Posts filed under ‘Working with Low Income Children’

African savannas and Wisconsin state parks

Outdoor adventures with kids bring curious comparisons.

Photo of kids on overlook

“It looks like Africa,” said 8-year-old Marjorie as we drove into Governor Nelson State Park on a cold March day.

I paused, a bit thrown by her thoughtful comment. I mean, I had never heard Wisconsin and Africa being linked geographically. And even if comparisons could be made, you’d think they’d be made during a blistering heat wave and not when the ground was still frozen.

Yet, she was right.

In March, the Wisconsin savanna does look like the African savanna, a sea of tan grass with a few trees dotting the landscape. I almost expected a lion to appear, the image was so vivid in my mind.

This 8-year-old girl made a deep connection between Wisconsin and Africa that can only be made by experience. This blew me away. I love being shown how to see something in an entirely new way and sometimes it takes a child to do it.

This experience is one of many I’ve had while taking kids on outings to state properties. Over the past three years, the Goodman Community Center has partnered with the Sierra Club’s Inner City Outings program to provide outdoor opportunities to more than 300 low-income kids and their families. Outings include hiking, geocaching, eagle watching on the Wisconsin River, cookouts in the middle of winter, Maple Syrup Days at MacKenzie Environmental Education Center and more.

The Goodman Community Center provides the transportation and staff while the Sierra Club provides volunteer leadership, a healthy snack and admission fees. It’s a great arrangement that has introduced many kids to the outdoors.

In the process, they’re learning about the outdoors, having fun and gaining valuable life skills. Here are a few stories.

“Don’t let it get me”

I grew up tromping around in Pheasant Branch Creek in Middleton and visiting my mom’s childhood farm in Sauk County. I had secret hide-outs that I claimed as my own. I could get lost in play and spend hours in the outdoors unsupervised. Therefore, I thought that everyone knew how to hike and enjoy the outdoors.

Not so.

Kids today generally do not have such freedom. Their lives are more structured and free play is limited or nonexistent. Today, we have to take kids outdoors and teach them the basics.

For example, on that same, cold Africa-like trip to Governor Nelson State Park, I pointed out a red-tailed hawk to the group. Immediately, two girls covered their heads and screamed, “Don’t let it get me!”

It never occurred to me that someone could fear a hawk. For me, hawks always meant good luck. The kids also didn’t know how to walk quietly in the woods and listen for animals. On our first outing, they all ran down the path as if on a race.

Turns out, hiking in a state park is cultural. Looking for animals, being quiet and relishing the sights and sounds of the outdoors are taught by doing.

Some kids also need permission to play. I can’t tell you how many kids ask permission to do what appears to be obvious.

On a trip to Blue Mound State Park, the kids asked permission to play in huge piles of oak leaves. I can’t shake the questioning look on their faces when we got to the leaves. They needed permission. It’s as if kids are so conditioned by school that they don’t know how to explore. Outdoor adventures give kids opportunities to leave school rules behind and have fun.

Photo of kids in leaf pile Is there a better playground than a leaf pile?

Doing so, kids learn so much: they overcome fears, they learn self-reliance and perseverance, they learn how to listen and observe, they learn to recognize plants and animals, and how to stay warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. They simply learn to love the outdoors.

While the kids are learning, their parents are learning, too. Parent participation for our trips doubled last year and we expect more parents to participate this year. Outdoor activity is contagious.

Multiple studies have shown that kids who spend time outdoors do better in school and have less stress. I would further argue that outdoor skills enhance real self esteem.

“I saw that”

“Look carefully, you might see a turkey.”

Or a deer or a snake or a sandhill crane. Just fill in the blank. There’s nothing better than seeing an animal for the first time. It’s exciting and fun and makes kids happy. I think it helps kids do better in school, especially kids who struggle with academics.

I have a group of boys who consistently attend my trips. These kids have enviable energy levels that can test even the best of teachers. Outside, however, they are stimulated and respectful…most of the time. I believe it’s because they’re always “looking for a turkey.” Outside, they never know what’s going to happen. They’re a little bit anxious and a little bit excited. That’s a good mix. It keeps kids on their toes.

The boys saw a dizzying array of birds last spring at Governor Nelson State Park: sandhill cranes, catbird, hummingbird, geese, swallows and lots more.

Do you think the next time they see a crane or a hummingbird in a book, they’ll know what they are? No doubt. Do you think they’ll be proud of themselves? Confident? You bet. They’ll have the satisfaction of knowing something deep down and that could make all the difference.

“I saw that. I really did.”

I can hear it now.

“I did it”

“Do we really get to shoot a gun?” squealed 8-year-old Gavin.

Yes, yes you can.

In July, I took a group to Outdoor Skills Day at the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center in Poynette. It’s a day when kids learn how to do normally forbidden things like throw a hatchet and shoot a pellet gun among other “dangerous” outdoor skills.

Naturally, the kids couldn’t wait.

Outdoor skills are perfect for kids with high energy. I could see their confidence grow as the day went on. They loved using their minds and their bodies to succeed.

“I hit it,” beamed 5-year-old Ebrahim after hitting the target with a hatchet – just one of 50 kids who did.

Five-year-old Maria, hesitant at first about using a gun, quickly found her inner sharpshooter and racked up a string of bulls-eyes. I swear she grew two inches taller, her confidence soaring in the wake of her accomplishment.

This is real self-esteem that comes from doing something the child didn’t think she could do, not the fake self-esteem that comes from meaningless praise.

We tend to forget that even young kids can accomplish great things if given a chance.

“Can my kid go?”

Three years ago, a distraught mother asked me if 8-year-old John could come on an outing.

John’s behavior was out of control at school. I told her that the trips are meant for kids like John. He came along and he did well, very well.

Since then, John has attended more trips than any other child with no meltdowns, tantrums or outbursts. His mother shared his success with his classroom teachers and the positive feedback helped John turn the corner for the better. He’s now in fifth grade and succeeding on all levels.

I have no doubt that these trips helped John get through a difficult year, just like nature helped me get through my dad’s death when I was 10 years old.

Nature heals, soothes and inspires, which is a primary reason why I do this work.

My hope is that exposing young kids to our beautiful state properties will lay a foundation for lifelong learning and happiness. At the very least, the kids get an adventure full of wonder, fun, and perhaps even a little learning.

Diane Schwartz is a consultant, writer and outdoor education teacher at Goodman Communitiy Center in Madison. She writes a blog at Get Kids Outside. She is also the site coordinator at Schumacher Farm in Waunakee. You can contact her at Diane Schwartz.

Get Outdoors! logo

To learn more about environmental education for kids, visitEnvironmental Education for Kids (EEK!). The Wisconsin State Park System has a new initiative aimed at getting children and families to spend more time outdoors with nature. It’s fun, and it’s good for you!To learn more visit Get Outdoors! Wisconsin. To donate to the Outdoor Education Fund, send tax deductible contributions to:
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa Street
Madison, WI 53704
Attn: Diane Schwartz
Story and photos by Diane Schwartz, Feb 2012 Issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine

February 3, 2012 at 4:16 am 2 comments

Kids learn to enjoy winter at Indian Lake County Park

Even without snow, the kids made use of the sledding hill.

Lou and his mother didn’t look too happy as we gathered at 9 a.m. on a cold, December morning for a trip to Indian Lake County Park.

“I had my doubts,” mom admitted. But she showed up anyway along with 30 others. At the end of the day, they were all smiles and glad they came.

Despite the lack of snow and 10 degree temps, the kids found lots of ways to stay warm and have fun. Plus, Indian Lake is a drop-dead gorgeous park. The sunny, blue skies formed a perfect back drop for limitless outdoor fun:

- Kids ran, slid and rolled down a frost covered sledding hill.

- Kids played on a huge pile of wood. They turned the wood pile into a fort, a mountain or just a neat place to climb. They killed off space aliens, played soldier games and lots more.

- Kids played with sticks, the best toys ever.

- Kids examined beautiful frost crystals that coated the ground.

Sticks are the best toys ever. Note the lack of mittens.

- Kids helped build a fire.

- Kids played football and kicked around a ball.

- Kids hiked up the hill to see a historic chapel.

- Kids ate hot dogs and hot chocolate.

But mostly, the kids learned that sometimes it’s important to get up and go even if it’s cold. Parents set the example. Unfortunately, about 15 kids missed out because their parents cancelled.

We forget how warm kids get when they run around. No matter how many times we asked kids to put their hats on, most didn’t listen and took them off anyway. Go figure. Kids just don’t react to cold the same way as adults.

Winter is a great time to get outside. It’s important to help parents and kids learn how to enjoy the winter.

How do you respond to fears about cold weather? 

Playing football in the morning sun. Again, no mittens. Are they crazy?

December 18, 2011 at 2:20 pm 2 comments

Carrot Juice vs Chips: Bike for Life explores the options

Surprise: Kids like carrot juice.

Carrot juice or chips?
Raw peanut butter anyone?
What do you think kids will eat?
Turns out they’ll eat all three, but not necessarily in that order.

I didn’t think they’d like carrot juice, but they did.
They watched intently as the Willy Street Coop juice bar man turned carrots into juice with the flip of a switch. The rich, orange juice flowed out and the kids eagerly drank it up. They also loved watching peanuts turn into peanut butter in the grinder.  They liked that it looked kinda gross coming out of the machine, which always helps with kids.

After they tried the juice and peanut butter, I took out chips and chocolate to talk about portion size and choices in food. They squealed with delight. Sugar, salt and fat make for tough competition. No squeals for carrot juice and unsweetened/unsalted peanut butter, but then again, they had never tried them before.  On the other hand, junk food, is readily available and a primary cause of obesity in kids.

Can you just 12 chips?

Of course, the real challenge with junk food is how much kids eat.

Did you know that there are about 12 chips and 250 calories in one serving?  Have you ever tried eating just 12 chips in a sitting?  That’s the challenge. I offered single serving bags of chips to make the point.

The next time you sit down to eat chips, challenge yourself and your kids to eat just one serving. And, before you eat, read the ingredient label. Turns out that the nacho cheese flavored chips are loaded with preservatives, whereas simple potato chips contain just potatoes, oil and salt. Even in the chip world, there are choices.

As for the chocolate, the package said a serving was half the bar. This seemed like a lot so we talked about that. Can you eat just a few squares of chocolate and put the rest away for another day?  I know I can’t, which is why I don’t eat chips or eat sugar. I shared this with the kids so they know that there’s a choice. They don’t get it, but then again, they don’t have to, just yet.

Kids are smart and while most of their food choices are made by others, I believe that this information will make a difference to them.

Perhaps not now, but in the future.

What do you think?   

Bike for Life is an obesity prevention program created and run by Diane Schwartz out of the Goodman Community Center. It’s funded by the Endres Foundation and the Rosenlund Family Foundation. The group is enjoying the great fall weather by biking around Madison. Next week, we’ll head up to the Capitol. 

October 15, 2011 at 10:39 pm Leave a comment

When it’s okay to shoot a gun: Outdoor Skills Day

Ebrahim, Gavin and Juan target practice.

Year ago, shooting a gun was a rite of passage for boys and BB guns were common. Today, BB guns and bow and arrow sets are pretty much things of the past, but not at Outdoor Skills Day at MacKenzie Environmental Education Center in Poynette.

For one day each summer, kids learn how to shoot at targets, throw hatchets, cast a fishing line, cut wood, cook over a fire, start a fire without a match and lots more. I went with 13 kids ages 5 to 13 plus three parents.

At first, I was a little nervous, but once I saw how great the kids were behaving, I loosened up a bit. They were so respectful of each other and of the skills they were learning. The people at MacKenzie know what they’re doing. They made it safe.

The Bowhunters Association, DNR wardens and fisheries staff, and lots of volunteers were on hand to teach kids how to do things safely. They had the all the right equipment and plenty of room.  Kids learned that shooting a gun wasn’t about killing people, but about concentration and skill. It was wonderful to see the kids so focused.  I could see their self-confidence grow as they practiced. Experiential learning is so important for kids, especially high energy kids.

As a result of this trip, I’m inspired to bring an archery program to Goodman Community Center or to host our own Outdoor Skills Day. We could use a few more confident, respectful kids.

So what do you think?  Do you think events like this are okay?  What is your experience working with kids and outdoor skills? 

Tania (age 5) and Buba (age eight) work the cross-cut saw.

Angel (age 13) shoots a muzzle loader with help from a Wisconsin Muzzle Loader Association volunteer.

Mari (age eight) gears up for archery.


Ebrahim (age 5) throws and then hits the target. His face says it all.

Gavin (age eight) gets instruction from a Wisconsin Muzzle Loading Association volunteer before taking aim.

July 10, 2011 at 4:02 pm Leave a comment

$1 Snack Attack: What will kids choose to eat?

What will kids buy if they only have $1 to spend on a snack?

That was the Bike for Life challenge last week.

The kids could choose from the following as long as they stayed under $1:
- apple or banana – 22-60 cents
- cheese stick – 33 cents
- 1 oz peanuts – 22 cents
- 1 candy bar – 93 cents
- Single serving bag of chips 33 cents

Before they made their choices, we talked about each item and  its nutritional value. We also looked at portion size and learned how to read a nutrition label.

Then, we biked to Copps grocery store on Aberg and took a tour of the departments. The store manager gave us a tour and the kids made their choices.

Of the six boys, 1 chose peanuts, two chose an apple and cheese stick, 1 chose the chips, and two chose the candy bar. Of the 7 girls, all bought an apple along with either the nuts or a cheese stick.

For whatever reason, it appears the boys felt freer to buy junk food. The two boys were giddy that I’d let them buy candy. If given money and the choice, some kids will always buy candy.

When I asked John why he chose the chips, he said “I just felt like a chip.”  Perhaps he associated chips with a reward, or he craved the salt. Regardless, nutrition had nothing to do with his choice.

The girls all chose a healthy snack: either an apple and nuts, or an apple and cheese stick.  One person commented that she didn’t get the candy because she could buy two things for her money instead of one candy bar. Just like John, nutrition had nothing to do with her choice. It’s also possible that the girls wanted to please me or were driven by peer pressure. Since none of the girls said they wanted a candy bar, perhaps it was too risky for a lone candy bar lover to break from the pack. I wonder what would have happened if just one boy would have wanted the candy. Would he have risked speaking up?

Overall, I think it was a good experiment. Most of the kids chose healthy snacks despite less healthy options. Next time, I’ll ask more questions about why they chose what they did.  Healthy eating takes a lifetime to learn and this was a small learning step. Two things are  certain, 1) kids have lots of reason for choosing what they eat and 2) the will never forget (I hope) the day that their teacher gave them $1 to spend anyway they wanted.

July 4, 2011 at 6:13 pm Leave a comment

Biking: Independence on Wheels

Icie and Micah show off our super cool folding bikes outside the Goodman Community Center after our first neighborhood ride.

A bike is an independence machine.

Give a kid a bike and they have the means to see and do things
that they couldn’t do before. Of course, biking is also good exercise, it’s good for the environment and it’s just plain fun.
I just launched a new biking program at Goodman Community Center
called Bike for Life. Bike for Life teaches kids how to safely ride and navigate city bike paths and roads. It also strives to get kids moving and teach them about healthy nutrition. Obesity is a huge issue today, especially among minority populations. Of course, the serious stuff is disguised in the fun and adventure of biking.
Stay tuned for more stories about biking with kids this summer.
It’s time to Bike for Life.

May 29, 2011 at 11:20 pm Leave a comment

Kids get Bikes on Thursday!

Six kids will get a new bike on Thursday.
They’re excited and I’m excited.
They’ve worked hard at doing service around  the Goodman Community Center. They’ve washed windows, picked up trash and worked with preschoolers. They’ve written book reports too.

We’ll walk to the Wheels for Winners garage on Thursday and the kids will pick out their bikes.  I can’t wait.

May 24, 2011 at 12:17 pm Leave a comment

A Taste of Independence: Trusting kids

With the freedom to explore, a child spotted a pair of cranes and took this photo.

I let three 9-year-old boys walk a good distance ahead of the group on a hike at Governor Nelson State Park last week.

This might not sound like a big deal, but it was for them.

They wanted to feel independent. And yet, they kept looking back, just to make sure we were still there. That’s how growing up works. Kids want to stretch their wings, but do so only when they feel that someone will catch them if they fall.

It’s important to give kids opportunities to be independent. They don’t get this otherwise.

Unlike my youth, these kids do not get to roam outdoors.

They go from home to school to after school and then back home again.
They do not get to practice being independent even in the smallest ways, like going to the grocery store or walking to school.

On this trip, I was happy to give them a taste. And look what happened. They “snuck up” on Sandhill Cranes; they spotted a hummingbird; they watched Canada geese with their goslings; they walked on the rocks by the water and spotted a dried up carp.

They were so excited and engaged and I didn’t have to do anything, but be with them. They developed observation skills, gained confidence and expanded their knowledge of the world.

But most important, they learned to trust themselves and I learned to trust them.

Let me know how you give kids a taste of independence.

May 21, 2011 at 8:27 pm Leave a comment

Let’s Go Biking: New folding bikes arriving soon

Really cool Schwinn folding bike. Gotta love the back rack. Makes you want to ride doesn't it?

“Let’s go biking!”

We will receive five Schwinn folding bikes next week. These bikes form the foundation of a new bike program at the Goodman Community Center. I am very excited about this program and will start taking kids on trips as soon as the bikes arrive.

Why folding bikes?  Well, they are much easier to store and they look really cool. The kids will love them. Plus Willy Street Bikes gave us a really good deal.

Stay tuned for more information on this exciting program.

Tell me what you think?  Do you like to bike? Have you ridden a folding bike? What are your favorite places to ride with kids?

It’s beautiful day in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Diane is stuck inside writing grants in order to take more kids outside. If you’d like to contribute to Get Kids Outside, please “like” this article. If you’d like to donate to Get Kids Outside, just email me with your donation amount and I’ll forward a Paypal link. Thank you.

April 13, 2011 at 3:32 pm 2 comments

Wheels for Winners: Kids earn a bike for service

Every kid should have a bike. Period. Biking promotes independence and fitness but most of all it’s fun.

Wheels for Winners is one of the coolest organizations on the planet because they put bikes in the hands of kids – and adults – that can’t afford them.

The program is easy.
Kids do 15 hours of community service and earn a bike, helmet, lock and license.

I just started working with five 3rd and 4th graders on this program. We’re doing jobs around the Goodman Community Center and they love it. Kids love being of service. It boosts their self-worth and teaches them about the world. Remarkably, one of my kids is doing the program just to do the service. She already has a bike!

If you know of a kid who doesn’t have a bike and can’t afford one, let them know about this program. Many organizations would be happy to work with you. And, if you can’t do service, kids can write 5 book reports instead. The reports don’t have to be scholarly, just enough to let them know that you read the book.

It’s a great program. Let me know what you think.

You can find Diane working with kids at the Goodman Community Center or at Schumacher Farm Park looking for pasque flowers.  Register for this blog now and receive a free 11-page Bubble Activity Guide. Oh, and don’t forget to “like” what you see.

April 12, 2011 at 4:57 pm Leave a comment

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Diane Schwartz


Welcome to Get Kids Outside. I'm glad you're here because that means you are interested in kids and playing outside. If you like what you see please "like" it. If you have comments, please leave them. If you don't like something, let me know that too. I appreciate my readers.

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