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.
Illinois is loaded with parks, natural areas, conservation areas, recreation areas, and fish and wildlife areas. These areas have 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 like www.dnr.state.il.us
For instance, 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
Going outside in In Illinois is easy, here are some places to go someday:
1) Truitt Hoff Nature Preserve
DuPage County
To reach it from Roosevelt Road (Route 38), turn north on Kress Road, then east on Downs Drive, then north on Industruial Drive.
Truitt-Hoff Nature Preserve is located in the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Illinois Morainal Natural Division. 120.3 acres in size, the preserve encompasses high-quality mesic prairie, wet-mesic prairie, freshwater marsh, mesic silt loam savanna, and wet prairie natural communities.
2)Kemper Park Nature Preserve
Kane County
Location and Access:
Rt. 68 and 25 in Carpentersville, head north on Rt. 25 for 1.2 miles to Hazard Rd. East (Right) on Hazard until it ends. Kemper Park is a thirteen acre nature preserve is an addition to Helm Woods Nature Preserve, a larger forested tract of dry-mesic upland and northern flatwood forests. Kemper Park Nature Preserve is contiguous to Helm Woods and is comprised of similar plant communities. The dry-mesic upland forest is dominated by white, red and black oaks while the flatwoods are dominated by swamp white oaks, ashes and elms with swamp sedge and fowl manna grass occurring frequently in the understory. Many forbs, especially spring ephemerals, sedges, grasses and shrubs can be found throughout the entire woodland complex. Garlic mustard is a major problem in this preserve. Prescribed burns have been implemented to control this invasive species.
3) Baker’s Lake Nature Preserve
Cook County
Hwy. 14 southeast about 1 mile. The nature preserve is south of Hillside Avenue and southwest of Hwy. 14.
Baker’s Lake Nature Preserve is a 209 acre area containing a 112 acre lake with an island and a stand of mature open-grown oaks. The area provides visitors with an example of a nature preserve which was dedicated primarily to protect a breeding area for rare and endangered birds rather than for its plant communities. The preserve protects a rookery for 4 species of colonial nesting birds; black-crowned night heron, great egret, double crested cormorant and great blue heron. The area also supports common moorhen, yellow-headed blackbird, and black tern. Other species, especially waterfowl, are present during migration.
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.
Finding Overnight Camps is a great place to find camp information try SummerCampAdvice.com
Swift Nature Camp is a Coed Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional camp programs with that of a Science Summer Camp to promote a better appreciation for nature.
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