Summer activities for kids

My most vivid childhood memories are from the long weeks my family spent at the cottage on Lake Erie. Last month I talked about how the textures of the environment impressed themselves upon my mind. I took pleasure in the feel of fresh grass under my feet and dappled sunlight on my shoulders, as well as the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of summer.

As Julie Clark says in her article on Children and nature: the stuff of memories, children learn by using their senses. The more they come into contact with nature on an intimate basis, the more they will acquire positive values about respecting and protecting the environment.

It's our responsibility as parents to give them opportunities to get close to the earth. Summer is an important time for sharing the outdoors with our children. Many families take vacation time while the kids are out of school. Plan ahead to make sure your family has an experience that is both enjoyable and educational.

It takes time and effort to get outdoors. As Mike Gowen suggests in Getting back to nature, it's easy to let technology distract us with temptations of convenience and entertainment. He outlines the benefits and challenges of getting away from the toys and going camping with your children. Last year I suggested A novice adventurer's checklist for planning a camping trip with your children.

At age nine I became self-appointed president of the Poplar Bluff Nature Club. In summer, my neighbourhood friends came to weekly meetings on the lawn. We discussed the effects of pollution, caught butterflies and looked at things under my dad's microscope.

We even organized a carnival to raise money. I did a magic show in the big yellow and green tent. There were races, a ball toss, and a concession stand. Some of my friends brought their pets and had them do tricks. I don't remember whether we raised any money or what we did with it.

Nowadays there are many reputable environmental organizations like The Nature Conservancy worthy of donation. If your children show an interest in community action, encourage them to put their ideas to work.

But not all activities need to be structured or goal-oriented. This summer I plan to let each of my daughters spend time wandering around the park or the woods with my camera and taking pictures of anything they want to. I love the immediacy of digital cameras. The kids can bring home the camera, download the pictures, crop them however they want, and only print the most interesting images without a lot of developing costs. It is another way to encourage them to see for themselves the beauty of land, air and water.

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