All this week we have been encouraging our readers to experience the great outdoors.  And I can hear your question now.. “But Hens – what can we do on stormy days?”  Yes, I know exactly what you mean… those days when it’s fun to stay inside and just enjoy time with each other.  This summer, our family discovered a board game that’s multi-generational, teaches about the great outdoors and best of all, it’s a lot of fun.  Are you ready to CAMP?  Read the rest of this post...

Do you remember Ranger Rick from your childhood?  Maybe your kids read the magazine now.  It’s the time-honored publication brought to you by the people at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).  The same people who are now bringing you a new “Be Out There” initiative to inspire families across America to open the door and get outside.  As part of the Five Hens special Wild Week, I want to encourage you to take part in the initiative and be out there too.

Guest post by Barbara Spagnuolo, Natural Resource Specialist for the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado

From large tracts of federally managed lands, such as National Forests, National Recreation Areas, National Parks and Wilderness Areas, to smaller pockets of open space areas managed by local municipalities, millions of acres of America have been set aside and protected from future development.  These lands possess natural, ecological, open space, scenic, historical, cultural, educational and/or recreational values of great importance to the American public.  Often, these lands which provide natural habitat for native plants and animals, are also the same lands where we go to hike, camp, bike, fish, hunt, explore or just observe nature, so wildlife encounters may occur.  However, while viewing wildlife can be exciting for you and your children, it is imperative to use caution, especially with bears, mountain lions (also known as panthers and pumas), coyotes and poisonous snakes. We can safely enjoy the outdoors, where the wild things are, if we remember a few important points.  Read the rest of this post...

The crisp cool air, changing foliage colors, and the smell of warm cider. Yes, autumn is certainly in the air. Today, the Painted Hen and I took our two boys on our autumn ritual in the Rocky Mountains. Every year at the beginning of October, the elk in the Rocky Mountains begin to rut. And that means they all come down to the low meadows to put on their annual mating display of crashing antlers and incredible bugling. It’s quite a show set against the amazing backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in their splendid fall foliage of glowing yellow aspens. To us, the ritual sort of signals the real beginning of autumn. The kids never tire of it and love to see the elk.  It’s usually on these trips that conversations turn to questions like “What should I be for Halloween?” It’s one of our favorite times of year, and I hope our boys remember these special times of year and our trips to the elk meadows as they grow older.  Read the rest of this post...