Weekly Challenge: Nature Exploration

There are so many ways to explore as you spend time outdoors.  I have always loved the sea, the woods, the mountains, . . . . , and summer is a perfect time to breathe deep and soak them in.  When I was in fourth grade, I used to roam the woods with a wildflower field guide like this one.

Now there are so many cool apps you can take along on your phone!  Has your family tried any?

During one of my early morning swims at Highland Lake, I got out my Merlin app, and it identified two pages of birds singing in under a minute of recording that day, these plus common loon, wood duck, American goldfinch, gray catbird, and pine warbler.  I never would have been able to identify all of those just by ear.  Using Merlin has helped me learn the calls of many more birds this summer.

So . . . . this week’s challenge is to do some nature exploring and find out something new to you.  Maybe try an old-fashioned rock field guide, an online plant identifier, taking a walk with a NH/VT expert you know, or . . . . Share your discovery in the comments, or have your parents e-mail me anything you’d like me to post.  Happy NH/VT exploring!

 

Weekly Challenge: Kindess Opportunities

In the summer, our blog has different sorts of articles than during the school year, things that help you keep up with each other, and things that help you keep growing to love learning more and more.  Here is some good news, plus a challenge some of you may wish to consider.

The internet is full of unusual things, and one of the oddly satisfying people I follow on social media is this lawn mower guy, Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service, who encourages kids to mow fifty lawns (or shovel 50 driveways, or rake 50 lawns) for free.  He gets them started with ear protection, eye protection, and a special t-shirt.  The young people scout around their town for elderly folks, those who are disabled, veterans, single moms, or others who may need a hand with their yard work, and they mow their lawn for them.  He recently chose one pair of young men in Alabama to surprise with equipment for their lawn mowing business after they fulfilled the kindness challenge.  I love good news like this, don’t you?  There is information in the article for what to do if you want to take on his proposal.

“The Lawnmower Man” Gives Kids Equipment to Start Business

Raising Men & Women Website

If lawn mowing isn’t your thing, what ideas do you have to help others in the name of Christ?  This week’s blogging challenge is to find a kindness opportunity, do it, and then share it with us in some way.

Weekly Challenge: Funny Photo Where You Are

I hope you are adventuring with your family, whether by traveling in your mind with great books or traveling with your feet through our beautiful world.

This week’s blog challenge is to come up with a fun photo to share using your surroundings.  Here are some examples, but your creativity may come up with a lot of different ways to do this.

From Mrs. Brown’s Boston Freedom Trail trip yesterday:

Some statue fun (Robert Frost and me, Boston statues and Gloriana):

What will YOU come up with?!

 

NH/VT Studies Summer Challenges

Here are two really fascinating state studies opportunities, one for NH kids and one for VT.  They both have aspects your whole family might enjoy as you adventure together.  Have fun!  If you take on your state’s challenge, keep us updated for the summer blog news, okay?
***The Vermont Good Citizen Challenge:
–“This summer’s Good Citizen Challenge asks participants to learn about their communities — and current events — and find ways to lend a hand.”  In addition to a chance to win special prizes,  “all who finish the Challenge will receive a Good Citizen sticker and patch, a pocket-size U.S. Constitution, and an invitation to a VIP reception at the Vermont Statehouse this fall.”

***The NH 603 200th Anniversary State History Scavenger Hunt:
–Starts July 1st.
–“The 603 History Hunt is a statewide scavenger hunt for the State of New Hampshire.  The 603 History Hunt presents players with a series of challenges. There are dozens of challenges players can choose. Some can be completed from just about anywhere in the state, while others are tied to a specific region or location within New Hampshire. Challenges may ask players to complete a variety of tasks, such as film a video, take a photograph, answer a trivia question, or scan a QR code. A point value is attached to each challenge. Players choose which challenges to complete and how many challenges they want to undertake, and they earn points accordingly.  Prizes are awarded based on points earned.”