Have you seen a Pepsis wasp drag a much larger tarantula to its burrow? Do you know where to spot a woodrat’s den or why male lizards do “push-ups”? Does your child know the difference between a San Diego sunflower and a California sunflower? Does she know that birds’ beaks and feet determine what they eat? Do you and your children know what plants and animals are unsafe to touch, or what to do when you see a rattlesnake? If not, it’s time to take your kids where the wild things are, where they can discover the fascinating world of San Diego’s native flora and fauna at Mission Trails Regional Park, Nature Adventures.
Through songs and skulls, puppets and pelts, together you and your child learn which animals are nocturnal or diurnal, herbivores or carnivores. On trail walks, find out how to identify plants by studying their aromas, colors and shapes of leaves and flowers. By studying tracks, scats, holes and habitats your child will discover which animals are sharing the trails with us. You’ll also learn ways to protect yourself from confrontation with the very few dangerous plants and animals found in our region.
Walk in the footsteps of ancient Kumeyaay Indians, evidenced by the historic grinding rocks seen along the San Diego River. Everyone loves to practice grinding acorns with a hand stone at this very beautiful site. At the end of each two-hour session, children leave smiling, equipped with new knowledge and vocabulary, proudly holding their very own crafts. This culminating activity relates to the topic of the day, inculcating lessons learned. Most importantly, you will spend quality time with your child, outdoors, getting exercise, having fun, all while using four senses to learn and appreciate San Diego’s natural world and our place in this wondrous interdependent web of life.
Nature Adventures!
Mission Trails Regional Park
One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos
619-582-6261
www.mtrp.org
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Linda Gallo Hawley, Ed.M., a former classroom teacher, loves teaching children and parents about San Diego’s great outdoors.
revised: May 2013
