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Why Illinois Kids Need to Get Outside

By: Jeffrey J. Lorenz

Today's young folks of Illinois people are enjoying less and less time outdoors. As parents we know we can have a profound impact on the lives of your offspring. It is your responsibility to introducing your kids to the outdoors for the first time. They may have environmental knowledge about Illinois outdoors which you may enhance or you may just make it a play date. These outside experiences might even awaken a passion for the outdoors that will stay with them forever. The first step is to take a little time for planning, it goes a long way towards a successful and safe outdoor trip. An outdoor field trip is a great educational experience for all involved. So enjoy your time with your kids.
The state parks, natural areas, conservation areas, recreation areas, and fish and wildlife areas of Illinois has information on camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, state park lodges and resorts, interpretive programs and many great ideas for places to visit and things to do in Illinois. I visited www.dnr.state.il.us
Did you know that Illinois has adopted may natural elements here a few: Illinois State Flower - violet Illinois State Soil - drummer silty clay loam Illinois State Dance - square dancing Illinois State Snack - popcorn Illinois State Fruit - goldrush apple
Illinois many places to take your children outdoors here are just a few :
1)Churchill Prairie Nature Preserve Du Page County Churchill is a Wet prairie, mesic prairie, sedge meadow, mesic upland forest, dry mesic upland forest and savanna of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division.A few wildlife species known to occur here are garter snake, fox snake, and meadow vole.
2) Dixie Fromm Briggs Prairie Nature Preserve Kane County Access to the southwest corner of the proposed Nature Preserve is from Wynnfield Drive, which intersects with Sleepy Hollow Road approximately 1/2 mile to the west. Dixie Fromm Briggs Prairie, located in the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division, is a mosaic of natural plant communities arrayed upon a rolling topography with diverse soil types, different exposures, and varying moisture regimes. The dry prairie is extremely rare in Illinois. The preserve also has sedge meadow and graminoid fen wetlands.
3)Black Partridge Woods Nature Preserve Cook County Location and Access: Lemont Road north across the Des Plaines River, continue on Lemont Road to 111th Street (Bluff Road), then west and southwest 1 mi. Black Partridge Woods in Cook County was one of the first dedicated nature preserves in Illinois. The river bluffs, ravine forests, and spring-fed streams represent communities typical of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division of Illinois. The mesic forests are dominated by sugar maple, basswood, red oak and white oak, while the seep springs support skunk cabbage, marsh marigold, and a wide variety of spring wildflowers. Common animal species observed in the preserve include woodcock, gray squirrel, American toad, wood pewee, and red-headed woodpecker. The mottled sculpin, an uncommon bottom dwelling fish, occurs in the stream. Sculpins are restricted to cold and highly oxygenated waters like the stream at the preserve. Black Partridge was a chief and influential leader of the Potawatomi Indians in Illinois during the early 1800's. His village was once located approximately 20 miles north of Peoria, but he is known to have traveled widely in Illinois.
One last pointer you know you kids should get outside but you are just not an outdoor sort of person. No problem their are many out door programs, classes and Illinois Summer Camps available in and around your home.
Thinking of a Summer Camps try SummerCampAdvice.com

Article Source: http://www.articlefinder.org

Learn more about Teen Summer Camp. Stop by the Swift Nature Camp site where you can find out all about this amazing Summer Kids Camp and what it can do for your kids.

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