Dr. Jane Greenberg

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are part of a scary international trend toward less activity. Since 1970, physical activity has dropped 32 percent in the United States and this trend is happening all over the world. For example, in 1969, 40% of students walked or biked to school. By 2001 only 13% of children walked or biked to school. Couple that with increasing use of computers and gadgets and it’s no surprise that some kids are gaining weight. According to the Center for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.

In my day, there was usually one child in a classroom that was overweight, now it’s common.** The health ramifications of this are huge, especially in minority populations. Kids are at risk of heart disease, diabetes and other preventable diseases at earlier and earlier ages. 

Dr. Jane Greenberg, the District Director of Physical Education and Health Literacy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, shared these statistics at the Healthy Living Summit.

Students learn to sail in the Miami-Dade School District as part of physical education classes.

To address this problem, Dr. Greenberg has transformed how physical education looks in Miami Dade public schools. In addition to the usual menu of track, volleyball and soccer, students can choose from kayaking, sailing, snowshoeing on the beach, dance revolution, yoga, and lessons in nutrition. Some schools have exercise equipment where kids use technology to get fit. Since schools have no money, Greenberg created corporate partnerships to fund the programs.

I love this and the kids do too.

We have to engage kids where they are at and come up with new solutions to get kids moving. While I truly believe that getting outside is the best form of exercise, it is unrealistic to think that this will work for all kids. Integrating technology with exercise makes a lot of sense.

We need to recognize that our culture makes it harder to be active. And, we need to realize that getting kids active is only part of the problem.  Parents also need help. Dr. Greenberg said that kids with active parents are 5 times more likely to be active as adults. Adults have a responsibility to their kids and need to get healthy themselves.

*Lest you get too depressed about these statistics, do keep in mind that much of the decrease in activity is due to our aging population. However, that still doesn’t excuse us from what’s happening to our kids.
** There is an upside to the obesity problem; Kids are less likely to get teased for their weight when more kids have the same issue.

You can find Diane gearing up for Bike for Life at the Goodman Community Center. What are you doing to reverse this trend?  

Stump standers. Show kids how to enjoy nature. Photo by Emily Kuntz.

Forget Basketball.
March is all about mud, sandhill cranes and those glorious first warm days.

A few weeks ago, I took 12 kids and two adult volunteers to Cherokee Marsh for some mudilicious fun. We also had fun tromping on the ice, playing with sticks, spotting sandhill cranes and soaking up the warmth of the day. Here are a few tips for a happy mud-filled day.

1) Carry plastic bags: If possible, make sure everyone has proper footwear before heading out. We had two girls with woefully inadequate footwear who complained the whole time – to no avail. In the future, I will always have a few plastic bags on hand. Kids can slip their feet into them before putting on their shoes. The bags will keep their feet mostly dry.

2) Ignore the whiners: No sooner had we gotten out of the van and a few kids were complaining about the mud. It didn’t take long for them to realize that mud is a lot of fun.

3) Get Dirty: Don’t worry if the kids get a little dirty. A bit of mud will not hurt them at all.

We are here at Cherokee Marsh. Show don’t tell.

Teach kids to be bold in the face of sloppiness and how to prepare for it.

4) Don’t forget the binoculars: In a group of 12, it’s good to have about 3-4 pair.

5) Do Nothing: Don’t worry about “doing” anything on your hike. Some kids just don’t get what to do outside so you have to show them. I picked up a stick and started poking at ice. We looked at the ice and how the ice was melting. We stomped on it and inspected leaves stuck in the ice. We spotted birds and listened to sandhill cranes. We found a patch of moss, just starting to grow. We felt its softness and warmth and enjoyed seeing a spot of green color in a sea of brown and white. At the end of the hike, I laid on my back on the warm cement. Several kids joined me. We looked at clouds and listened for birds while soaking up the warmth. Give kids time to invent their own activities. By just hanging out and doing nothing, Matt started mixing up water, mud

and leaves in a cup to make a delightful mud stew. Other kids just enjoyed their snack. There is no need to plan activities all the time.

Are we having fun yet? No caption needed here.

6. Have Fun! Be enthusiastic and show them how to look and listen. They will follow your lead. And don’t worry if you don’t

think you know enough about the outdoors to lead a hike. All you need is a good attitude and the willingness to explore. The kids really don’t care if you know the names of birds or animals. What they care about is having fun and exploring. You can also go back and look up the animals and see if you can find them in a book or on the internet. If you need help, just send me an email at getkidsoutside@gmail.com. I know you can do it.

How do you teach kids how to have fun in the mud? Post your ideas. 

You can find Diane planning for bike club this summer and developing plans for new programs in Madison, Wisconsin. Contact her with ideas on how to get kids outside. 

Guest Post by Ken Myers

Spring Break is a great time to take the kids and have an adventure. The trick is to find a vacation that everyone will like. I know because I have two children that are total opposites. Here are some suggestions for Spring Break adventures that will please everyone and create memories to last a lifetime.

The Beach

When you have two, three, or more personalities in one family there is always something for each of them at the beach: building sand castles, beach combing for shells and driftwood, or reading a book while listening to the waves roll in for the laid back family members. And for those with a desire for high adventure there is surfing, body surfing, sailing, windsurfing for the older kids, snorkeling, and much more. My son loves to body surf, make sand castles, and find fiddler crabs. My daughter is more of the reader and beach comber. We are all happy when we are at the beach. Even just long walks down the beach can be great exercise. Be sure to put on lots of sunscreen and reapply frequently to avoid sunburn. It is easy for small children to get overheated and exhausted at the beach, so make sure you take lots of breaks. Most beach towns also have outdoor amusement parks for activities during the night. Boardwalks and gift shops are a fun way to get your kids out and about all week.

Camping

This is also a way to make multiple personalities happy. I know that some people do not like to rough it, but for those people there are recreational vehicles which you can rent. These vehicles have all the conveniences of home on wheels or pulled behind wheels. We like to camp near the lake which has boating, fishing, skiing, and swimming. You can also take nature walks and go hiking. There is so much fun to be had cooking and singing around the camp fire at night and it can be such a bonding experience for the whole family. There is usually so much wildlife to see when you are out in the woods as well. If your family does biking then many parks offer hike and bike trails that give a new adventurous spin on bikers familiar only with smooth city streets. Kids love skidding through the mud puddles and getting down and dirty with it.

Water Parks

There are great water parks in many cities or within driving distance from most cities around the country. Cold weather states have indoor parks. I have yet to meet a child that does not like to take a trip to the water park. From winding rivers, crashing waves, slides of all sizes, inner tubes, to kiddy pools there is something for everyone at a water park. Many of the parks let you bring in a picnic lunch while some require that you buy your food on the premises. They generally have grassy areas and lounge chairs for relaxing and picnic tables for eating. Lots of cold treats such as ice cream, ices, and cold drinks are offered all through the parks. The great thing about water parks is that they keep kids moving all day long. Swimming, climbing ladders and just playing around in the water burn off tons of energy while being exciting and fun. If a water park is too busy for your style then try tubing down a river. There are many areas that have smooth sailing for floaters and more active participants. Kids will love to paddle along the shallow water and see the sights of nature. They can make new friends and splash around. For more adventurous types you can also do water sports like white water rafting and canoeing or kayaking.

Dude Ranches

For the families that yearn for the old west experience there are many parts of the country that offer dude ranches as your destination. Riding horseback, learning to rope, and eating off the chuck wagon are treats for city folks. The rustic surroundings and the country life can be good for relaxing those strained city nerves. The sounds of coyotes, crickets, and owls serenading you to sleep at night can be just what the doctor ordered, along with the old cow poke strumming on his guitar and singing songs about the old west. Being able to see the stars in all their glory is a special treat as well for those of us who live in constant light pollution. Early to bed, early to rise and hard work all day might not sound like fun, but your kids will love it and learn a lot.

Snow Skiing

Even if you are not a veteran skier there are the bunny slopes. For those that grow up in the snow this is a natural pastime but for those who live in places where they seldom see snow this could be the adventure of their lifetime. Snowboarding and sledding are some other activities that children and adults alike can enjoy. Spring break is the perfect time to visit before all the snow melts.

These are just a few of the many adventures you can take your kids on during their spring break. Take this opportunity to make memories together as a family that will last a life time. Remember that being active and involved can make even the most reluctant child enjoy their vacation. Have fun!

Author Bio:

Ken holds a master’s in business leadership from Upper Iowa University and multiple bachelor degrees from Grand View College.  As president of  morningsidenannies.com, Ken’s focus is helping Houston-based parents find the right childcare provider for their family. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife.

What a great group of kids. They skied their hearts out for eight weeks and learned so much. Many thanks to the volunteers at Blackhawk Ski Club for the lessons and to Goodman Community Center for the kids, van and snack. I also want to thank those of you who donated funds to provide this program. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Spring can now officially begin.

Make an ordinary snowman into something extraordinary with a little color. 

Who says snow has to be white? With a little food coloring, you can turn a field of white into all the colors of the rainbow.

To make colored snow, fill spray bottles with water and add a few drops of food coloring. The kids will have fun marking their territory and creating all sorts of games.

To make snow ice cream, put about a half cup of apple sauce in a small bowl and fill with snow. Mix together and eat. Add some milk to make the mixture creamier or try different flavors. For the complete recipe and lots of variations, click here.

What are you doing to turn winter upside down?

Adding snow to apple sauce makes a yummy snow treat. Add a bit of milk or cream to make the mixture creamy. 

Use food coloring to make rainbow ice cream using snow. It’s yummy and fun to make.

Make cold weather play a family tradition by learning to dress for the weather. You’ll be warm and dry if you follow these tips.

The best way to get kids outside is to get out there with them.

So enough with the excuses.

Here are my time-tested tricks to not only surviving, but enjoying even the coldest of winter weather. Kids do not care how you look so neither should you.

1) Parka with a fur-lined hood: There is a difference between a parka and a coat. A parka is a coat, but a coat is not necessarily a parka.

A parka usually has a hood, large pockets and ample length to cover your backside. If you sit down, you should be able to sit on your coat. Parkas also zip up high on the neck to keep out the wind.  I like this coat from Lands End because the hood has a faux fur-lined trim. The hood adds warmth and the fur shields the face from wind and blowing snow. At under $100, I would buy this parka again. The other coat shown is my “camping coat.” It’s a 30-year-old coat by Wilderness Experience that has stood the test of time. It’s a warm and washable coat that is fun to get smoky. Always keep a mud coat handy for these kinds of outings.

A triple threat: Balaclava, headband and blaze orange Stormy Kromer. It’s important to keep you face, head and ears covered on cold days. Sunglasses protect your eyes and sunscreen will moisturize and protect your skin

2) Balaclava
In extreme conditions, I wear a balaclava, a gladiator inspired piece of clothing that keeps your face and neck warm.

My balaclava is light weight and made of silk, which works best for me. I don’t like something bulky on my head. They range in price from $12-$30 and come in many colors, fabrics and weights. Pick the one you like. Neck warmers and scarves also work just fine as face protectors.

3) Wind proof pants with Base Layer
Warm and dry legs are critical to outdoor comfort. I just upgraded my legwear to a pair of REI WinterFlyte pants for men. At just $40 you can’t beat the price. Why men’s?  Three reasons: 1) They were on sale, 2) they have pockets, and 3) they fit. REI does make them in women’s sizes, but they don’t have pockets. Go figure. Before the upgrade, I wore nylon wind pants over a pair of synthetic long johns or running tights. This worked for me for years.  Flannel lined pants also work well and are very cozy to wear.

Underneath the WinterFlyte’s, I wear a pair of polyester and lycra blend long underwear. Polyester keeps you dry and wicks away sweat while the lycra stretches for comfort. Starting at about $25 a pair, they are an inexpensive must-have item. I got mine at REI, but you get them anywhere. Retailers brand their version of polyester into fancy names like Capilene (Patagonia), Climatesmart (Cuddleduds) and Hyactive (NorthFace). Go with what you can afford and what feels nice. Oh, and you’ll need a base layer on top too.

If you’re going sledding, you will need something to keep your butt dry. I wear a pair of rain paints over the above mentioned pants and long johns. The rain pants don’t breathe, but they’re fine for one hour of sledding, which is about how long it takes before someone gets hurt and you have to come in anyway.

4) Gloves vs Mittens

If my fingers gets cold, I am miserable, so keeping my hands warm is a top priority. In the photo on the right, I am wearing an inexpensive insulated glove I picked up at Dick’s Sporting Goods for about $30. However, they did not keep my hands warm enough so I quickly replaced them with a pair of large men’s Burton Profile mittens at Dick’s for $39. In this case, I chose men’s because it was the only pair of mittens in the store and I needed them for a trip the next day. They have proved to be quite warm and I’d buy them again. Women, don’t be afraid to shop in the men’s department. The same is true for men. You may find the right fit in a different department.

5)  Boots
For my money, nothing beats the classic Caribou boot by Sorel. I have tried many boots and these are by far the warmest boots I have ever owned. I can wear thick wool socks in these boots and my feet have plenty of room to breathe and move. The liner is replaceable which means that I will get sick of these boots before they wear out. The only draw back is that they are clunky and therefore are not the best choice for snowshoeing and walking longer distances. If I decide to get into snowshoeing, I’ll wear a different boot.

6) Socks

Smartwool, or one of the many knockoffs, are the only socks to buy. Smartwool is a wool and lycra blend that keeps your feet warm and washes well without losing its shape. I own the REI version of Smartwool and like them a lot. I’ve been told, however, that once you buy the Smartwool brand you will never go back. They come in great colors and they last longer, so they’re worth the extra cost…or so I’m told. You can pick up socks for about $15 a pair.

7) Sun and Skin protection 

The sun is still out in the winter so protect your eyes with sunglasses and your skin with sun screen. In extreme cold and winter, I put vasoline on my cheeks and lips just prior to heading out. This really helps the skin retain moisture on cold days.

8) Hand and Toe Warmers 
I used to think it was cheating to use air-activated hand and toe warmers, but not anymore. I use them for skating and for outdoor activities where I’ll be standing around. I’ve always had cold hands and feet, so it makes sense to have a few of these on hand, just in case. Pop a few packs in the car too. I bought mine at Farm and Fleet for 79 cents each and I have no regrets.

Let me know how you stay warm in winter. Share you favorite gear and tips.

You can find Diane leading cross-country ski outings at Blackhawk Ski Club with kids or skating at Tenny Park with friends. She’s getting ready for a trip to the Porcupine Mountains where she plans on skiing her heart out. 

Learning to ski teaches valuable lessons in patience.

Teach children to fish and they’ll eat for a lifetime.
Teach children to cross-country ski and they’ll learn patience and how to deal with frustration.

Watching kids learn to ski can be painful because they fall down so much.
Watching kids learn how to get up and deal with their frustration makes up for it.

In addition to learning patience and persistence,  they also…

…get in shape while having fun,
…learn a sport that they can use for the rest of their lives and
…learn to love winter.

Kids who love winter have a much greater chance of  staying healthy and happy especially if they live in snow country.

For the past 4 years, I have had the privilege of taking K-5 students from the Goodman Community Center (GCC) to  Blackhawk Ski Club in Middleton to learn how to cross-country ski. In total, that’s about 50 kids.

This year, the program runs from January 17 to March 7, 2013. Unfortunately, GCC’s funding is tight and the program is in jeopardy. GCC can pay for the transportation - no small contribution – but not for a teacher to get the kids to the lessons.

Half the fun of skiing is drinking hot chocolate after skiing and hanging out with friends. The memories will last a lifetime.

That’s where you come in.

Will you donate to the Ski Club 2013 fund? Just $40 will fund a scholarship for one student to do the full 8 week class?  To run the class, we need a total of $520.

Of course, all donations are appreciated.

To donate, click button to the right (you don’t need a Paypal account). Or, contact me via Facebook if you’d like to send a check. Thank you.

Help make the winter of a few great kids. Thank you! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Diane Schwartz
Get Kids Outside

ET still inspires kids to take flight on their bikes.

“I want to ride like ET,” said Jamar, during bike club last week.

“You mean that you want to fly?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Thank you Jamar for reminding me of the best bike movie ever.

In the movie’s most famous scene, a gang of bike-riding kids outmaneuver the cops to protect their friend ET. Kids ride like the wind through back alleys and roads and take flight from berms. All the while, Spielberg keeps the camera on the kids’ feet as they furiously pedal.

Anyone who’s ever ridden a one speed bike can relate to this scene. Flight does seem possible and Spielberg captures this feeling perfectly. The dazzling moment where Elliot flies away with ET loaded in his basket captures what all kids intuitively know–that anything is possible on a bike.

That’s exactly how I remember biking as a kid and it’s the primary reason why I started Bike for Life.

Jamar rides like the wind toward the capital.

When I was growing up, every kid in my neighborhood had a one speed bike. Just like in the movie, we rode to the park, the pool, to school and to the grocery store. We owned the road and knew all the cracks, potholes and short cuts along the way. We rode like our lives depended on it, even when it didn’t. If something happened, we’d be ready and NO ONE would catch us.

At 10 years old, we ruled the neighborhood and that’s all that mattered.

Bike for Life teaches kids the joy of biking as transportation. While we can’t take as many shortcuts as I took as I kid, we still go places that cars can’t go. We cruise the bike paths, careen under bridges, bump along the grass in the park, and get rock star parking at the grocery store.

We teach kids that you can go anywhere and do anything on a bike.

And, if you’re lucky, you might even take flight.

Thanks Jamar for the reminder.

The fall session of Bike for Life is now over, but you can still ride your bike well into winter. Stay tuned for more fall and winter adventures. 

The Sky Blue Aster grows on the dry prairie at Schumacher Farm Park.

Purple and Yellow.

I would never want these colors in my kitchen, but on the prairie  - and certain pro sport jerseys – they work.

Asters of all types and sizes are now blooming on the prairie, providing the last blast of color before frost sets in. They are the original late bloomers.

I like how the purple and yellow stands out against the rusty-brown and green grasses. The tiny Sky Blue Aster, Aster oolentangiensis, that grows on the dry prairie, is my favorite. It’s a delicate aster with thin stalks and small elongated leaves that grows about a foot tall. I try not to step on them as they gently wave in the breeze.

Asters mark the end of the growing season, just as the pasque flower marks the beginning. Amazingly, both flowers grow on the dry prairie just a few feet apart. Since the burn on March 22, countless flowers have bloomed on the dry prairie. It’s a miracle that land so steep, rocky and dry could produce anything. And yet, each year the cycle continues like clock work, with each flower appearing like an old friend coming for a long overdue visit. The aster is the last visitor before winter, so I savor it a bit more.

The name aster comes from the Greek word for “star,” and its star-like flowers grow in a rainbow of colors – white, red, pink, purple, lavender and blue, with mostly yellow centers.

According to Living in Season, the name comes from the same root word as astrology and asteroid, asterisk and disaster–and in England, they are sometimes called starwort – wort simply means herb or plant with healing properties. The legend goes that Virgo scattered star-dust on earth and they became asters. Another legend attributes their origin to the goddess Astraea – often associated with the constellation Virgo – who withdrew from earth out of sorrow and looking down wept. Her tears became asters.

In ancient times, some believe that the perfume from their burning leaves could drive away evil serpents. Today, they’re known as a talisman of love and a symbol of patience. The French had a special tradition for the aster flower. This flower would be placed on the grave of a French soldier, as a tribute to his bravery and valor.

The stories make me like the aster even more. We can certainly use strength, bravery and patience as we head into winter.

The little star-like flower invites us to enjoy the warmth of autumn and to soak up the remaining color. And finally, it reminds us that the world needs purple and yellow, even if we wouldn’t be caught dead wearing it.

Diane Schwartz is the Site Coordinator at Schumacher Farm Park in Waunakee. The park has a 10 acre prairie restoration and a native prairie remnant where you will find the harbinger of winter, the sky blue aster, and the harbinger of spring, the pasque flower. You can find her exploring the prairie or planning the upcoming Halloween at the Farm event. The event features a Haunted Hayride through the prairie. 

The aster is the last to bloom on the prairie.