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Ohio families encouraged to take part in Explore activities to Celebrate Park and Recreation Month
COLUMBUS, OH – Beautiful summer weather is here and it’s time to be outdoors. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), through the Explore the Outdoors program, is providing parents and children with a variety of family-oriented events to help Ohioans jumpstart healthy outdoor lifestyles.
Explore the Outdoors is an exciting, hands-on family program that gives Ohio children the opportunity to reunite with nature, improve their physical and emotional health and discover the rewards of becoming environmental stewards. Through the program, ODNR provides Ohio parents, grade school teachers, youth leaders and outdoor educators with an easy activity guide to lead Ohio’s young people into the outdoors and an interactive online resource, www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com, which families can use to find exciting outdoor events.
In July, which is National Park and Recreation Month, special Explore the Outdoors events will continue to be posted on the Explore the Outdoors web site. Upcoming events (through July 12) are listed here:
| Date | Event | Time | Location | Organization/Agency | Explore the Outdoors Activity | Special Instructions |
| 7/2/09 | Splash in a Stream/SQM | 9 to 11 a.m. | James H. Kelley Preserve | Village of Canal Winchester | Splash in a Stream | |
| 7/4/09 | Sandcastle Building Contest | Noon to 2:30 p.m. | Portage Lakes State Park | ODNR | Swim with a Buddy | |
| 7/4/09 | Kids’ Endangered Species Festival | Kiser Lake State Park | ODNR | Learn from a Naturalist | ||
| 7/4/09 | Lake Erie beach Treasure Hunt | 5 p.m. | Maumee Bay State Park | ODNR | Swim with a Buddy | |
| 7/5/09 | T-shirt Art | 2 – 4 p.m. | Highbanks Metro Park | Franklin County Metro Park | Learn from a Naturalist | Meet at Nature Center |
| 7/6/09 | Lightning Bug Night Hike | 9 p.m. | Pickerington Ponds | Franklin County Metro Park | Learn from a Naturalist | Meet at Glacier Knoll Picnic Area |
| 7/9/09 | Hike a Trail | 9 to 11 a.m. | Chestnut Ridge Metro Park | Village of Canal Winchester | Hike or Bike a Trail | |
| 7/9/09 | Fishing Program | 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. | Slate Run | Franklin County Metro Park | Catch a FishLearn from a Naturalist | Meet at Buzzards Roost Picnic Area |
| 7/10/09 | Brown Bag Lunch Chat | noon | Highbanks Metro Park | Franklin County Metro Park | Learn from a Naturalist | Meet at Nature Center |
| 7/11/09 | Creekin | 10 a.m. | Blues Creek Preserve | Preservation Parks of Delaware County | Splash in a StreamLearn from a Naturalist | Free |
| 7/11/09 | Insects of the Dunes | 2 p.m. | Headlands Dunes | ODNR | Learn from a Naturalist | <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> |
| 7/11/09 | Going Batty | 8:30 p.m. | Blacklick Woods | Franklin County Metro Park | Learn from a Naturalist | Meet at Ash Grove Picnic Area |
| 7/11/09 | Campfire Cooking | 6 p.m. | Highbanks Metro Park | Franklin County Metro Park | Learn from a Naturalist | Dragonfly Day Camp |
| 7/11/09 | Pymatuning Laker 5K Run | 8:30 a.m. | Pymatuning State Park | ODNR | Hike or Bike a Trail | |
| 7/11/09 | Nature at Night | North Chagrin Reservation | Cleveland Metroparks | Hike or Bike a TrailLearn from a Naturalist | ||
| 7/11/09 | PaddleQuest | Portage Lakes State Park | ODNR | Paddle a Canoe | Registration required | |
| 7/11/09 | Hummingbird Banding | 9 to 11 a.m. & 1 to 2 p.m. | Lake Hope State Park | ODNR | Spot a Bird | |
| 7/11/09 | Kids’ Big Fish Contest | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Mary Jane Thurston State Park | ODNR | Catch a Fish | |
| 7/12/09 | Family Bug Hunt | 7 p.m. | Blues Creek Preserve | Preservation Parks of Delaware County | Learn from a Naturalist | Free |
| 7/12/09 | Family Fun in the Creek | 1 p.m. | Battelle Darby Creek | Franklin County Metro Park | Learn from a Naturalist | Meet at Naturalist |
The program’s activity guide recommends fun outdoor activities, including Spot a Bird, Hike a Trail or Camp Under the Stars. Families can accomplish all of the activities noted in the book at state parks, forests, preserves and wildlife areas throughout Ohio. Families can also complete some of the activities at local parks, green spaces or even at home.
Explore the Outdoors participants can find special activity completion codes posted at welcome centers and kiosks in participating ODNR and partner facilities statewide. Children who enter at least two codes on the Explore the Outdoors web site will receive a printable certificate signed by Gov. Ted Strickland. Participants can also get entered for other prizes, including a GreenBird birdhouse and a state park camping excursion.
Parents and teachers can contact 614-784-PLAY (7529) or explore [at] dnr [dot] state [dot] oh [dot] us for additional information or to request activity guides and program resources.
ODNR appreciates Explore the Outdoors sponsors who share a desire to improve the health of Ohio children and families by getting them outdoors. Sponsors include ODNR Division of Recycling, American Heart Association, American Family Insurance, GreenBird Birdhouses and Whole Foods.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
Picnics are simply fun. On the current economic status, saving money is a thing every family would like to do. Picnics are great way to have a staycation.. Also, typically most kids love the outdoors, so picnics are a great match. Hey, grab your picnic baskets and have fun.