Urbia – Fun Nature Treasure Hunt Hikes that Explore San Francisco Outdoors for Kids of all Ages

The Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence University has just produced a 30 minute film and parent/teacher guide about the educational value of the outdoors. To view a clip visit http://www.slc.edu/adult-professional/cdi/learning/naturally/index.html

Download a copy of the When Learning Comes Naturally Guide for Parents and Teachers (click on bold text for PDF).

“Learning comes naturally when children are thoroughly engaged in

the process, and there is nothing more engaging for children than

outdoor places. Just as most infants and toddlers need be given only

space, exposure, and opportunity to master basic skills like walking

and talking, so too older children supply their own motivation to learn

when conditions are right. In the outdoors, children’s natural curiosity

is activated. Each sense is stimulated, and living things, processes of

change, and mysteries to be solved are all around. As a result, learning

of many kinds unfolds with ease in the moment, and with a spontaneous

excitement about creative exploration that can resonate for a lifetime.”

For Immediate Release from the National Park Service: October 02, 2009

Connecting to Nature

Formal Partnership Established Among National, State, and Local Park Organizations

Looking for a way to improve your child’s mental and physical health? Look no further than your nearest park or natural area.

“Numerous studies conclude that time spent in outdoor settings decreases stress, inspires creativity, promotes social development, and encourages physical fitness,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “A new partnership among the National Park Service, the National Association of State Park Directors, and the National Recreation and Park Association was recently formed to develop and promote programs and policies in parks and other areas that connect children with nature.”

The partnership’s website, www.nps.gov/ChildrenInNature/BestPractices, contains a searchable database of approximately 450 outdoor activities compiled from hundreds of national, state, and local parks and program offices.

“This easy-to-use website contains an extensive list of programs about a wide variety of subjects including archeology, art, prairies, pioneers, critters, and camping,” said Joe Elton, President of the National Association of State Park Directors. “Nature is an amazing classroom, and these creative programs make it fun for children to learn about and connect with the world around them.”

“The way children understand and experience their natural world has changed radically over the past several decades,” said Lois Finkelman, chair of the National Recreation and Park Association Board of Trustees. “Our three groups will work together to expand recreational opportunities and natural resource education for children and families. In addition, we hope to engage other federal, state, local, tribal, and non-government partners in the effort.”

Leaders of the three conservation organizations signed a partnership declaration which contains an action plan to increase public awareness of local and national natural resources.

Calling all urban adventurers!

This Sunday, October 11th, from 8:30 to 1 p.m. URBIA has been invited to table at the special “community resource” space at the new Inner Sunset Farmers Market. After checking out the locally grown autumnal fruits and vegetables, please stop by on Sunday for a free copy of URBIA Adventure Booklet No. 1 “Islands in the Sky,” which explores a string of hills rising above the Inner Sunset with some surprises along the way. We’ll be joined by Nature in the City staff too!

“[Children in the city] had no way to learn about the birds and insects that country children know so well. I felt that the finest form of recreation I could provide for the city’s children was a place where they could work at all kinds of crafts; where they could handle small animals, have their own gardens, and learn about many forms of living things.
Josephine Randall, Supervisor of Recreation in San Francisco from 1926 to 1951

Dear URBIA Adventure League members and friends of URBIA:

Autumn commences with URBIA Adventure No. 2: “Wayfinding at Rocky Mountain” (a.k.a. Corona Heights!)

With this “sense of place” adventure, your family will discover wayfinding skills by navigating the natural environs and rocky heights surrounding the Randall Museum. Expect some fun surprises, amazing views of San Francisco and local stories along the way! Of course a hidden box awaits your discovery at the end of your adventure holding a unique stamp for your booklet and signing journal.

Special event on September 26th at the Randall Museum

Please join the URBIA team and your fellow explorers for a kick-off event in collaboration with the Randall Museum (with a special wildlife demonstration). Drop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the front gates of the museum. There will also be a habitat restoration project in action up on the hill!

Adventure League member families can look in their mailboxes for adventure packets within the next few weeks. (Or if you prefer we can have your adventure packet waiting for you at the event.) If you can’t make the event you can undertake your adventure at any time.

To our friends who enjoyed the first URBIA Adventure “Islands in the Sky” at Golden Gate Heights: please consider subscribing so you can receive great adventure booklets, too! Visit www.urbikids.com

Happy trails!

Damien & Barbara

The Urbia Adventure League offers seasonal self-guided walking adventures for families seeking fun quality time on their schedule.