gently placing grapevines into prepared holes. And, did I mention, the learning was free!

Joey & Ezra at Wisteria Vineyard.
senk 2013

It can be difficult to find those few good resources that yield information on fun outdoor events in your area.  But, be diligent - ask friends and family, surf the Internet, and ask proprietors of the places you frequent. Where I live, a great resource for upcoming events and places to visit is "The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and West Virginia." Click on the "More events" link in the "Things to Do" box on the bottom lefthand side of the webpage. Then, peruse the plethora of opportunities which are listed in order of date. If you're visiting the Shenandoah Valley, this is a great place to start discovering events or locales in an area you may enjoy. 

Often, some of the most exciting outdoor excursions are unexpected ones. Just be open to new learning experiences - especially ones you can do as a family. Not only do you create meaningful memories, but you weave more closely the threads of learning, living, and loving.