by Jennifer Fontaine The definition of DIVERSITY: di?ver?si?ty | d??v?rs?d?,d??v?rs?d?/ | noun The quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc. A Clemson University Master Teacher and Alumni Distinguished Professor in wildlife ecology, J. Drew Lanham is a naturalist and conservationist with strong interest in integration of game and nongame … [Read more...]
Cafeteria Crunchy – Welcome Imperfect Environmentalists
by Elizabeth Small - "STOP! I need you to roll down my window! Now, mama! Please!?" My 4-year-old-daughter pleaded in shouts from the backseat. Fearing she was sick, I quickly pulled the car over and opened her window. Straightaway, she popped her little head out of the window, and shouted: "You! Over there!" She yelled to a 40-something, rough-and-tumble man as he tossed … [Read more...]
Y’all Head to San Antonio, Now, Ya Hear?
by Heather Mundt - If I were to ask you to name a Texas town that is hip, vivacious, and family-friendly, would your automatic answer be: Austin? If so, you'd be right. But I'd propose heading about 80 miles southwest of Austin for another answer: San Antonio. Offering visitors a vibrant art scene, tasty culinary innovations, and numerous family-friendly attractions, it … [Read more...]
How to Raise a Wild Child: Outdoor Families interviews Dr. Scott Sampson
by Jennifer Johnson - Many parents of young children are familiar with Dr. Scott Sampson, better known as 'Dr. Scott,' a paleontologist from the PBS show 'Dinosaur Train.' Dr. Scott always ends each show with the tagline: "Get outside, get into nature, and make your own discoveries!" and earlier this spring backed up this charge with the publication of his book, How to Raise a … [Read more...]
Everyday Family Bicycling
by David Pulsipher I've seen the glances from people in their warm, cool, or dry car (depending on the season) with what looks like pity, or perhaps shock. As the rain pelts and the wind nearly drives me to a halt, I think to myself, "Do they see me and wonder why I would choose to bike in such inclement weather?" I can't blame them. As a year-round bike commuter in … [Read more...]
Forest Schools: Education in the great outdoors
by Sabrina Norrie - Eliza Minnucci came onto my radar last spring. This public school teacher in Vermont did something somewhat revolutionary. Inspired by a forest school in Switzerland, but understanding the realities of traditional schooling models in the United States, she approached her principal about bringing students outdoors for a full day of learning each week, no … [Read more...]
Nourish: Healthy lunches your students will love
by Robyn Gleason - Planning, Planning and more planning! Everyone tells you that you must do this in order to make life easier, but where does one find the time to plan? It's not always easy for sure, and when it comes to kids' healthy school lunches, just a little bit of time will ease the stress of those busy first weeks of back-to-school. The key? Give it some thought on … [Read more...]
Taking ‘STEM’ Learning for a Hike
by Jessica Schaefer? If STEM learning is important in the classroom, it?s important outdoors. But here?s the glory: It?s even easier outside. Far from the busy box of a traditional classroom, outside, things get real. Balls don?t stop at the edge of the gym; things that fall, break; water and wind create changes everywhere. The biggest value of STEM learning outdoors is … [Read more...]
