June is National Great Outdoors Month! To celebrate, we’re encouraging all of our scholars to get up and get outside. We’ve compiled a few fun activities that parents can share with their children to help them explore the outdoors, all while learning and having fun.
Go Camping
Camping is a fun, popular way to enjoy the outdoors during the summer. There are many different styles of camping and places that families can go to set up camp. Parents can take their children on an authentic camping adventure by pitching a tent at a designated campground in a local state park or even a national park. For an experience closer to home, scholars and their families can pitch a tent right in their own backyard. Regardless of where families choose to camp, there are so many things for children to learn and explore outside.
While camping, scholars and their families can go on a scavenger hunt for unique rocks, plants, and flowers all while learning about geology, botany, and photosynthesis. Plus, there is always time for a good game of I Spy to help children find and learn about animals in the wild. Scholars can always practice their math and chemistry skills while camping, too! Parents can help their children measure ingredients for cooking, and cook marshmallows over an open flame to watch the chemical reaction before enjoying a s’more! There are so many fun activities that scholars and their families can enjoy together all while exploring the great outdoors.
Visit the Park
Parents can make learning fun this summer by taking their children to a local park. Simply take the usual indoor learning activities outside like reading, workbooks, science projects and more. For more inspiration, here are a few fun, simple science projects that families can test while outside! The park can be a peaceful place for children to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors while they continue learning throughout the summer. It also serves as a fun place for children to meet new friends and socialize with others. It’s a one-stop-shop for learning and fun during summer break!
Take a Nature Walk
This summer, parents can consider planning a nature walk or a hike with their children to help get outside and learn about the great outdoors. Families can take a walk just about anywhere and create a special outdoor learning experience. For example, parents can take their children for a walk through a national forest to learn about animals, plants, and the weather. They can even bring along their favorite books about nature to use as a guide while they search for specific animals and plants. To make the walk really engaging, families can bring a pair of binoculars along to help the children get a clear view of special moments in nature. A nature walk helps children learn about the outdoors, while also serving as a great form of physical activity!
Volunteer
There are countless environmental organizations that need volunteers during the summer. Parents can help their children volunteer at a local organization to learn about the hazards that threaten nature and how they can help protect the environment. Families that live near that ocean may want to consider volunteering for an organization that hosts beach cleanups and spend some time learning about how our trash and litter affects animals that live in the ocean and along the shoreline. Or families who live in the city may want to volunteer for an organization that promotes alternatives to fossil fuels to decrease air pollution. There are so many different types of environmentally focused organizations that children and their families can volunteer with this summer to learn about nature and have a positive impact on the environment.
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Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual charter school that serves families throughout California. Interested in learning more about CCS’ flexible academic programs? Visit our website, or contact our enrollment team at enrollment@compasscharters.org or (877) 506-8631.