Out is In

So get out there!

The weather is getting better and better, at least in the Midwest. For those of you in cooler climates, use this opportunity to plan for the things to come.

For me, and many others, there is no better way to experience the outdoors than to spend a night or two in it. Camping is rewarding on a myriad of levels: it heightens the senses, simplifies life (if only for a few days), surrounds you with nature, bonds you with your tentmates (sleeping in close quarters has this effect), and gives you opportunities that you simply miss on dayhikes.

That being said, if you're a first-time, or first-time-in-a-long-time camper, it might be a good idea to hone up on a few skills before you hit the trails running. For the first few times, an established campground is a good idea, and if you check your options carefully, it's still usually possible to find a campsite that will offer privacy and nature with your car and flush toilets only a few minutes walk away. Do be sure to check, though, or you may just spend the night cozied up with your 12 less than sober neighbors. Many campgrounds have rules prohibiting alcohol on the premises, and this is often a good way to ensure a quiet, family-friendly evening.

Before you even get to the campground, think about spending a night or two in the back yard, even if yours is a tiny one in the middle of Suburbia. This way the leaky tent missing two pegs that you forgot how to set up can be dealt with before you're forced to rely on it. Similarly, your two-year-old can check out the night time world in familiar quarters, which may just turn out to be a good idea. Troubleshooting goes a long way toward an enjoyable camping trip.

Think about the perks, too. If you have picky eaters, don't spring the freeze-dried ultralight dinners on them yet. You can purchase pre-baked pizza crusts and grill up a homemade pizza for dinner, if that's what it takes to get the family excited. For dessert, make s'mores, or put bananas in tinfoil and sprinkle them with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, pop them in the coals for a few minutes and eat the gooey mess right out of the foil. Whatever the food, make sure it's something that everyone can enjoy.

Finally, plan ahead for the disasters. Take card games for when it rains. Bring extras of the essentials. Make a good first-aid kit. And please, take lots of pictures! This may just be the most fun you've had in a long time!

For more ideas, check out the family camping links at the bottom of the page: you'll be glad you did. Read more!

Happy Earth Day!

I am by no means an Earth-worshiper: I'd have to say that I lean more toward its creator. That being said, Earth Day is a great day for everyone to celebrate the wonderful world that we're in.

If nothing else, it is a reminder to be thankful for our environment, and to possibly think about a few ways to keep it around. Kids are never (well, almost never) too young to involve in this sort of thing. In fact, I think that it's pretty essential to instill an appreciation of nature in them while they are young. So, this Earth Day or any day, try one or two of these tips and feel a little greener:

1. Take backpacks, tote bags, etc. to the grocery store. When the teenager bagging your veggies asks, "Paper or plastic?" just tell them that you've brought your own bags. Repeat as often as possible. Some stores (Whole Foods, Safeway, Price Chopper, Hannaford, etc.) will even give you a rebate (3-5 cents) for each bag you bring & use.

2. Take a 1-liter bottle and fill part way with rocks, sand, or other heavy material. Top it off with water and put it in your toilet's water tank. It will save you if you're paying for water, and it reduces the waste. (Do be sure you've still got 3 gal of water in the tank & Don't try this if you've already got a low-flow toilet. Just pat yourself on the back instead.)

3. Replace old light bulbs with Energy Star ones!

4. Turn off your lights: always when leaving a room, and often even when you are in it. It's surprising how rarely you actually need them. Same goes for computers and other appliances.

5. If you aren't already, start recycling! Every bit of trash that doesn't end up in a landfill is progress. Kids can help set up a mini home recycling center, and sort bottles, cans, paper, etc. to help keep things organized.

6. Take a walk- anywhere- and pick up all the litter you find along the way. (Gloves- reusable, of course- might be a good idea)

7. Use Tupperware, or other reusable containers to pack snacks & lunches instead of baggies and other disposable options.

8. Turn the thermostat down when its cold and up when its hot- humans managed to survive a really long time without climate control! Let's use it wisely.

9. Walk or ride bikes instead of driving. Kids will especially enjoy this adventure, and it not only helps the environment, but it'll help your health too.

10. Fill in the blank:_____________________! Find a way you can help, and go do it. Read more!

Spring Things

It is April- mid April, in fact- and high time to be enjoying the world around us, even if we've recently been hibernating a little more than we ought to!

What better way than starting a garden? (OK, peanut-gallery, no suggestions, just hear me out.)
Whether you live on a farm or in an apartment, gardening on some scale is an option for you, and it can help your four year old learn to eat tomatoes. Or your husband. Or you, if that's a problem!

I'm starting a garden this year in my tiny backyard where I'll be planting beans and carrots, and hoping that our local rabbit population won't get to them first. Because I'm so limited on garden space, I'm also sprouting some "Bloody Butcher" tomatoes that I'll transfer to large pots on my patio as they get bigger. I chose them because they mature relatively quickly (8 weeks!), and because I've eaten them before, and they're delicious! Also, the name alone may help parents of prepubescent boys to get them involved: just imagine, "Hey, son, want to help me with some Bloody Butchers?" Do you really think they'll say no?

Some of my fondest memories as a child are of watching vegetables grow from seeds into plants that I was able to eat from, and I never cease to be amazed by this process. Growing your own veggies is an inexpensive and easy way to enjoy nature just a little bit more. But do look out: it can be addictive!

Here's what you'll need to start a similar project:

Seeds: You can even find packets at most grocery stores!

Cups for sprouting: Peat pots are a great choice, but you can use plastic ones, or anything you can put a drainage hole in. The main advantage of the peat is that you can plant it directly into the soil when you're ready.

Soil: Seed-starting or regular potting soil are fine choices, but do check the label to be sure it's safe to grow food in! You can also use soil from your yard, if it's good quality, or mix it with potting soil to save a little $.

Pots: These should be fairly large, with good drainage holes.

Stakes or cages: This will vary on what variety of tomato you choose, but most good potted choices will need to be staked once they start growing.

Sun: I hope this is self-explanatory.

Water: This should be too, but keep in mind that potted tomatoes will need lots of it!

Getting started:

Follow the directions on your seed packet, and make shallow holes in the center of each sprouting pot. Put several seeds in each hole, cover, water them well, and place in a sunny location. If you have a nice glass cake-stand topper or large clear Pyrex bowl it is helpful to place over the pots to give a "greenhouse effect" to the sprouting.

Most varieties should sprout withing 1-2 weeks. After the sprouts have been up for a few days and have a couple of leaves, thin out the sprouts, leaving just one in each pot. Pull the extra sprouts up very gently so as not to disturb the roots of the sprout you'll leave growing. This may feel a little barbaric, but they can't all grow in there. Such is life.


Transplant the seedlings into large pots when they're beginning to outgrow the cups. Be sure not to put the pots outdoors until after the last frost of the season. Also, it is a good idea to give the plants a chance to adjust to outdoor temperatures by putting them out for short periods of time when it is sunny and warm. This will help them survive their outdoor transition.

After they're outdoors for the summer, be sure to give them lots of water and to provide support with stakes and/or cages as necessary. Keep an eye out for ripening tomatoes, and enjoy! Read more!

First Post

The first blog is always the hardest. I say this as if I am an experience blogger, but that is not the case. However, I find that first things are the most difficult, those experiences being the ones that break us in for more to follow.

My name is Anne, and I am a fortunate adult with parents who taught me to appreciate nature. I am also often struck by the lack of "nature exposure" that children and adults around me have. Because of these things, I am blogging.

This blog's name is a shameless rip-off of Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods," and if you've not read it, I highly recommend it whether you are a parent, an educator, or just a concerned human being. His book, and other research around the same topic were additional factors that motivated me to write.

It is my desire that you, your children, and those around you all become the "Next Child in the Woods," and I hope that through the links on this site and the upcoming posts, that will seem like more and more of a possibility. Whether you're an avid backpacker or the sight of dirt makes you squeamish, I hope that you will find new and interesting information that will make you think twice about the world around us! Read more!