Wet weather this weekend? Spend indoor time applying for outdoor scholarships and then update your calendar with some fun events.
CONTESTS: I wanted to provide you with links to a few worthwhile contest/scholarship opportunities. I didn't include all the information here. You'll have to click over to the links to read more. One of the entry dates is February 28th, so make sure you apply soon.
2nd Annual Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award (USA)
The Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Craig Tufts, chief naturalist of National Wildlife Federation. Each year the Fund grants an award to one youth (between the ages of 8-18) to attend a Family Nature Summit. The Fund provides travel, room and board and program fees for the award winner and an accompanying parent or guardian. This year's Family Nature Summit will take place in the Ozark Mountain Region of Missouri, August 1–7, 2011. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on March 31, 2011, for consideration. (My son was a runner-up recipient last year and we were honored to attend the 2010 Summit. It was an invaluable educational experience for our whole family.)
Cox Cares Conservation Champion Award (Orange County Only)
Cox Cares, the community outreach arm of Cox Communications in Orange Coast, will accept nominations through Feb 28 for the company’s Cox Conservation Champions program. This awards program honors individuals who work to create, preserve, improve or enhance the shared outdoor places in our communities. Volunteers of all ages who reside within Cox Orange Coast’s service may apply or be nominated for a Conservation Champion award. First-, second- and third-place winners in each category will receive $2,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively, to donate to a local environmental non-profit organization of their choice within the service area of Cox Orange Coast. The organization must be a registered 501(c)(3). Visit www.cox-cares.org to access an online nomination form. Online voting will take place from March 28 to April 20, 2011, concluding at 5 p.m. PST.
Kohl's Cares® Scholarship Program (USA)
The Kohl's Cares® Scholarship Program ($10,000 scholarship) recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) who help make their communities a better place to live. Due March 15th. (Ages 6-18 and not yet graduated from high school). Visit the website for more info.
CALENDAR
With my new adventures teaching the kids at home, I haven't posted to my OC outdoor family calendar as often I'd like. However, you'll find links to all the sources on the calendar page. Take some time to update your own personal calendar this weekend. Here are some quick highlights:
KIDS’ FISHING DERBY AT MILE SQUARE REGIONAL PARK ⅗
OC Parks and California Department of Fish and Game present the anticipated annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at the North Lake at Mile Square Regional Park on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Kids ages 15 and under fish for free at the Fishing Derby and compete to win multiple prizes for finalists and winners in different age groups. Phil Friedman of KLAA AM380’s Fish Talk Radio will play host of the festivities. Registration is from 7 to 8:30 a.m. with the Derby starting promptly at 9 a.m. Fishing clinics will be conducted on-site by California Department of Fish and Game, courtesy of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. A limited quantity of fishing rods will be available for loan. Complimentary barbecue lunch will be served to all who attend. Join OC Parks for a fun-filled day of fishing at Mile Square Regional Park!
Kids’ Fishing Derby
Date: Saturday, March 5, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Derby Registration: 7 – 8:30 a.m.
Location: Mile Square Regional Park
Address: 16801 Euclid, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Website: http://www.ocparks.com/milesquare/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Public Contact: (714) 973-6600 or (714) 973-3197
March 19th - Nature at Night Hike from Inside the Outdoors at Rancho Sonado
March 26th - Spring Story Walk at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach
Let's G.O.! for the ENTIRE MONTH OF APRIL 2011
Let's G.O.! is a great program, by the Children & Nature Network who partners with Nature Rocks, and supports their mission to get kids outside and love nature. It is a youth-inspired, youth-led initiative to rally people of all ages to Play, Serve, and Celebrate. The goal is to bring together intergenerational groups of people to get outside together to be active, have fun and connect with nature. You can find more additional information on C&NN's homepage; it links you to the downloadable toolkit for participation and finding events. I'm thinking of opening up our April Nature Play Club outing to all you blog readers -- if there's any interest. Please comment or send an e-mail if you want to get outdoors with us on Saturday, April 9th.
Picnic for the Planet (The Nature Conservancy) - Earth Day
Get your mom group, homeschool group, and family to start thinking about making picnic plans for Earth Day (April 22nd). Picnic for the Planet will be a celebration of the planet we live on, the food it provides and the people we share it with. In short, the planet does a lot for us — we should take it out for lunch. On and around Earth Day 2011 (April 22), people all around the world will be stepping outside and heading to their favorite outdoor spot to enjoy good food in the company of great people -- and sharing their experiences through social media. Picnic for the Planet is intended to be a global celebration. Organizing a picnic is as simple as choosing a location and committing to show up. The experience should be fun and as easy as possible for all involved. The picnics do not need to be formal events, so they can be as simple (or as complex) as each organizer wants. I'll keep you updated as more information becomes available from The Nature Conservancy.
*Disclosure: I'm a volunteer Nature Rocks Ambassador so I can help spread the word about connecting kids with nature. Read my full disclosure policy.
