Family Camp Out - Save the Date!

 Our Family Nature Club is going tent camping April 2-3 to:

Cedar Hill State Park
1570 F.M. 1382
Cedar Hill TX 75104
972/291-3900


http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/cedar_hill/

We have reserved two spots so no additional reservations with TPWD required. Just let us know if you are planning to join us and we will make space in one of the reserved tent sites.

NEW TO CAMPING? No Problem...
A few of us are experienced campers. If it is your first time camping, we can help you with planning and set-up. Also, it turns out we picked the same weekend that Cedar Hill State Park is hosting a Texas Outdoor Family workshop. They have put together a very comprehensive packing list for anyone new to camping with children. If you'd like to "Camp with a Park Ranger", that option is available.

Questions, just send us a comment. Happy Camping.

DFW Family Nature Club March 5th Event Nature Service Project

Date: Sat. March 5
Time: 9 a.m. to noon (8:30 sign-in)
Location: Trinity View Park – Pavilion near Soccer Fields 2221 E. Highway 356, Irving, TX 75060

Our club has already registered  for you (via http://www.rockthegreen.org/, 972-721-2175),  simply send us an email (dfwfamilynatureclub@yahoo.com)  if you/your family plan to join us.  To participate, each participant must "sign in" @ 8:30 a.m., to fill out necessary waivers. 
Part of the Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup Project:
Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program, takes place annually from March 1 through May 31, involving an estimated three million volunteers and attendees.Keep Irving Beautiful’s event will be focused on cleaning both Trinity View Park and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, keeping the #1 pollutant – litter - out of our waterways. Last year at this location, 340 volunteers collected over 1,452 pounds of trash and 3,759 pounds of recyclables. This year we will have a true waterway cleanup, with kayaks, canoes and boats on the water, in addition to the cleanup of the park grounds. Please join us to make the 2011 Great American Cleanup the most successful ever!


Flier: http://cityofirving.org/kib/pdfs/GACFlier2011Final.pdf


Please wear appropriate clothing, boots, work gloves and bring your refillable water bottles. Bring snacks and plan to join in for lunch. Club families will meet back at the pavilion at noon to caravan to restaurant.

Hope to see you there!

10 Ways to Give Back That Involve Nature and the Great Outdoors

Great link to http://momitforward.com/ article: 10 Ways to Give Back That Involve Nature and the Great Outdoors.

February 5th's event is Penn Farm.

The next DFW Family Nature Club Event has been scheduled:

FEBRUARY 5, 2011

10:00am at the Penn Farm Agricultural site

Cedar Hill State Park

1570 F.M. 1382

Cedar Hill TX 75104 

Penn Farm Agricultural History Center pays tribute to the disappearing Texas' family farm and affords a glimpse into agrarian history as farm machinery took the place of the horse and mule almost a century ago. The Farm is open 7 days a week to self-guided tours. There are reconstructed and historic buildings from the mid 1800s through the mid 1900s. The Penn Farm has a very relaxing atmosphere and is perfect for family walks.

Check out the Interpretive Guide for other site details.

Please send us a comment if you are planning to attend or email us at dfwfamilynatureclub@yahoo.com to rsvp.

upcoming Family Nature Club events:

• February 5 - Penn Farm at Cedar Hill State Park.
• March 5 - "Keep America Beautiful's Great American Clean Up Event" @ Trinity View Park - Family Service Project
• April 2-3 Family Campout. Camping @ Cleburne State Park and exploration day @ Dinosaur Valley
• May 7 - Dallas Zoo
• June 4 - Granbury Lake
• July 2 - Holiday weekend - no event.

Hope to see you there.

A Family Project: The Tree Year

Here's an idea for a family project:

Participate in the tree year. Build awareness for the little things in life through seeing and enjoying the diversity and beauty of the life and colors on a tree and then share it with others.

More info at http://thetreeyear.wordpress.com/about/ or facebook http://www.facebook.com/treeyear?v=info

How to start:

1. Pick a tree – either one you like a lot or one that you see every day on your way to work or that happens to live on your balcony.


2. Observe it: every day or once a week or less. What grabs your attention? What kind of animals are and what kind of plants grow on it? How is the bark of the tree, the leaves, the colors? What kind of bugs or birds visit it? How is the earth around it or the sky above it?


3. Write about your observation, make sketches or take photographs and share it with us.

I'd like to add, plant your own tree and do the same.

Upcoming {Family Nature Club } Events

Please reserve the following dates in your calendar for our upcoming Family Nature Club events:

• February 5 - Penn Farm at Cedar Hill State Park.
• March 5 - "Keep America Beautiful's Great American Clean Up Event" @ Trinity View Park - Family Service Project
• April 2-3  Family Campout. Camping  @ Dinosaur Valley  State Park.
• May 7 - Dallas Zoo
• June 4 - Granbury Lake
• July 2 - Holiday weekend - no event.

These events will be lots of fun for the entire family.  Please check back for more details.

Outing this Saturday - Changed Location

 Due to circumstances beyond our control we've made alternate plans for this month's outing. 

Stock Show & Rodeo

FFA Children’s Barnyard – Join us behind the red barn to see mother animals and their offspring first-hand.  You will see all kinds of animals from day-old chicks, mama pigs with their babies to baby lambs and newborn calves. Local FFA student volunteers are on hand to answer your questions. FFA Children’s Barnyard is located between the Sheep & Swine Barn and is open between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:30 pm daily.

Petting Zoo – The Bank of Texas Petting Zoo is a professionally operated, hands-on experience.  It’s always a huge hit with our younger visitors.  The petting zoo is educational and informative, but your average toddler will probably tell you …it’s just plain fun.  The Bank of Texas Petting Zoo is located in front of the Will Rogers Coliseum and is open between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm daily.

Milking Parlor – Live Milking Demonstrations! This is a must-see for all Stock Show visitors.  Where does milk REALLY come from?  It’s worth the stop to see the little ones faces as they see where the morning milk starts out!  The Milking Parlor is located inside between Cattle Barns 1 and 2 and the hours of operation vary – exhibit open daily.

Tickets for admission to the Stock Show grounds can be purchased upon arrival.

General admission tickets permit access to all livestock events, educational programs, commercial exhibits and carnival/midway.

Adults: $10

Children 6 – 16: $5

Children 5 & Under: free

Each Rodeo Ticket is good for your General Admission to the grounds on the day of the performance.

Let us know if you plan on joining us, we'll tell you where we plan to meet up.

Hope to see you tomorrow!!