temperatures are often too cold for a night under the stars, so hit the bookstore or library to
begin planning a summer camping trip; or visit
a nearby Forest Service office to learn about
camping responsibly.
7. Document a journey: Get out of the city and
equip your family with a camera to photograph
the changing landscape and air quality from
urban to rural to forested areas. Encourage your
children to take pictures of specific things that
need preserving and talk about ways to take action.
8. Hit the slopes: Stand at the summit and discuss the flora and fauna that covers the landscape, and the importance of protecting them.
Be sure to think green for your day of skiing,
sledding or riding - carpool with friends, bring
a reusable water bottle and pack an organic
lunch.
9. Scavenger hunt: Give your kids a list of items
they must find in a park, such as a pinecone,
feather, something a deer could eat, a piece of
trash, etc. Once they have collected everything,
talk about how each item represents the importance of preserving green spaces.
10. Make it a workday: Vow to turn off the
technology and spend time working for the
Earth. Focus on your own home to set up rain
barrels, or create a compost bin; or join a neighborhood work party to pick up trash and plant
trees.
Ashley Allman is co-founder of online natural
products boutique, Ash & Alys Babes, www.
ashandalysbabes.com. She spends most of her
time playing house with her two spirited sons,
husband and two dogs, all of whom she uses for
inspiration in every aspect of life.
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Photography by Cali Frey