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Diane Schwartz

From warming hut to Prairie-style palace: Tenney Park Shelter

Personal Reflections, Winter Activities /

Story and photos by Diane Schwartz on Thursday 01/26/2012, Isthmus Newspaper  The Tenney Park lagoon is frequently called Madison’s prettiest place to skate. Shaped like an uneven horseshoe, surrounded by trees and crossed by graceful arched bridges, it’s a setting reminiscent of a Currier and Ives painting. But until recently, the warming shelter was a dark and […]

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All eyes on the eagles: Eagle Days 2012

1 Comment / Environmental History, Trips, Winter Activities, Working with Minority Children /

Now one of the longest-running events of its kind in the state, Sauk Prairie’s Bald Eagle Watching Days began life as a token of thanks from the state to eagle-deprived volunteers. Randy Jurewicz, a retired biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, helped organize the first official Eagle Watching Days in Sauk Prairie 25

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“Quit while they’re still kicking” or when to know it’s time to leave

2 Comments / Outdoor Classroom Management, Winter Activities, Working with Parents /

One of the best pieces of teaching advice I ever got was “Quit while they’re still kicking.” At first, I didn’t get it. Why quit if the kids are still having fun? Turns out, there’s an art to knowing when to end an activity. Here’s a case in point. I went skating on Monday with my

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There ought to be a law: Wisconsin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside, Outdoor Legislation /

This may seem like a no brainer, but in today’s world of competing interests and childhood obesity we can no longer assume that kids are getting outside. Come to a public hearing on January 5th from 10 am to 2 pm at the State Capitol to promote the Wisconsin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. Meet the bill’s

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Kids learn to enjoy winter at Indian Lake County Park

2 Comments / Trips, Winter Activities, Working with Low Income Children, Working with Minority Children, Working with Parents /

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

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Carrot Juice vs Chips: Bike for Life explores the options

Bicycling, No child left inside, Trips, Working with Low Income Children, Working with Minority Children /

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

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