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Exploration Ideas
Keep a cloud chart
Have your children pick a time each day to write down a few sentences on the clouds they see when they’re in a green space. What category do they belong to? Remember that curly or fibrous clouds are called cirrus clouds. Clouds that look like they’re in sheets or layers are stratus, and clouds that are heaped or piled up are called cumulus clouds.Study the phases of the moon for a month
Learn about the phases of the moon using NatGeo’s guide. On clear nights, go a green space near your home and have your kids make a sketch of the moon and try to identify the phase. To start off, you might just write down whether it’s “waxing” (growing bigger) or “waning” (growing smaller).
What to Bring
Plenty of water, even for short hikes — a gallon per person per day is a good guide
Snacks such as fruit or trail mix and empty bags to collect any garbage
Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen
Insect repellent
Lightweight rain jacket
Resources
Safety Tips
Before you get on the trail make sure you have the local Forest Service Ranger District’s or Supervisor’s Office phone number with you. If someone gets hurt this should be the first number you call.
Always let someone know where you're going and what time you expect to be back.
Avoid going if a thunderstorm is in the forecast. Seek shelter in a car or house if you’re caught in a thunderstorm. If you're caught outside, the safest place to be is crouching in a cluster of trees — not in a clearing, out on water, or next to a lone tree.
Be mindful of the sun. Use sunscreen, seek shade, and drink plenty of water — even in the winter.
Animals have their own natural food supply so please don’t feed them.
Fruits and mushrooms can look tasty, but some are poisonous. To be safe, do not eat anything you find growing in the forest.
Railroad tracks are for trains only. Keep to the side and stay off the tracks.
Set a turnaround time when heading out that gives you plenty of time to get back before it gets dark. Expect to spend at least the same amount of time hiking back as you did hiking out.
Bring a small flashlight or another source of light with you if you'll be out close to sunset.