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 …
Working with Low Income Children
Bubble bubble toil and trouble: Dealing with fear
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s important to remember that nature can be scary for kids. The heart of the Pheasant Branch Creek Nature Preserve in Middleton is a …
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Winter Tracks on a Cold Day
It’s important to get outside even on cold days. Teaching kids how to dress for cold weather is a great skill to have. Too many people stay inside all winter. …
Sledding, Nose Bleeds and knowing when it’s time to go
Sledding is a blast in part because it’s just a little bit dangerous. Today, the hill at Olbrich Park was well worn, pock marked and icy. Half of our 11 …
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Frogs in the Spring House & other Tales from Blue Mound State Park
The spring house at Blue Mound State Park is a pre-park relic. All that remains is the 8 x 10 x 4 foot concrete foundation, built by John Minix, the …
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“I can’t stay up!” Figure skates prove a better choice for first-time skaters.
I love to skate and got to share this passion with kids at Hartmeyer Ice Arena last week. Me and two other teachers had 14 kids from ages 5 to 10 …
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The Polar Express: Creative Play at Lake Farm Park
What do you call a fishing pier that’s on land for the winter? The Polar Express, a ship, and a ferry. On a trip to Lake Farm Park, I thought that most of the Kindergarten and first graders would have rushed to the water. But, they didn’t. Instead, they immediately jumped on a massive pier, in three pieces, now setting on land for the winter.
Halloween Hike: Snapping Turtle & Garter Snake
Kids discover a snapping turtle and garter snake at Cherokee Marsh on warm, windy and wet October day. By Diane Schwartz, October 31, 2009.
The Wonder of a Water Pump
I never know what kids will discover while outside. On a recent trip to Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, the kids were fascinated by a hand water pump. The kids …
Where is Your Coat?
We’ve had a cold October in Wisconsin. Last weekend it was about 40 degrees at the start of our hike to Parfrey’s Glen Natural Area. I was dressed in a …