'No Child Left Inside Week' Promotes Outdoor Recreation
DETROIT (WWJ) - In cooperation with the Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks are hosting "No Child Left Inside Week" Sunday, June 19 through Saturday, June 25.
According to Mike George, Metroparks chief of interpretive services, Interpretive Centers throughout the Huron-Clinton Metropark system will be offering special programs and events that invite families to enjoy the outdoors.
Metropark programs offered during No Child Left Inside Week are:
"Settlers Getting By," Wolcott Mill Metropark, Sunday, June 19 at 2 pm. Children will explore the world of Michigan's pioneers and find out how they managed to make a life in the Michigan wilderness. This program is free, but preregistration is necessary and space is limited. To register, call 586-749-5997.
"GPS Picnic," Indian Springs Metropark, Sunday, June 19 at 11 am. Learn about latitude and longitude to see how GPS works, and then use a GPS unit to find practice geocaches hidden in the park. For children in the second grade and up. Fee $3 per person. Preregistration required. To register, call 248-625-7280.
"Show & Tell Time - Winged Wonders," Lake Erie Metropark, Sunday, June 19 at 2 pm. Butterflies are wonders of the natural world. Not only are they beautiful to look at, they can teach us about colors, shapes, and patterns. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. To register, call 734-379-5020.
"Preschool Nature Club," Metro Beach Metropark, Tuesday, June 21 at 11 am. Introduce your preschooler to the wonderful world of nature. Every other week, this series will focus on a different nature topic. For ages 3-5, accompanied by an adult. Fee: $3 per child. Preregistration required. To register, call 586-463-4332.
"Farm Walk & Talk," Wolcott Mill Metropark, Tuesday through Thursday, June 21 through 23 at 9 am and 11 am. Take a walking tour and learn about conservation and agricultural practices. Get healthy and join the farm staff on this 60- to 75-minute walk around the farm fields and pastures. Fee: $2 per person. Preregister and prepayment required. To register, call 586-752-5932.
"No Child Left Inside Day Camp," Hudson Mills Metropark, Wednesday through Friday, June 22 through 24 from 10 am to 2 pm each day. Children, ages 8 to 10, will explore science and nature through a variety of outside activities and games with up close exploration of aquatic life, reptiles, bugs and a variety of other wildlife. Fee: $75 per child. Preregistration required. To register, call 734-426-8211.
"Family Summer Nature Club Pond Dipping," Metro Beach Metropark, Thursday, June 23 at 1 pm. Every other week this series will focus on a different nature topic or activity. June will focus on pond dipping and insects and other small organisms that live in the water. Dress to be outdoors. For all ages. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. To register, call 586-463-4332.
"American Indians Working Together," Wolcott Mill Metropark, Friday, June 24 at 2 pm. Children will have fun while discovering how team work helps in more than just games - it sometimes means survival. This program is free, but preregistration is necessary and space is limited. To register, call 586-749-5997.
"Two-Mile Trek," Oakwoods Metropark, June 25 at 11 am. Turn the TV off, put away the video games and bring your child out for a guided hike through the woods. This program is free, but preregistration required. To register, call 734-782-3956.
"Likin' Those Lichens," Oakwoods Metropark, Saturday, June 25 at 1 pm. Come hike with an interpreter and find out what lichens are all about. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. To register, call 734-782-3956.
"No Child Left on Shore Discovery Cruises," Lake Erie Metropark, Saturday, June 25 at 10 am and 2 pm. Join an interpreter for a two-hour nature/history cruise for kids ages 6 to 17 years of age. Participants will cruise around many islands, probe the bottom for alien species, learn about the fish and bird life of the river, consider weather and climate issues and get a taste of the rich history of the area. This program is free, but preregistration required. To register, call 734-379-5020.
"Amphibians & Reptiles," Hudson Mills Metropark, Saturday, June 25 at 11 am. Explore the amazing amphibians leaping and creeping at the Metropark during this indoor/outdoor program. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. To register, call 734-426-8211.
A regional park system, the Metroparks consist of 13 parks covering 25,000 acres, ten spectacular public golf courses and two marinas on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, respectively. The parks also offer scenic nature trails, breathtaking beaches, educational activities and exciting winter sports.
General information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.
