Family Nature Clubs

Want to get out in to nature more often? Want your children to explore and discover the natural world? Want to spend time with your children in nature but aren't sure how, where, or what to do when you get there? Why not get together with others who'd like to do the same?

Consider joining Families Exploring Nature (FEN), an initiative of the Greater Baltimore Children and Nature Collaborative and partner of the Parks & People Foundation.

Each month, local FEN groups gather during the fourth weekend of the month for an unstructured outing focused on family nature fun.

Each month's family-organized outing is planned and hosted by a FEN family. This family decides when on the weekend the outing will take place (i.e., Friday evening, anytime on Saturday, or anytime on Sunday). The family is responsible for deciding the place and time, and posting it to the FEN calendar, including directions/map, parking details, etc. After families gather, the group enjoys unstructured nature exploration.

The second monthly outing is more structured and will be organized by a local nature center or nature organization or guided by a mentor naturalist. These organizations may be members of the Greater Baltimore Children and Nature Collaborative. These outings are scheduled to fit the calendars of our hosts and guides, and can happen at any time during the month.

Basic Guidelines and Principles
Every parent, by bringing his or her own child(ren) on a FEN adventure, is responsible for the safety of her or his own  child(ren).

Come as you and your family can. We know our families' schedules are full and often unpredictable. RSVP to FEN events via our calendar and Meet Up site when possible, but please join an outing spontaneously if the opportunity arises.

FEN seeks to build communities of families. To this end we hope that we parents will learn from one another, take turns sharing leadership, and that we will engage in the exploration of nature alongside our children.
 
FEN encourages each family to seek a balance of safety and risk on FEN adventures. Perhaps today is the day to cross a stream by balancing on a log; perhaps it is not. Find your own answer to the question and help your kids to find theirs.

For more information on FEN, please visit their website, email Mike Dorsey at the Parks & People Foundation or email Linda Davis at the Natural History Society of MD or call (410) 448-5663 ext. 124.