Celebrate Take A Child Outside Week in Champaign-Urbana

Next week (September 24-30) is Take A Child Outside Week, a program “designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. By arming parents, teachers and other caregivers with resources on outdoor activities, our goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration.”

We are very lucky here in the Champaign-Urbana metro area to have amazing local parks as well as a thriving Forest Preserve District. We also have great outdoor resources such as Allerton Park, Clinton Lake, Kickapoo State Park, and Moraine View State Park, all within driving distance. Of course, you don’t need to drive anywhere to be outside, just step out the door! Here is a list of outdoor activities suggested by the folks behind Take A Child Outside.

The Homer Lake Playscape (seen here in July 2012) will celebrate its Grand Opening on Sept. 27. Chambanamoms.com photo

Here is a list of local events celebrating Take a Child Outside Week and National Public Lands Day:

Worldwide Day of Play – FREE
Saturday, September 22, 12-2:00 p.m.
King Park, Urbana
Sponsored by the Urbana Park District — they supply the games and sports equipment; you turn off the TV and join us as we celebrate the American Heart Association and Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play! It’s more than a technology break. Outdoor play is great for your heart and great for making new friendships. In case of inclement weather, check urbanaparks.org or 367-9575 for information.

Grand Opening of the Natural Playscape at Homer Lake – FREE
Homer Lake Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S Homer Lake Rd, Homer
Thursday, Sept. 27, 5:30 P.M.
You’re invited to the Grand Opening of the Natural Playscape at Homer Lake, Thursday, September 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. The Homer Lake Natural Playscape is a playground designed to connect people to nature. The Natural Playscape includes a stream, plants, boulders, logs, earth mounds and more to provide a highly creative, interactive play experience.

The Great Trash Stash – FREE
Saturday, September 29, 9-11:00 A.M.
Anita Purves Nature Center, 1505 N. Broadway, Urbana
Join Urbana Park District staff on National Public Lands Day and help remove trash from Busey Woods. Then stay for refreshments and information about other ways to help parks. Receive a National Public Lands Day Certificate for volunteering. Long pants, long sleeves, and sneakers or hiking boots are recommended. Call 384-4062 by Sep 27 to let us know you are coming. This free event is for ages 7 and up. Under age 16 with adult.

National Public Lands Day at the Pollinatarium – FREE
Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Pollinatarium, 606 W. Windsor Rd., Urbana, IL
Families are welcome to help transplant flowering prairie plants into small pots to help restore pollinator habitat. For additional information email ldeem1@life.uiuc.edu or phone Lesley Deem at 217.333.2070.

INTO TREES – FREE
Homer Lake Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S Homer Lake Rd, Homer
Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Can’t see the forest for the trees? Stop by the Homer Lake Interpretive Center and enjoy a day of tree-related crafts, activities, and more. Making a leaf collection? Join us for guided hikes leaving from the center at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Learn how to identify trees and which leaves are okay to collect, and special permission will be granted to remove leaves from the forest preserve. Free. For more information, (217) 896-2455 or ebickers@ccfpd.org.

HOWL OF THE COYOTE: A FULL MOON HIKE 
Sangamon River Forest Preserve, 2797 County Road 600 E, Fisher
Saturday, Sept. 29, 6:30 P.M.—8:00 P.M.
Mythological tricksters… American jackals… Prairie wolves. Coyotes, despite their bad reputations, play a vital role in our rural and urban communities. But can we learn to coexist in peace? Guest presenter Lisa Braddock, local Corps of Discovery member and Master Naturalist, will explain why the coyote’s resilience, adaptability, and intelligence deserve our respect. Join us for a glimpse into the lives of these elusive “song dogs.” A short presentation will be followed by a hike in the light of the full harvest moon. Please bring your own bug spray. $2 per person; children 2 and under are free. Registration required; call (217) 896-2455.