Kids in Parks programs



Ranger Jesse Bolli answering question



The monument offers many different Kids In Parks programs, I have been able to help on a Creek Critters program, a bug program and on about 8 Nature Discovery Tour programs. My first KIP (Kids In Park) program was a bug program. All of the kids involved got either a jar or a net and we went out on the prairie to see what kind of bugs could be found. The Milkweed plant provided us with many Solider Beetles to examine, along with many other bugs. The Creek Critter program is also very interesting, in the morning the morning I went down to Cub Creek with Ranger Jessica Korgie. We filled 6 buckets with mud, water and all of the critters that lived in that mud and water. The kids then get to dig through all of the buckets to see what they can find. When the kids found something, they could put it an a bucket of clean water so that everyone could check out all of the neat finds!

Helping with the Bug Program

Ranger Jessica Korgie helping kids explore Creek Critters

More Creek Critters exploration

 One of the more popular programs that the monument offers is the Nature Discovery Tour. This is also a great program for all of the hot days because most of the outdoor time is spent on the woodland trail which provides shade! While on the walk we encourage the kids to look around to see if they can find any signs of animals or maybe even the animals themselves. Some of the more common things found while on the walk include: insects, birds, bird feathers, tracks, animals holes (including woodpecker holes) and white-tail deer.

Ranger Jessica Korgie leading a Nature Discovery Tour

Nature Discovery Tour

Ranger Jessica Korgie braving Nettles to show the kids

Nature Discovery Tour

The Kids in Park programs, and other programs that the monument offers are a great way to get kids out in nature and expose them to the National Park Service. Many YMCA's, day care's and scout groups have participated in KIP programs this summer. Next Saturday, August 4th there is a Nature Discovery tour open to any interested kids, 10 am at the Education Center!