Child’s Play Bringing Kids Back to Nature By Theresa Gawlas Medoff

24 / O UTDOOR D ELAWARE Winter 2012 the Kaiser Family Foundation, today’s to connect with nature, and to gain school-age children spend 6.5 hours a day a sense of stewardship,” says Rachael with electronic media — and just minutes Phillos, nature center manager at Killens playing outdoors in unstructured activi- Pond State Park. ties. That’s a statistic that the folks at DN- The Educational Side REC’s Division of Parks and Recreation State park naturalists say that they are are acutely aware of, and one they are astounded sometimes by the naivety of trying their best to turn around. The some of the children who come to the Participants in Bellevue major part of the mission of parks on school fi eld trips. “They step off State Park’s Youth Fishing Tournament State Parks has always been to get people the bus and see more than four trees to- show off their catch. outside and into nature, says Ray Bivens, gether and think they are in the jungle,” DNREC operations, maintenance and Phillos says. programming section administrator. But “We often have kids who’ve never at a time when children are increasingly been in a forest before,” adds Angel nature deprived, our parks are doing Burns, naturalist at more than ever to attract families by add- State Park. “They’re very concerned ing new programs, making people aware about going into the woods and want to of existing offerings, and increasing the know if there are bears out there.” accessibility of the parks. State parks have long been a desti- Ongoing efforts by the state parks nation for school fi eld trips, and as the were given a boost recently when Gover- home schooling movement has grown, nor Markell formed a taskforce for a new parks have added programs for those statewide initiative called Children in children as well. In addition to summer Nature/No Child Left Inside. DNREC’s day camps, many state parks offer camps Bivens and the state Department of Edu- during shorter school breaks, too. cation’s John Ray chair the two-year-old Melanie Wilkinson, owner of Be taskforce, which released its report in Yoga Studio in Felton, discovered Killens October. Pond State Park when she was looking Delaware is one of numerous states for a place near work to bring her sons, seeking to reconnect kids with nature in Cailan, 7, and Aiden, 18 months, for a order to battle “nature defi cit disorder,” walk in the woods. “There was one pro- a term coined by Richard Louv, author gram on the ecosystem that inspired us of Last Child in the Woods. The defi ciency to start a two-month journaling project,” stems from a number of factors, including Wilkinson says. The Wilkinsons now

BELLEVUE STATE PARK BELLEVUE STATE the loss of natural spaces, the prevalence spend a great deal of time outdoors and of technology, the growth of structured visit state parks at least twice a week. any of my most vivid childhood play, and a generalized fear of the out- memories are of outdoor play. doors, Bivens says. The consequences are MAfternoons spent exploring the many. Experts link the childhood obesity creek near my grandmother’s house. epidemic partly to the loss of outdoor Summer nights playing far-ranging activity, and they say that nature depriva- games of relievio. The time my cousins tion interferes with mental health as well. and I attempted to dig to China — and Nature defi cit disorder, Louv warns, became convinced we’d stumbled upon narrows the senses, inhibits the develop- hell instead when we found a piece of ment of resourcefulness and creativity, wood that resembled a devil’s horn. My makes children less skilled at problem- peers and I roamed freely around the solving and working cooperatively, and neighborhood and fi lled our days with all ultimately “reduces the richness of hu- sorts of games of make-believe. man experience.” And at a time when the My childhood experiences were fairly march toward development is threatening routine in my day, but they are becoming parks and other natural spaces, environ- increasingly foreign to today’s children. mentalists fear that with little exposure to Instead of building tree houses or play- nature these future voters and legislators ing ball in a vacant lot, these youngsters will not value it. Fishing is a time-honored way for parents are inside watching television or playing “Children need a safe place to come and children to spend time together in video games. According to a study by and explore the forest, ponds and streams, Delaware’s state parks.

Winter 2012 O UTDOOR D ELAWARE / 25 Reaching Out Unfortunately, park regulars like the Wilkinson are the exception. While state parks continue to serve their needs, program specialists are also reaching out to attract those who rarely visit parks, in part by working collaboratively and creatively with other groups. , for example, is partnering with the new Dover Public Library to create a Nature Nook where patrons can check out backpacks fi lled with materials for exploring the out- doors. The park and library are also looking into having minibuses pick

people up at the library and take them DNREC to the park for hikes and other activities, Seining programs with the park naturalist are popular at Delaware Seashore State Park. says Matt Ritter, chief of programming for Delaware State Parks. hosts an annual Healthy Kids Day where different groups sponsor stations for archery, bicycling, fi shing and other activities. Collaboration with a medical practice in Sussex County has pediatricians writing “prescriptions” for physical activity and handing out day passes and trail maps to state parks. This past summer, held a teacher workshop to PARK CREEK STATE WHITE CLAY State parks frequently host school groups. show teachers what is available to them. Students here are learning about geology at The park, which has dorm-style ac- White Clay Creek State Park. commodations, is trying to expand its overnight program for student groups, The highly successful Trail Chal- says naturalist Richard Julian. lenge, which encourages individuals and families to hike at a variety of state parks, Family Time led to the addition fi ve years ago of the State park programs designed for children Great Parks Pursuit, which is designed DNREC sometimes have an unintended benefi t specifi cally for families. Participants in The Trail Challenge is one way that — they educate parents as well. “We are the Great Parks Pursuit seek to check off Delaware State Parks are encouraging families to discover the state parks close to seeing young parents who didn’t grow up 20 or more qualifying activities on a list home and farther afield. spending much time outdoors. They are of suggestions provided by the Divi- not familiar with the outdoor experience sion of Parks and Recreation. Among Joey and his mom were both im- and so parks aren’t their fi rst choice for the choices: rent a or , camp pressed by the variety of birds — and family recreation,” says Dorothy Payton, under the stars, and discover sea life at even a muskrat — that they saw on a assistant park superintendent at Bellevue Delaware Seashore State Park. guided kayak trip at Killens Pond. “It State Park. But a young parent who Mary Storm-Baranyai of Newark has was the fi rst time we’d tried kayaking,” brings a toddler to a Wee Have Fun Club participated in both the Trail Challenge Storm-Baranyai says. “I don’t think we event at Bellevue might be encouraged to and the Great Parks Pursuit with her ever would have done it if not for the come back again for a picnic or a hike, or husband, Joe Baranyai, and their seven- Great Parks Pursuit.” to fi sh in the stocked pond. year-old son, Joey. “We really enjoy Ritter says that state parks are devel- The summer concert series offered at spending time at our local state park, oping other ways to bring families into some state parks attracts as many as 1,000 White Clay Creek, but now we have the parks. A new website is in the works people at White Clay Creek State Park. some new favorites, like Killens Pond that will show families what parks are Parks also host hay rides and owl prowls and Trap Pond,” Storm-Baranyai says. available to them within a specifi ed radi- and events like the First Day Hike on “Joey was a hard sell at fi rst, because he us, and parks offi cials are talking with the New Year’s Day, which was held for the really likes video games and TV, but now state Department of Transportation about second time this past January. he enjoys the parks.” adding bus routes to take people closer

26 / O UTDOOR D ELAWARE Winter 2012 event in Dover for the Children in Nature/ No Child Left Inside initiative. Fillman says she grew up spending time outdoors, and she wants to bring the same experience to her own daughter, three-year-old Raegan, and to other Delaware children. “I grew up in a remote area of Penn- sylvania, and nature was right outside my door. I was what you’d call a free-range kid,” Fillman says. “I value the lessons that nature taught me, and I want my daughter DNREC to understand that it’s important to preserve Cape Henlopen is one of several state parks in Delaware where visitors can rent boats and enjoy the state’s waterways. nature and have a connection with it.” To fi nd out more about DNREC’s Divi- to state parks. The Division of Parks and Spreading the Word sion of Parks and Recreation’s numerous Recreation is also looking into the idea The efforts of those who care for Dela- family programs, visit www.dnrec.dela- of providing park passes that people can ware’s parks are being helped by people ware.gov/cin . OD check out at their local libraries for free like Carla Fillman of Magnolia, who access to the park for a day. started an online meet-up group called FREELANCE WRITER THERESA GAWLAS MEDOFF New naturalist-led programs to be WHEE (Weekly Healthy Earth Encoun- WRITES FREQUENTLY ABOUT EDUCATION, added at some parks will introduce ters) for families. Just a few months old, FAMILY AND TRAVEL. SHE IS A FREQUENT CON- families to skills they might lack, such as the group already has nearly 20 families TRIBUTOR TO OUTDOOR DELAWARE. SHE LIVES fi shing or cooking over a campfi re and on its list. Events are offered several times IN WILMINGTON AND HAS TWO DAUGHTERS, other camping skills. The hope is that a week, and attendance can include as AGES 17 AND 21. these user-friendly introductions to out- many as ten families. Fillman says she was door living skills will encourage families inspired to start the group after attend- to try new experiences. ing a talk by Louv, who spoke at a kickoff

Places to Go, Things to Do and See Nature-Based Family Weekends Many of Delaware’s state parks off er overnight options ranging from tent and RV sites to fully equipped cabins, providing options for a variety of inexpensive, nature-based family weekends throughout the state. Here are just a few suggestions to jumpstart your creativity. Visit destateparks.com to learn more about what the parks have to off er for day trips and overnights.

Base camp: (New Castle County) Sleeping options: Choose from campground sites for RVs/campers or tents, or rent a yurt (a raised, circular, enclosed wooden structure). What to do: Spend your arrival day exploring all that Lums Pond has to off er, including

beautiful hiking and biking trails, a large pond that’s great for fi shing, and sailboat, rowboat, DNREC canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals (from May 1 to Sept. 30). Cook dinner over a campfi re A family participates in a bike race at Brandywine Creek State Park as and spend the evening stargazing. On day two, head over to State Park on Pea part of the Delaware State Parks Adventure Race Series. These races, Patch Island and take a ferry ride back in time to the summer of 1864. The lives of Union and which were introduced in 2005, feature biking, running, kayaking, Confederate soldiers, and civilians, are recreated by costumed interpreters at this Civil War-era orienteering and more for teams or individuals of any age. fort. There are no concessions on the island, so be sure to pack a picnic basket. Don’t forget water, sunscreen and bug spray (just in case). Base camp: Cape Henlopen State Park (Sussex County) Sleeping options: Sites for RVs/campers and tents or try the new rustic cabins that opened Base camp: Killens Pond State Park (Kent County) in 2012. They come equipped with electricity, heat/AC, a mini-fridge and screened-in porches. Sleeping options: Sites for RVs/campers and tents or cabins equipped with full bathrooms, (Bathroom and shower facilities are provided at the nearby bathhouse). mini-kitchens, electricity, heat/AC and screened-in porches. What to do: Cape Henlopen is a destination park off ering miles of ocean beach for sunbathers, What to do: Killens Pond State Park is a wonderful family park with amenities such as a water surf fi shermen and families on vacation. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are guarded park, hiking trails, playgrounds and a nature center with live reptiles and amphibians. During beaches with a bathhouse as well as other unguarded ocean beach areas. Before settling in on the last week of July, the Delaware State Fair comes to the town of Harrington, just a 10-minute the beach, take advantage of the free bike program and pedal to the Seaside Nature Center to drive from the park. The fairgrounds complex also has an indoor ice-skating rink that is open see the 1,000-gallon aquariums. Then, pedal on to the Fort Miles Historic Area, where you can year-round. After a busy day, settle in with a campfi re and s’mores. Before you head home, be learn how Cape Henlopen defended our coast during World War II. After a good night’s rest, visit the historic Indian River Life-Saving Station and see the unique method surfmen used to rescue sure to visit the DuPont Nature Center in Slaughter Beach to learn about life on the Delaware Bay, th including Delaware’s unusual horseshoe crabs and their connection with migrating shorebirds. travelers from stranded ships at the turn of the 20 century. Then, fi nish the day with a visit to Take a stroll on Slaughter Beach to see what wildlife you can fi nd. the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk for shops, restaurants and rides. OD

Winter 2012 O UTDOOR D ELAWARE / 27