Resources for Summer Nature Fun

Things tend to get a little slow around the blogosphere in summer, and that’s generally a good thing. It means many people are taking breaks from their desks and computers, their work and school, and are hopefully enjoying some time outside in nature.

If you’re seeking more resources for summer activities, here are some ideas.

Download the Nature Rocks Summer Activity Guide. You’ll find lots of information on activities that range in time commitment from half an hour to a whole day. There are tips for fishing, berry-picking, canoeing, and more. The Summer Activity Guide also features a section on geocaching, the fun popular activity that uses handheld GPS units to help locate hidden caches in neighborhoods and along trails. Think of it as a high-tech treasure hunt. An 8-year-old shares his love of geocaching with the Grass Stain Guru.

Start a Wildlife Habitat Garden right in your home. People are engaging in this popular project in backyards, on balconies, and any other place one might have a garden, as a way of enjoying, supporting, and learning about our ecosystem. The elements that go into a Certified Wildlife Habitat are not difficult to achieve. These include supplying local animals with water and food sources and shelter, and gardening sustainably. The National Wildlife Federation web site has easy-to-follow instructions and tips. The Grass Stain Guru also recently featured the wonders of habitat gardening.

Enjoy a Nature Outing or Program. Of course, many wonderful nature programs and activities occur in summer, in camps, nature centers, and other settings. See the C&NN Movement Map for a listing near you. Here are just a few of the many possibilities:

• Coyote Mentoring Weekend, July 30-Aug 1, in Duvall, Washington
• Frog Frolic, Aug.1, one of many events at the Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, Pocono Environmental Education Center
• Spirit Farm Summer Day Camp, Aug. 2-13, at the Harmony Institute in Harmony, Florida
• Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Summer Camp, various sessions through August 13, in Medford, New Jersey
• Story Time in the Tekakwitha Woods, Aug. 13 and 27, in St. Charles, Illinois
• Fossil Identification, Aug. 21, in Cincinnatti, Ohio
• Kids See Pollinators Up Close, Aug. 28, in Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Appalachian Mountain Club’s Volunteer Teen Trail Crews, through August, in New Hampshire’s White Mountains
• Wildthings Nature Based Learning Program, ongoing, in Mornington, Victoria, Australia
• Active Kids Club, ongoing, in Toronto, Canada
• Mud Pies Nature Classes, ongoing, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Have fun!