Cincinnati Parks Nature Next Door

Nature Next Door believes that youngsters benefit by a knowledge and appreciation of nature – its energy and complexity broaden minds and nourish curiosity. The beauty of Nature Next Door is that it guides children to find this inspiration right in their own neighborhoods. While our park system has 5 fully-equipped and staffed nature centers with year-round camps and activities, many children cannot get to those nature centers due to lack of funds or proximity. Now in its 14th year, the Nature Next Door Program runs for 9 weeks in the summer and brings fun and environmental experiences to over 3,600 at-risk inner city youth. These free day-camps take place at city parks in neighborhoods such as Mt. Auburn, Price Hill, Bond Hill / Roselawn, Avondale, and the West End. Each Friday, we will visit a different neighborhood to bring nature education to more children. Proposed neighborhoods for “traveling Fridays” include Evanston, Walnut Hills, Fairmont, Northside and Downtown. The program will again bring nature education to inner city children through an engaging format of games, stories, crafts, and hikes. Each week’s menu of activities is organized around a different theme. The basic menu of activities for each week can be completed in about 90 minutes; this is the program used with participating groups. For drop-in children, there are additional crafts and games, books and art materials sufficient to keep them occupied should they choose to hang out for the entir

by: Alicia Krall