Hello Family Adventurers!

If you haven't already, please join us at www.meetup.com/familyadventuresinnature to receive the latest and greatest postings and information on the group, and be able to RSVP to the wonderful outings we have planned

I'd like to start off this week by welcoming FOUR new groups officially to our cluster of "Nearby Nature Clubs" -- those that meet weekly or biweekly in the same geographical range:

• Urban Canyoneers will meet in the Balboa Park area; led by Tracey 
• Sense of Wonder will meet in the South Bay area; led by Angel
• Point Loma/OB group (no name yet); led by Ilisa
• College/Rolando group (no name yet); led by Cham

Adding these groups to the mix will give us all even more opportunities to get out in nature with like-minded people! We've also had a lot of new folks join us in the past couple of weeks, so if you see someone new when you're out there, be sure to give them a warm welcome too!

We will continue to aim for 2-3 weekend outings per month in addition to the variety of weekday meetups. Hopefully with all of these opportunities you'll be able to join us sometime soon!

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control both recommend 60 minutes of unstructured outdoor play every day for kids?

Did you (also) know that the average kid only gets about 4 minutes of unstructured outdoor play per day on average?

Since we build in a lot of unstructured time into our adventures, why don't you join us on one of these:

FRIDAY, April 27th
9:30 am  San Dieguito County Park with Encinitas Explorers

SATURDAY, April 28th
10:00 am MILITARY FAMILY NATURE FUN AREA at the Kids First Fair (open to all military families)

TUESDAY, May 1st
10:00 am Explore the Famosa Slough with the Point Loma/OB group

WEDNESDAY, May 2nd
3:00 pm  Chimney Canyon (Scripps Ranch) with Wilderness Wednesdays
3:00 pm  Scrapbook Hike in Eastlake with Sense of Wonder

FRIDAY, May 4th
9:30 am  Explore Santa Carina Trail with Encinitas Explorers

Upcoming Opportunities:

Scripps Ranch Community Fair on Sunday, May 6th, starting at 12 noon

Mother Nature's Child screening on May 15th at the Gillispie School 

Hike Penasquitos Canyon Preserve on Saturday, May 19th 

Look for more weekend hikes coming soon!

Take care,

Janice

Hello Family Adventurers!

Have you been enjoying this glorious weather? Outside?! Not that we have bad weather here in San Diego, and any weather is fun for exploring, but it has been particularly beautiful lately so hopefully you've been able to get out and adventure with us - or on your own!

We've got some great opportunities to get out again this week, and we've also got some new "Nearby Nature Clubs" starting up soon, so stay posted on that news!

Here are this week's adventures. For more details visit our Facebook Page or our Meetup.com group:

Today, April 20th
9:30 am  Explore Batiquitos Lagoon with Encinitas Explorers

SATURDAY, April 21st
3:00 pm  A Hike and Picnic at "Table Rock" (on Iron Mountain in Poway, see event for details)

SUNDAY, April 22nd
10:00 - 5:00 EARTH DAY at Balboa Park... Family Adventures in Nature, along with the San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative will have a really fun "loose parts" play area in the Children's Area at Earth Day in Balboa Park. Be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you go on Sunday! If you'd like to stay and help, that would be great too! 

WEDNESDAY, April 25th
2:00 pm  Guajome Park, Main Gate with O'side Trail Tribe
3:00 pm  Giant Pampas (Scripps Ranch) with Wilderness Wednesdays

THURSDAY, April 26th
1:30 pm Tijuana Estuary (this side of the border)

SATURDAY, April 28th
Family Adventures in Nature, along with the Sierra Club, San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative, the San Diego Zoo, and many other organizations will be attending the Kids First Fair at MCB Camp Pendleton! IF YOU ARE A MILITARY FAMILY, THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!! I only have it as an FYI on our calendar since no RSVP is required, and it's only open to military and veteran families. However, if you would like to come help out at the Family Adventures in Nature booth, please email me and I can give you more details.

SUNDAY, May 6th
12:00 - 5:30 Scripps Ranch Community Fair
Bring your blankets and beach chairs for a fun-filled day at the Community Fair. Enjoy Harmonica John Frazer's DJ-ability, local performers, delicious Food, and Children's Rides and activities. Wander around the booths and learn about local businesses, artists, crafters, community groups, and Green Street. Visit the new Wine Garden. Stay for the concert, featuring the BluesWailers, and dance to their blues, rock, funk sound. FAMILY ADVENTURES IN NATURE will once again have a fun-filled booth at the Fair. If you'd like to volunteer to help out for an hour or two, please email or call me and I can give you more details. Thanks.

That's it for this week, folks! Hope to see you at our hike on Saturday, Earth Day on Sunday, or any one of our other adventures. If you can't join us in nature, be sure to get out on your own! =)

Best,

Janice

Well Hello there Family Adventurers!
Let me start off by saying "Welcome, rain, welcome!" So, supposedly the storm of the season is coming through this weekend. At first we were going to hold Saturday's hike rain or shine... but then when we heard how big the storm is supposed to be and that it may snow as low as Ramona, well we decided that it would be best to cancel/postpone this Saturday's hike. That's the sad news.
The good news is, weather pending, we still have a lot of great opportunities to get out there - with us or just create your own time and place! Whatever you do and however you do it, remember the many benefits for you and your kids of getting outside in nature!
Here's what's up for this week (remember you can join us at Meetup.com/FamilyAdventuresinNature):

SATURDAY, March 17th...
Mt. Gower hike cancelled due to the storm we're expecting. Might I suggest a rainy play day at your own home? Get out and let your kid(s) experience the thrill of rain on their faces and let them catch raindrops on their tongues! Put on those rarely used rain boots and splash around in some puddles. Get muddy!

WEDNESDAY, March 21st
12:30 pm  Whelan Bird Sanctuary with O'side Trail Tribe (note change of day and time!)
3:00 pm    Miramar Overlook Park to the Lake with Wilderness Wednesdays

THURSDAY, March 22nd
9:30 am    Penasquitos Canyon (see details) with Thursday Trekkers

FRIDAY, March 23rd
9:30 am    La Orilla Trail (San Elijo) with Encinitas Explorers

SATURDAY, March 24th
9:00 am    Oak Canyon Discoveries (Mission Trails) - allow time for parking!

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES:
Natural History Museum Focus Group for Parents
Wednesday, March 28th 4:00 - 5:30 pm
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The NAT) is creating a permanent exhibition about local habitats targeting children as a primary audience (on the second floor, opposite Fossil Mysteries).  We invite parents, educators, and affiliates of the San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative to discuss how a museum exhibition can help connect children with nature.  During this front-end research phase, we are exploring attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors relevant to creating opportunities and removing barriers to engage with the natural world.  More information in press release, http://www.sdnhm.org/archive/media/pr_11/pr_prop84_0411.pdf.  Light refreshments.  RSVP and questions to Nan Renner, nrenner@sdnhm.org.


Documentary Film Screening: Where Do the Children Play?
Thursday, April 19th @ 6:00 pm

That's all for this week. I hope you stay dry and warm... after you get wet and muddy this weekend!
Best,
Janice

Hello Adventuring Families!

Despite the rain and clouds that loomed earlier in the week, the weekend is all warm and all sun, so get out and enjoy! In fact, it's supposed to be beautiful most of the week so you can plan to adventure to your heart's content!

Join us on Meetup.com now at: www.meetup.com/familyadventuresinnature

Here are this week's opportunities (click on the event for more details and to RSVP):
Sunday, March 4th
Family Bird Fun at the San Diego Bird Festival, starting at 9:00 am
Monday, March 5th
9:30 am Kate Sessions Trail Trekking with PB Peregrines
Tuesday, March 6th
10:30 am Guajome Park Hike (BACK GATE) with O'side Trail Tribe
Wednesday, March 7th
3:00 pm Creek Ridge (Scripps Ranch) with Wilderness Wednesdays
Thursday, March 8th
6:00 pm Film Screening: Mother Nature's Child (at University of San Diego)*
*Free childcare, but MUST preregister directly with USD (see meetup for details)

UPCOMING ADVENTURES:
First evening picnic and hike of the year at Lake Poway
Wednesday, March 14th @ 5:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Dr. Marti Erickson
"Connecting Children & Families to Nature"
Thursday, March 15th @ 4:00 pm*
*Free childcare, must preregister (donations accepted)
Mount Gower Open Space Preserve (in Ramona)
Saturday, March 17th @ 9:30 am
Mission Trails Regional Park: Oak Canyon Discoveries
Saturday, March 24th @ 9:00 am

Check out our calendar for even more opportunities! Hope to see you on an adventure soon!
Best,
Janice

Hello Family Adventurers!
Sorry this is a day late! I had a technical glitch yesterday that erased the whole email I had written and didn't have time to rewrite it! Technology! Anyway, I hope you had the chance to get out into the rain and maybe splish and splosh around a bit in the mud this week. There's nothing like the look on a child's face when they're muddy and playing. =) Makes me smile just thinking about it!

 

Looks like mostly sunny days ahead (except for some possible drizzle on Sunday), so get out your calendars and see where you might plug into nature with us! Remember, you can join our Meetup group to get more details and to RSVP. Hope to see you soon!

Join Family Adventures in Nature now.

SATURDAY, February 18th
11:00 am Family Nature Fun at Dos Picos County Park (Ramona)

MONDAY, February 20th
10:00 am Japanese Friendship Garden Stroll (Balboa Park)

TUESDAY, February 21st
10:30 am Oak Riparian Trail Hike with O'side Trail Tribe (Oceanside)

WEDNESDAY, February 22nd
3:00 pm Rattlesnake Canyon with Wilderness Wednesdays (Poway)

SATURDAY, February 25th
10:00 am Anza-Borrego Wildflower Wonders
Stay-tuned for details regarding this visit to our local treasure and the largest state park: Anza-Borrego. We'll be talking with rangers this week to get details and recommendations on the best places to spot wildflowers and will post the actual meetup location, etc. ASAP.

Upcoming Adventures:

Family Bird Fun at the San Diego Bird Festival
Sunday, March 4th @ 11:15 am
Join birders from around the region as well as kid-friendly exhibits and hands-on activities about birds and birding. Family-friendly and fun event for all!

Race to Nowhere: Documentary Film Screening
NOTE: While we are attending, Family Adventures in Nature is not hosting this event. You must get FREE tickets: http://rtnpenasquitoslutheran.eventbrite.com/  (as of this writing, only 27 tickets remain).

Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

Mother Nature's Child: Documentary Film Screening
Thursday, March 8th @ 6:00 pm
Registration is required for this screening. Please RSVP.

That's all for this week folks! Look for more weekend adventures to be scheduled soon in March! Hope to see you soon!

Best,

Janice
 

Janice@FamilyAdventuresinNature.org

Hello Family Adventurers!

Happy Thanksgiving Week to you all! While we may get a bit of rain here this weekend, the forecast for the desert for the week is looking fantastic - lows in the 40s and highs in the mid to high 60s. It's not too late to join us for our annual Thanksgiving camping trip! See the details for it, and all of our adventures on our calendar of events...

Nature Traditions and the Holidays...

As we enter the busy holiday season, our goal this year is to add nature back into people’s overflowing calendars by inviting them to join us in some of our family traditions. We all know the calming effect nature tends to have on us, yet we often get too busy this time of year to take advantage of the free therapy right outside our doors. By making something a tradition, a ritual, or an “annual” event for your family nature club, members and friends are invited to begin new traditions of their own...