Don't let the rain spoil your fun!

Source: http://www.campingroadtrip.com/tips-and-articles/rainy-day-camping-fun

 

There is rain in the forecast for much of the state this weekend.  But that doesn't have to stop any one from exploring the outdoors, especially if you've got some good rain gear.  Rainy days present a great educational opportunity for children.  Here are some ideas of what you can do in the rain:

 

3-7 year olds

• Explore pudddles and examine them for living organisms.
• Ask your child, if you were an animal, where would you take shelter?  Pretend you are a deer or a squirrell and take a walk looking for shelter.
• What kind of organisms dissappear when it is raining?  Do you hear birds?  Do you see squirrels?  What about slugs and worms?  Why do some organisms come out when it is raining, while others hide?

5 and up

 
• Follow a drop of water.  Where does the rain go?  Observe the differences between rain hitting the road vs. rain hitting the grass or landing in a forest.  Follow the rain on the road until it dissapears.  Where does it go from there?  Eventually it ends up in the ocean!  Ask, where does the rain go when it hits the grass?  Talk about the difference between the two surfaces.  Extension: For older kids, explore your river basin and learn about what happens to water in your area from a downloadable publication here  

If you don't get rained out, check out these events:

Saturday Sept. 29th

 

National Public Lands Day

This is a good day to appreaciate the preservation and conservation of our public lands.  Workers and volunteers are integral to maintaining these lands for public outdoor recreation.  Not only do they serve as a place for the public to enjoy, they are also critical habitats for maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

 

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy.

NPLD keeps the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the "tree army" that worked from 1933-42 to preserve and protect America's natural heritage. In 2010, 170,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, planted trees and restored our water resources.

If

See the website for family events near you.  If you can't make an event, consider visiting a public land for a family outing to support the preservation of these areas.

National Estuaries Day 

This is another good learning opportunity for your child.  Estuaries provide habitat for migratory birds and crucial species that we rely on for food and keeping our waters healthy.  They also filter water before it makes it's way to the ocean and protect our coastlines by acting as a buffer. 


Source: http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/transformations/coastal_research/estuary.html

National Estuaries Day is an annual celebration of the vibrant coastal areas where rivers meet the sea- estuaries. Celebrated on the last Saturday in September, National Estuaries Day is a great opportunity to learn more about these magical ecosystems and how you can help to protect them. Whether you live close enough to visit your local estuary, or you virtually transport yourself to an estuary anywhere in the world via the Internet; take some time to explore these amazing places.
Complete details and events

There are events happening all over the state at Chimney Rock State Park, Raleigh, Morrisville, Lake Waccamaw, and Fayatteville.   See here.