Getting Outdoors!
Get Hiking: Kiddie Hike in Aiken By City of Aiken Parks, Recreation & Tourism The City of Aiken PRT Department recently implemented a new program to engage children and their families with the natural world. “Get Hiking: Kiddie Hike” focuses on ages 3-8 years old, giving children an early opportunity to enjoy nature and to spark interest and curiosity in their local environment. The hope is that these experiences at an early age excite a new generation to grow up with an eco-friendly attitude, which is cited by many to improve mental health, physical wellbeing, and self-regulation in children of varying abilities. Kiddie Hike is a combination of several recreational opportunities wrapped into one. The outing includes a half mile nature walk along the Carolina Bay Nature Preserve. While walking, kids and families are engaged in looking for plants and wildlife that inhabit the woods. Feathered friends, like Great Egrets, Blue Herons, and Red-Tailed Hawks are constant fixtures around the preserve, along with turtles and frogs that line the banks. Kids walk among shortleaf pines as they make their way to their next adventure. When the nature walk is complete, kids get their hands dirty with a nature-based craft, such as the peanut butter bird feeders that were made in October and the turkey hand puppets in November. After the craft, everyone gathers safely around for story time under the nature observatory deck. Literature
14 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org
is age-appropriate and focuses on animals, plants, and environmental topics. “The program took a short break for the winter months, but it will be back this spring. In the future we hope to have special guests and community partnerships as a part of the program,” says Curry Hall, Recreation Coordinator.
