Ohio Children’s Nature Program Continues to Make a Splash
County:
Washington County Explore the Outdoors is a program developed by the Department of Natural Resources, that provides families with the opportunity to enjoy nature while spending quality time together.
According to their website, Explore the Outdoors Ohio is a program whose aim is to teach kids about nature, in a fun and exciting way. Most of the kids are in grades 1-5 but any children are welcome to participate in the programs offered. Jason Fallon, the public relations and marketing coordinator for the program says this is the third year for Explore the Outdoors, and it just keeps getting bigger.
“It’s really grown leaps and bounds the last couple of years,” says Jason. “Our partner locations have expanded from 20 the first year to 40 across the state now.”
Southeast Ohio has 22 partner locations that will run the programs, including Wayne National Frest’s Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, and the Leith Run Recreation Area. The Marietta Recreation Department has programs at Buckeye Park and the Indian Acres. The locations offer a wide variety of programs from ‘Spot a Bird’ and ‘Paddle a Canoe’ to ‘Camp Under the Stars’.
Jason says the program has sent out 610,000 copies of its guide to all the public schools in Ohio for grades 1-5 and an additional 30,000 copies to libraries upon request. These libraries are going to incorporate the guides into their summer reading program entitled ‘Make a Splash.’
“They have been really excited about it,” says Jason. “It’s all about encouraging kids and families to get back outside and into nature.”
If you would like more information about the program details, for the Wayne National Forest partner location you can contact Gary Chantey at 740-753-0862 or if you would like to request copies of the guide visit Exploretheoutdoorsohio.com or call Jason directly at 614-7835.
