Blog
Making Fitness Fun for Kids: Get ’em Outside
by Heather Smith, guest contributor How many kids do you see working out at the gym every day? Probably not any. That’s because even though childhood obesity is a hot
Mud Season… the Joys of March
Mud happens. Snow happens. So does rain, sleet and some gloriously warm days. Today we had both. The day started sunny and warm and ended with a biting wind and
If you want snow this weekend, just head to the Capitol Square for Winterfest for some free family fun. Organizers have cranked up the snow machines to ensure a successful
What goes down must come up: Life lessons learned while skiing
Learning to ski is a humbling experience. Fall, get up. Fall, get up. Poles and skis slip and slide and get tangled up in the weirdest of ways. That’s pretty
African savannas and Wisconsin state parks
Outdoor adventures with kids bring curious comparisons. “It looks like Africa,” said 8-year-old Marjorie as we drove into Governor Nelson State Park on a cold March day. I paused, a
From warming hut to Prairie-style palace: Tenney Park Shelter
Story and photos by Diane Schwartz on Thursday 01/26/2012, Isthmus Newspaper The Tenney Park lagoon is frequently called Madison’s prettiest place to skate. Shaped like an uneven horseshoe, surrounded by trees and
All eyes on the eagles: Eagle Days 2012
Now one of the longest-running events of its kind in the state, Sauk Prairie’s Bald Eagle Watching Days began life as a token of thanks from the state to eagle-deprived
A flash of white: Bald eagles soar just in time for Eagle Days
Flash of white. Check. Huge wing span. Check. Yes, it’s eagle spotting time in southern Wisconsin.
“Quit while they’re still kicking” or when to know it’s time to leave
One of the best pieces of teaching advice I ever got was “Quit while they’re still kicking.” At first, I didn’t get it. Why quit if the kids are still having
Going Inside to get Outside? Indoor Skating at Hartmeyer Arena
Skating is a favorite winter sport, but this year, we have no ice. Balmy temperatures means families must go inside to enjoy this great holiday activity. Thankfully, Hartmeyer Ice Arena
There ought to be a law: Wisconsin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
This may seem like a no brainer, but in today’s world of competing interests and childhood obesity we can no longer assume that kids are getting outside. Come to a public
Kids learn to enjoy winter at Indian Lake County Park
Lou and his mother didn’t look too happy as we gathered at 9 a.m. on a cold, December morning for a trip to Indian Lake County Park. “I had my doubts,” mom
Indian Lake County Park with 60 people
Will be taking more than 60 kids and parents to Indian Lake County Park for some hiking tomorrow morning. It will be cold and sunny. I’m actually more concerned about
Pacific Loon on Lake Monona
You never know what you’ll see while biking. On Monday, bike club went to Monona Terrace Convention Center and spotted two Pacific Loons feeding in the waters near the bike
Carrot Juice vs Chips: Bike for Life explores the options
Carrot juice or chips? Raw peanut butter anyone? What do you think kids will eat? Turns out they’ll eat all three, but not necessarily in that order. I didn’t think
Quetico Vacation: Bruises, Eagles and Pictographs
Canoeing in Quetico Provincial Park is the ultimate outdoor vacation. While there were no kids on this trip, it’s important for me to write about and share this experience. Who
Lots of Bubbles at Wisconsin PBS Kids Open House
They came; they made bubbles; they left. I just went through 12 gallons of bubble juice at Wisconsin Public Television’s Open House at Vilas Hall in Madison, WI. That’s a
Is it ever too hot?
I wrote this piece during the last heat wave in July 2011. Now that we’re deep into a serious heat wave of 2012, it’s a good time to re-post. See
When it’s okay to shoot a gun: Outdoor Skills Day
Year ago, shooting a gun was a rite of passage for boys and BB guns were common. Today, BB guns and bow and arrow sets are pretty much things of
$1 Snack Attack: What will kids choose to eat?
What will kids buy if they only have $1 to spend on a snack? That was the Bike for Life challenge last week. The kids could choose from the following
Car Games: Getting outside without going crazy
Sometimes, the worst part of a trip is the van ride. If the kids act up it stresses me out before we even get there. Car games are a great
The Ferocious 5: The joy of same-sex bike groups
Meet the Ferocious 5: Isaiah, Micah, Buba, Cashel and Gavin. The boys make up my morning Bike for Life group at the Goodman Community Center. I have a girl group
Biking: Independence on Wheels
A bike is an independence machine. Give a kid a bike and they have the means to see and do things that they couldn’t do before. Of course, biking is
Kids get Bikes on Thursday!
Six kids will get a new bike on Thursday. They’re excited and I’m excited. They’ve worked hard at doing service around the Goodman Community Center. They’ve washed windows, picked up
A Taste of Independence: Trusting kids
I let three 9-year-old boys walk a good distance ahead of the group on a hike at Governor Nelson State Park last week. This might not sound like a big
Leaf Out: Stop, look and enjoy Spring
Buds and blossoms are bursting everywhere and today’s 80 degree heat will speed growth exponentially. Be sure to stop, look, and enjoy this rich time of year. Here are few simple
Show don’t tell: Giving kids the gift of observation
What you do in the outdoors is more important than what you say. Show them how to observe by being an active observer. Show them with your enthusiasm and excitement
Guest Post: Tips for Getting Your Family Active
Physical Activity: the Foundation for a Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Getting Your Family Active Guest Post by Emily Patterson of Primrose Schools Experts suggest that young children need to accumulate
Bud Jordahl: He will be remembered
Some people will be remembered forever. Bud Jordahl is one of those people. Bud Jorhahl was my grad school professor at the UW-Madison. He died May 11, 2010, and was
Let’s Go Biking: New folding bikes arriving soon
“Let’s go biking!” We will receive five Schwinn folding bikes next week. These bikes form the foundation of a new bike program at the Goodman Community Center. I am very
Wheels for Winners: Kids earn a bike for service
Every kid should have a bike. Period. Biking promotes independence and fitness but most of all it’s fun. Wheels for Winners is one of the coolest organizations on the planet
Boys build things and play in the water
I let five boys play in “the pond” during after school on Friday. They got a little wet and dirty and they loved it. Imagine that. “The pond” is a
Maple Syrup Magic at MacKenzie: A feast for the senses
What could be better than tasting maple sap right from the tree? Not much. What are the chances that John will forget where maple syrup comes from? Not likely. Doing,
Big Trip Tomorrow: Must get Zzzzzzz
Tomorrow I am taking 45 people to Maple Syrup Fest at MacKenzie Environmental Education Center. Tonight I will be in bed by 8 pm. Promise. Preparing for a trip like
Maple Syrup Time: But will kids eat it?
March is maple syrup month. It’s a magical time of year. Sap only runs when night temps fall below freezing and days are in the 40s. Once it gets too warm
No recess equals wild and crazy kids
I dare anyone to say that kids don’t need recess to learn. There is no better way to prove this than an old-fashioned rainy day. Today was such a day.
Cave of the Mounds: A great escape from protesting or anything else
Once again, a major protest at the State Capitol coincided with one of my outings. I have to say that I was happy to be heading away from town. Protesting
Why kids don’t walk and what we can do about it
I hated walking as a kid and would beg my mom to drive me places. “You can walk,” she’d say and then explain how when SHE was a girl she
Wisconsin Protest Meets Outdoor Adventure
Last week I canceled Ski club. Organizers also canceled most of Winterfest. Not for extreme cold or lack of snow, but because of the protest at the Capitol. It’s been
Is it ever too cold to Get Kids Outside?
Thursday was cold, very cold. Temps topped out at about 10 degrees with a nasty wind chill. As a result, kids at Lowell and Emerson Elementary schools had no recess
An Eagle Fan in Wisconsin: Not a joke
Go Eagles! What are you crazy! Not those Eagles, but the REAL eagles of Wisconsin. Last Saturday, I took 40 kids and parents on a chartered bus to Eagle Days
Bad Van Behavior Kills Ski Fun
What is fun? Cross Country Skiing What kills fun? Driving a 15-passenger-van full of kids, three of which are fighting in the back. Last week Thursday was the first day
How Not to Crash: Safe Sledding Technique for Kids
Sledding is fun, but it only takes one accident to ruin everything. A few simple tips can keep your event safe. 1) Teach kids how to roll out of their
Blissful Solo Skiing: A Joyful Escape to Indian Lake
On Sunday, I went cross-country skiing at Indian Lake County Park . Without kids. Without anyone. It was blissful. This doesn’t mean that I’m out of the kid business. Ski
Two Cool Things: Nature Hike made Easy
Looking for an easy Nature Hike? Just ask the kids to find two cool things. I did this with a small group of Kindergarten and First Graders and was amazed