Camp Out Countdown

Hello Family Nature Club Friends,

I hope you’re getting excited about this weekend's campout (Saturday, April 2 - Sunday, April 3) at Cedar Hill State Park.  I AM!! J  Currently we have 4 families whom have RSVP’d, please email us if you plan on joining us.

CAMP SITE RESERVATIONS

We’ve made/paid for 2 campsite reservations (sites have electricity & water), so no worries about needing to make those on your own. We can settle up $ later.  

Additionally, TPWD has a $5 per person (ages 12 & up) entrance fee that will be payable when you drive in Saturday morning.  I am planning to arrive early Saturday to claim our campsites, so no need to rush out to do the same.  Call me (email first to get my cell phone number) when you arrive so I can give you our site numbers.  

ACTIVITIES

I’m excited to report Toni has agreed to lead a couple of nature activities for us as well as lead a few songs at our evening campfire (WOOHOO).  I intend to bring my guitar, so feel free to pack your instrument of choice.

 MEALS*

Breakfasts, Lunches, Snacks - Plan/prepare on our own.

Saturday evening - Potluck supper.  Every tent family cook*/prepare a dish to eat/share.   Our family will be making a big ‘ol pot of Chili and we'll also bring Fritos if anyone prefers a Frito pie.  Please do not feel the need to participate if you’d rather not.   

                                                                                                                                               

S’mores – everyone bring enough for their own family.

*Please consider alternate cooking methods /meal should the park be under a fire ban.  Fire ban = no ground/campfires.

CONSIDERATIONS

Sunscreen, bug spray, hat, water, water bottle, camping chair, firewood, extension cord, close-toed shoes and dress for potential weather changes.  Also, if your family is unable to camp overnight, consider coming out for the day as we plan on going on hikes and have some nature activities in store.  

WEATHER

Currently, the weather forecast:

Saturday 88high/65 low

Sunday 88 high/64 low

Cedar Hill State Park is a really nice park, I’m certain it will be a great location for our Club’s first campout. Please let me know if you have any questions or have any other considerations that should be noted.  I’m sooo looking forward to fun and relaxation with great friends. Our Camp Out Countdown is ON!! See you Saturday.

Go Outside

6 Things to Do {Outside} This Weekend

Article Courtesy of DFW Dallas Child
  

Explore It

Use Your Senses

What does a tractor sound like? What does hay smell like? Preschoolers will learn all this and more during a "Sense"ational Farm Adventure on Friday at Plano's Heritage Farmstead Museum. They'll explore different chores on the farm using touch, smell, sight, taste and sound. 10:30am-12pm. $3.50 adults; $5 children.

Hear It

Toe-Tappin' Tunes

Groove to some smooth jazz at Roanoke's Austin Street Plaza Thursday night during Evenings on Oak Street. You and the family can support local musician David Carr Jr. as he takes the stage with his provocative jazz saxophone trio. 7-8pm. Free

Paint It

A Chore That's No Bore

How did mischievous Tom Sawyer convince his friends to do his chores for him? Come out for Whitewashing with Tom Sawyer at Grapevine's Nash Farm, and you'll learn how to paint just like he did (it can actually be fun!). You will also listen to storytellers bring to life bits from Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. 10am-12pm. $2.

Ride It

I Hear the Train a Comin'The coolest train on the tracks is in town! Friday-Sunday, spend a Day Out with Thomas, where you can take a 25-minute train ride with a life-size Thomas the Tank Engine. Additional activities include magic shows, a petting zoo, interactive stage performances and more. 8:30am-6pm Friday-Sunday at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. $14-$18.
Thomas photo courtesy of Wong Mei Teng; Nash Farm; and Dallas Railway Museum

The following courtesy of City of Arlington's River Legacy

Camp It

Tents & Tales Campout
Friday 4 p.m. - 7 a.m.Pack your tents and sleeping bags for a night under the stars in River Legacy Parks. The campout includes a hot dog dinner, movie, campfire story times, s'mores, animal exploration and more. Hosted by the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department. Cost is $10 per person; 2 and under free. Rent a tent for $20. For more information or to register, call 817.459.6434 or visit www.naturallyfun.org.

Wing It

Winged Mysteries
Dottie Hyatt, a bat rehabilitation specialist, will discuss the unique characteristics of bats. RSVP to 817.860.6752. Sponsored by the Native Plant Society of Texas. Cost is $10.

Portable AND Affordable

Luggable Loo - $14.99  via Target Online

Liners - $11.99  via Target Online

Considering going camping with our Family Nature Club in April but concerned how primitive tent camping can be?

Never fear, there are options out there.  Instead of walking to the restrooms in the middle of the night, consider getting a Luggable Loo. They're portable and affordable.  Additionally, they receive rave reviews!

Have any more concerns?  Please feel free to
email us, we're happy to help.



Mark Your Calendar
Our next camp out is Saturday, April 2nd - Sunday, April 3rd to Cedar Hills State Park. Join us!!

50 WAYS TO GET KIDS HOOKED ON THE OUTDOORS

Saw this on twitter (@DFWFNC)...

50 WAYS TO GET KIDS HOOKED ON THE OUTDOORS

...a great article from an older issue of Texas Park and Wildlife Magazine.

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2008/mar/ed_1/

Make sure you read the entire article.


______________________________________________
Don't forget about out DFW Family Nature Club Campout:

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.

Great American Clean Up - Saturday recap

A cold and windy morning didn't keep our Club from making an hour contribution. 

Way to go Family Nature Club!!

Our next event is scheduled for April 2nd - Camping at Cedar Hill State Park.

Feel free to join in for the entire weekend or bring the kids out for the day. 

Nature Challenge 2011

News Release

Office of Communications
John B. Connally Building * 301 Tarrow, Suite 364 * College Station, TX
77840-7896
Phone 979.458.6606 * Fax 979.458.6610 * E-mail newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
<mailto:newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu>

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2011

Attention Dallas-Fort Worth Families: It's time to get outside and
connected with nature

The statistics are staggering. Kids now spend an average of 45 hours
each week - more time than their parents spend at work - in front of a
computer or television screen.

It's time to turn off the TV and power down the laptop. It's time to get
back outside and reconnected with nature.

It's time for Nature Challenge 2011.

Like a family nature hike with a little Amazing Race thrown in, the
contest is designed to help families across Texas get reconnected with
each other - and the outdoors.

"We hope to instill environmental awareness in kids and families through
hands-on activities rather than brochures and lectures," said Dr.
Melanie Kirk, assistant professor and urban forestry specialist with the
Texas AgriLife Extension Service and co-founder of the program.

"We also hope to instill in them the importance of having healthy and
renewable natural resources and being aware of the ecosystem around you.
The things you do every day impact that ecosystem."

Coordinated by Texas Forest Service and Texas AgriLife Extension, the
competition is hosted regionally in six areas - Dallas-Ft. Worth,
Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Ft. Davis and the Coastal Bend -
throughout the year.

The contest calls for families to visit designated nature sites across
the region in which they live, completing missions at each site. The
families who complete the most missions are eligible for a grand prize.

Last year, more than 2,000 people - or 480 families - across the state
participated in the regional contests.

Opening ceremonies for the Dallas-Fort Worth competition are scheduled
for Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Texas Discovery Gardens.
Closing ceremonies will be held July 17, 2011, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the
Heard Museum.

"It is Nature Challenge, but it's not driven around the process. It's
driven around the experience," said Zeshan Segal, Trinity River Audubon
Center education manager and regional coordinator for the Dallas-Ft.
Worth competition.

"We want to challenge you to get out and learn more about the ecosystem
you live in, learn about the bugs and flowers and what's in creeks and
ponds. But the challenge itself is not about winning. The prize is that
experience you've had with your family that entire summer."

For more information about Nature Challenge 2011, visit
http://naturechallenge.tamu.edu.


Local Dallas-Ft. Worth Contact:
Zeshan Segal, Education Manager, Trinity River Audubon Center
214-309-5812, zsegal@audubon.org <mailto:zsegal@audubon.orgState>

State Contact:
Dr. Melanie Kirk, Assistant Professor and Urban Forestry Specialist,
Texas AgriLife Extension
972-952-9203, mrkirk@ag.tamu.edu <mailto:mrkirk@ag.tamu.eduWriter>

Writer:
Holly Huffman, Communications Specialist, Texas Forest Service
979-485-6605 office, 979-324-0708 cell, hhuffman@tfs.tamu.edu

Great American Cleanup - TOMORROW!!

 This is a wonderful
Service Learning Opportunity
for our Family Nature Club.
Please join us!

8:30 a.m. (sign in)

Club families will meet back at the pavilion at noon to caravan to a restaurant for lunch.

Please wear appropriate clothing, boots, work gloves and bring your refillable water bottles.

Please email dfwfamilynatureclub@yahoo.com to have a Release Form emailed
to you.  Bring snacks and don't forget to join in for lunch!



From the GAC committee:
Thanks to all of you who will be participating in the Great American Cleanup this Saturday at Trinity View Park.  We at Keep Irving Beautiful appreciate our volunteers, and know that this event would not be possible without you.  To help make this the most successful GAC ever, there are a few reminders we wanted to go over with you before our event.
In our efforts to create less waste at our events, we try to make them “plastic water bottle-free.”  We will have Igloo containers and paper cone cups for water, and you can help us out by bringing your own reusable bottles.

·         This is a serious, get-dirty cleanup!  Please remember to dress appropriately:  long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toed shoes.  We will provide gloves, or you can bring your own if you prefer.

·         If there is a chance of rain, bring ponchos or other rain gear.

·         Bring all signed releases and turn them in at the sign-in table.

Check in starts at 8:30 a.m.