Photo By Nkrumiah Frazier

The National Park Trust and our mascot Buddy Bison wants everyone to have an American park experience. We are inviting every family in America to visit a national, state or local park and play outdoors on May 19, 2012! As Buddy Bison says, “Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!”

Last year, nearly 200 mayors coast to coast signed official proclamations and many hosted events in their community parks to celebrate the day. In addition, more than 15,300 families participated.

The vision is simply to remind adults to take a child in their lives to a park – where they can hike a trail, visit a national historic site, or even canoe on a river. American adults live busy and pressure-filled lives – why not give them a reason to take the time to connect a child with an American treasure – a park?

As of this week 45,000 people registered for the event, 45 states participating, plus nearly 200 mayors and the Governors of WV and CO who have signed official proclamations!

Last Sunday was one of those perfect fall afternoons in DC:  Bright blue skies, crisp autumn air and amazing colors of yellow, orange and red shimmered in the sunlight. Who wouldn’t want to be outside? Ten families from Jack and Jill, an African American family organization said “sign me up!” and participated on a hike with  Hiking Along in Scott’s Run Nature Preserve along the Potomac River.

Twenty-three energetic kids and their parents hiked two miles underneath old growth trees to learn about the importance of them in their lives and for the Earth. They listened to a story about the seasonal cycle of tress, hammered leaves onto cloth to learn about chlorophyll, did tree back rubbings to reinforce the bark’s essential role of a tree, and played Simon says to learn about the tree life cycle.

Beyond teaching the activities, I enjoyed watching the kids be challenged by the trail, hills and water crossings, but also witness their imagination with logs, sticks, leaves and rocks. The most memorable moment was watching them use team work to carry a large tree limb down the trail. Land managers, here come the next generation of trail builders – energetic and using team work and communication.

Parents are their children’s biggest role model. My passion is helping families share the wonders of nature while hiking. On Sunday, parents and their kids shared memories and tons of smiles because they had fun in nature. The memories are the best but as one parent said to me, “there is one overlooked benefit, my kids went to bed easily.” Amen.

Name: Cleopatra Warren

Region: Atlanta, Georgia

Profession: Secondary Educator/Social Studies
M.A. Education, New York University New York,NY
B.A. Political Science, Morris Brown College Atlanta,GA

What she loves about the outdoors: Hiking and walking nature trails. The outdoors provides me with an opportunity to recharge and connect with nature. The North Georgia mountains have been one of my favorite places to visit since childhood.

Most important outdoor memory: I’ve had many wonderful opportunties to participate in educational and cultural travel around the globe, including Africa, Europe, South America, Caribbean and most of the U.S. Each summer, I make it a personal and professional goal to travel and connect with the outdoors.

Here is a photo from the summer of 2010, where I participated in an invitational think tank hosted by Expeditionary Learning and the Fund for Teachers at the UCROSS Foundation in Sheridan, Wyoming. The program was designed to engage 20 educators in a weeklong nature retreat, including hiking, walking and group activities to reflect on our instructional practices with respect to student impact from our travel experiences. It was one of the most remote and pristine places I have ever visited.

Why Cleopatra ‘Liked’ Outdoor Afro?: It is so refreshing to see a site dedicated to the broad cultural heritage of African Americans in the outdoors!

Outdoor Afro warmly welcomes Cleopatra!

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The sorrow I feel for the loss of life and suffering is hardly describable, but I am heartened by all the innovative ways people and nations are stepping up to lend a hand using social media. Partners in Health is one organization that has been in the practice of providing quality healthcare for the global poor for two decades:

If you have not donated already to another organization, or still deciding where to make a contribution, please consider supporting PIH who are already mobilized in Haiti and need your support to help those affected by the earthquake.

Thank you.

An earlier look

In 2009, Outdoor Afro was born as a simple Blogger blog and has since been transformed using WordPress and Facebook. The experience of developing the site has opened up a new universe of possibilities for many. To discuss and participate in the outdoors is simply who I am, and it is a rare gift to find work that is so fun, it feels like play. I am tremendously grateful for all the people who have passionately supported this project from the start, which genuinely strives to make a positive difference in the lives of people through the outdoors.

Thank you, and I wish each of you the very best for 2010!

Rue

I don’t know about you, but I have been caught up in the exciting rush of holiday activities! Like Thanksgiving, I can’t wait to bring our family and friends together to catch up, eat great food, and laugh until our sides hurt. Unfortunately this means less time for writing, and I finally realized that it’s perfectly OK to take a little vacay from the keyboard – I just need to let folks know so they know I’m alright — and I am more than alright!

That said, I wish all Outdoor Afros (the coolest people on the planet), the experience of  love, peace, and blue skies this holiday season.

Be safe and enjoy continued blessings!

Rue

Photo By Wharman

Instead I’ll revive a time in my life that existed before I got hooked to the social media I.V., and immerse myself in friends and family. I vow to remain unplugged from digital idols and limit my activities to swimming, eating, hiking, and socializing with people in “real” life!

Nevertheless, I can’t wait to share all the juicy details and photos with you from the trip when I get back!

Till then…

1. For young children, plan initial hikes that take no more than 20-30 minutes. Older kids can trek for about an hour. If you are carrying an infant in a carrier, make sure it is adjusted well – your back will thank you.

2. Research hiking areas in advance to make sure the terrain matches the skill set of your group. Read and adhere to any and all trail or park guidelines. Use a trail map to identify points of interest – and restrooms, if any!

3. Water. Water. Water. Hiking is exercise so water is essential to avoid dehydration. I have hiked along trails where water fountains were non-existent when needed most. Bring a filled water bottle for each person and a snack.

4. Trails can be rugged and hilly or flat and paved. Wear closed toe shoes with socks that are ok to get dirty and comfortable for the type of trail you will use to protect feet from sharp debris.

5. Trail mates can include horses, dogs, and bicyclists, so use caution and courtesy.

6. Everyone should wear a hat and sunscreen for sun protection, even if the trail is mostly shady.

7. To help pass the time, plan a fun quiz based on points of interest or play ‘I Spy’ to help children recognize elements of the landscape and wildlife.

8. Say “Hello” to other hikers – this is part civility and part hiker etiquette that signals to others you’re ok!

9. Establish safety and eco-friendly rules in advance with your children, remind them that running far ahead of you or wandering off trail is not ok. Leave no trace: take home or dispose of whatever you bring to nature.

10. While pine cones, stones, and flowers are to be admired, their home is in the natural environment. Thus, “souvenir” taking is a no-no. Take a picture instead!

Need ideas of where to hike? Go online or visit your regional parks office to find a comprehensive list and map of local trails.

If you are in the East Bay, check out this site for ideas…Happy Hiking!