“Man's loss of intimate contact with nature has had debilitating effects on him as a being which can be alleviated only by making it possible for him to escape at frequent intervals from his urban habitat to the open country...He must again learn how to enjoy himself in the out-of-doors by reacquiring the environmental knowledge and skills he has lost during his exile from his natural environment."
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, A Study of the Park and Recreation Problem of the United States (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1941)
It is important to cultivate your children’s natural curiosity of the outdoors so that they can develop a full appreciation of their own natural environment and enrich their own lives. Many children today spend so much time indoors that their immune systems don’t have the opportunity for healthy development. The summer vacation months are the most accessible for families and there are a myriad of possibilities including guided watershed wade-ins across the state of Maryland, indoor rock-climbing, butterfly watching, license-free fishing, fossil collecting, nature trekking, and camping. Activities such as camping can also help engage children and make them feel like they have an important role to play in the family. Introducing your children to a range of activities designed to stimulate their minds is also one way you can ensure that they become well-rounded and self-confident.
One of the most important parts of any camping trip is always the first: planning. A well-planned trip can be stress free and you can even get the kids involved to make things run more smoothly! You can give your children a list of hot spots and see what they come up with. This is a great way to teach them some problem solving skills. Even taking a small step like printing out directions and asking your children to help navigate can help. Involving your kids in the basics, like cooking and cleaning, is a good way to make sure they learn as much as possible. It will also make your kids feel important and confident to know that the vacation they are taking is one they helped to plan. Just imagine the look on your kids face when they’ve pitched their first tent or built their first wood campfire from scratch!
There are many ways to ensure that your summer camping expedition is a memorable one and each trip should leave an indelible imprint as a learning experience. Disposable cameras can help to preserve precious moments as they occur. The value of immersing young children in hands-on activities can not be overstated. Almost any trek through one of the region’s state parks or designated camping areas will have the effect of opening their eyes to the often overlooked beauty of the natural world. An incomparable bond is formed once the trappings of civilization are discarded and you are left alone with your offspring; family living as it ought to be.
Regional Parks & Possibilities
License free fishing is possible on the first two Saturdays of June and July and license free fishing areas can be located at (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/freefi.html).
Maryland's Tributary Teams were challenged by retired Maryland State Senator Bernie Fowler to conduct wade-ins in their watersheds back in 1997 and the month of June has unofficially become the "Wade-In Month" across the State of Maryland. The Lower Potomac River Tributary Team has embraced the wade-in as their annual public education and outreach event. (http://dnr.maryland.gov/bay/tribstrat/wadein_results.html)
The Calvert Cliffs State Park is open yearly sunrise to sunset & offers an easy 2 mile hike to the beach where you can search for fossils, sharks teeth, and view the over 100 foot high cliffs. There is a total of 13 miles in trails. (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/calvertcliffs.html)
Pocono Rim Trail Nature Trek, three-mile trek through forest and vernal pools to the Pocono Escarpment. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. 828-2319 or (http://peec.org <http://peec.org/> )
Watoga State Park in Marlinton, West Virginia has a great campground area and something for the whole family. The campground area runs along the picturesque Greenbrier River and features a variety of activities, including horseback riding, boating, and a naturalist program. Nearby attractions include Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Droop Mountain State Park, Beartown State Park, Monongahela National Forest, Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort, Allegheny Trail, Greenbrier River Trail.
Assateague State Park, Maryland’s only ocean park is located on Assateague Island. Two miles of ocean make it a perfect getaway, complete with swimming, surfing, fishing, and secluded canoeing oves. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer and feral horses. There are 350 sites available for camping, with a fire ring and a picnic table at each campsite. Assateague was selected by National Geographic Travel magazine in 1994 as one of the 10 best state parks in the United States.
Pataspsco Valley State Park, extending along 32 miles of the Patapsco River encompasses over 14,000 acres and its natural resources have been enjoyed since 1907. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, and horseback and mountain bike trails.
Gunpowder Falls State Park, between Harford and Baltimore County, was established to protect the stream valleys of the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls and the Gunpowder River. There is a wide variety of terrain to explore, from rugged slopes to tidal marshes and wetlands. There are over 100 miles of trails as well as excellent trout fishing opportunities.
Catoctin Mountain Park, originally designated in the 30s as a recreational camp for federal employees eventually became the home of Camp David, the Presidential retreat. The park boasts camping, fishing, 25 miles of hiking trails, scenic mountain vistas, and wildlife viewing. Rock climbing is available as well as basic orienteering courses. |
