Get to Know Calendar

CONNECT. CREATE. CELEBRATE. “THE GET TO KNOW CONTEST PROVIDES A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH THE GET OUTDOORS, GET CREATIVE AND CONNECT WITH NATURE. THE CONNECTIONS THEY DEVELOP NOW WILL ENRICH THEIR LIVES AND INSPIRE THEM TO CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT FOR YEARS TO COME.”

A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF ARTWORK, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND WRITING CREATED BY AMERICAN YOUTH - FEATURING WINNING ENTRIES FROM THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 2013 GET TO KNOW CONTEST.

Nature Mandala

Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Group Upper Marlboro, MD

www.get-to-know.org

Nature, nature, so fine and pretty, Nature, nature, barely none in the city, Identified as mostly green.

We eat it to be more lean It helps us survive in this world Remember your nature boys and girls.

Lovely Nature

Tanita Speight, Age 11 Brandywine, MD

Friends with Trees

Armanie Abraham • Age 7 Brandywine, MD

January

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

7

Alonya’s Leaves

M

T

W

T

F

S

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

S

M

T

W

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F

S 1

10 11 12 13

2

3

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

28 29 30 31

23 24 25 26 27 28

4

5

6

7

WE D N E S D AY

1

FEBRUARY

DECEMBER S

T U E S DAY

T HU R S D AY

FR I D AY

S AT U R D AY

2

3

4

8

New Year’s Day

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

28

29

30

31

Alonya Comer Mason, Age 8 Capitol Heights, MD

National NonSmoking Week Starts

26

Martin Luther King Day

27 Family Literacy Day

Kansas Day

Chinese New Year

www.get-to-know.org

Nature everywhere Leaves, Birds and all the critters A Wonderful Hike

Nature

Wesley M. Thompson, Age 16 Upper Marlboro MD

Seat Pleasant Leaves Xavier Williams • Age 14 Capitol Heights, MD

February

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

T HU R S D AY

FR I D AY MARCH

JANUARY S

Nature’s Details

3

4

World Wetlands Day

Rosa Park’s Day (CA, OH)

Groundhog Day

World Cancer Day

9

10

11

T

W

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F

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1

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3

4

8

9

10 11

S

M

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2

3

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

26 27 28 29 30 31

23 24 30 31

5

2

M

S AT U R D AY

6

7

4

5

6

7

1

8

25 26 27 28 29

5

6

7

8

12

13

14

15

Willett Ade , Age 10 Bowie, MD

Great Backyard Bird Count Begins Chinese New Year

16

17

Valentine’s Day

Lincoln’s Birthday

18

19

20

21

25

26

27

28

22

President’s Day

23

24

www.get-to-know.org

Leaves, trees and bugs Make nature a wonderful site.

Water, roots, soil make nature blossom.

Nature

Kevin Norman, Age 16 Upper Marlboro MD

Turtle at Patuxant

Karla Delgado • Age 13 Upper Marlboro, MD

March

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

T HU R S D AY

FR I D AY

FEBRUARY S

M

T

W

T

APRIL F

S

S

M

1

2

3

4

Read Across America Day

White Flower

5

4

5

6

S AT U R D AY

7

W

T

F

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1

2

3

4

5

8

9

10 11 12

2

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9

10 11 12 13 14 15

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

23 24 25 26 27 28

27 28 29 30

6

8

T

6

7

7

1 8 International Women’s Day

Ash Wednesday

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Cianna Wallace, Age 8 Beltsville, MD

St. Patrick’s Day

Purim

23

24 30

First day of spring

25 31

26

27

World Water Day

28

29 Earth Hour 8:30pm - 9:30pm

www.get-to-know.org

You might think A bunch of plants In a way But to me Flowers are beautiful They calm me down Like my best friend Their scent is so nice.

Nature

Brandon Burroughs, Age 15 Temple Hills, MD

Rockledge Nature

Ahmad Staten • Age 8 Bowie, MD

April

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

MARCH S

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MAY F

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10 11 12 13 14 15

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

6

8

T 1

2

23 24 30 31

4

T U E S DAY

4

5

6

7

7

WE D N E S D AY

T HU R S D AY

2

3

4

5

8

9

10

11

12

15

16

17

18

19

1

FR I D AY

S AT U R D AY

April Fool’s Day

United Nations World Health Day

Grasses

Bianca Cruz, Age 6 Laurel, MD

13

14

Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday Palm Sunday

20 Easter Sunday

27

Good Friday

1st day of Passover

21 Easter Monday

28

22 Earth Day

29

23 Administrative Professionals Day

24

25

26

Arbor Day

30

Yom HaShoah

www.get-to-know.org

Green dashing forest Ready to spread Evergreen trees Everlasting beds Never dying but always changing Living on in nature Even in tiny craters All of these things.

Strange Appeal

Daniel Shand, Age 15 Temple Hills MD

Baden Bugs

Joshua Tidwell • Age 6 Brandywine, MD

May

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

APRIL S 6

4

5 Cinco de Mayo

Sky Hoops

11

12

M 7

JUNE

T

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1

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15 16 17 18 19 20 21

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

27 28 29 30

29 30

6

7

T HU R S D AY

1

FR I D AY

2

3

9

10

May Day Get To Know Contest Begins

8

International Migratory Bird Day

Yom HaAtzmaut

13

S AT U R D AY

14

15

16

17

Noah Woodley, Age 8 Beltsville, MD

Armed Forces Day Mother’s Day

18

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Wesak (Buddhist)

19

20

21

Lag B’Omer Emergency Medical Services for Children Day

International Museum Day

25

26

27

28

22

National Defense Transportation Day

23

National Maritime Day International Day for Biological Diversity

29

24 World Fish Migration Day

30

31

Memorial Day National Missing Children’s Day

Isra and Mi’raj (Muslim)

www.get-to-know.org

I like the adventure It was good I saw many things When we went in the woods It was fun Saw a lot of different shaped leaves Also saw many different trees.

Nature

Andrew Akintunde, Age 14 Upper Marlboro, MD

I Love Flowers

Miccelah Thomas and Aniyah Louis • Age 10 Upper Marlboro, MD

June

S U NDAY

1 8

World Oceans Day

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

3

2 9

WE D N E S D AY

10

T HU R S D AY

FR I D AY

4

5

6

Clean Air Day

World Environment Day

D-Day

11

12

13

S AT U R D AY

7 14

Rivers to Oceans Week begins Pentecost

Baden Day GTK Installation

15

Flag Day

16

17

18

19

20

21

Baden Community Brandywine, MD

First Day of Summer

Father’s Day

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 Ramadan (Muslim)

29

30

MAY S 4

M 5

T 6

W 7

JULY T

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M 7

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25 26 27 28 29 30 31

27 28 29 30 31

www.get-to-know.org

Honey Suckle Blooms Honey Suckle has honey Honey Suckle dies.

Honeysuckle Haiku

Nikiya Maliki Bevans, Age 13 Temple Hills, MD

Awesome Nature

Mohammed Fall • Age 11 Bowie, MD

July

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

JUNE S

M

1 8

T U E S DAY

AUGUST

T

W

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2

3

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5

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10 11 12 13 14

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15 16 17 18 19 20 21

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

29 30

24 25 31

6

1

WE D N E S D AY

2

T HU R S D AY

3

FR I D AY

4

S AT U R D AY

5

Independence Day

Canada Day

26 27 28 29 30

7

8

9

10

11

12

17

18

19

Nunavut Day

Sunny Day

13

14

15

16

Demi Bland, Age 9 Bowie, MD

Canada’s Parks Day

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Laylat al-Qadr (Muslim)

27 Parents Day

28

29

30

Eid al-Fitr (Muslim)

www.get-to-know.org

Nature is part of life The most beautiful thing in the world.

Nature

Cortni Burns, Age 12 Temple Hills, MD

Shira’s Baden Day Nature Shira Hertzberg • Age 6 Brandywine, MD

August

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

T HU R S D AY

JULY S 6

3

4

5

M 7

FR I D AY

SEPTEMBER

T

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4

5

8

9

10 11 12

S 7

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8

9

10 11 12 13

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

27 28 29 30 31

28 29 30

S AT U R D AY

1

2

6

7

8

9

13

14

15

16

Tisha B’Av

MD State Flower

10

11

12

Jenifer Rodriguez, Age 8 Beltsville, MD Assumption of Mary

International Youth Day

17

18

Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

20

National Aviation Day

25

24

19 26

21

22

23

29

26

Senior Citizens Day

27

28

31 www.get-to-know.org

Friends to skip through the field with, Leaves scattered around on the grass Open space to pick flowers, Everlasting petals, Robins stop to chirp and stare, Silence spreads as you stop to smell.

Flower

Laquisha Young, Age 13 Upper Marlboro MD

Nature’s Yellow Flower Nyla Jennings, Age 10 Beltsville, MD

September

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

1

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

2

T HU R S D AY

3

FR I D AY

4

5

6 Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day

Labor Day

7

8

9

10

11

Grandparents Day

It’s in your hands

14

15

16

17

18

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

22 National Forest Week begins

28

12

13

19

20

Patriot Day

Nicholas Taylor, Age 12 Bowie, MD

21

S AT U R D AY

29

23

National POW/ MIA Recognition Day

24

26

Rosh Hashanah Starts

First Day of Autumn

30

25

Rosh Hashanah Ends

AUGUST S 3

M 4

T 5

W 6

T 7

OCTOBER F

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S 5

M 6

T 7

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8

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10 11

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19 20 21 22 23 24 25

24 31

27

25 26 27 28 29 30

26 27 28 29 30 31

www.get-to-know.org

I walked in the woods All I saw was trees The flies and bees The poison ivy Thousands of green leaves That’s what I saw That’s what I see It was amazing It was beauty.

Trees and the Leaves Damion Jackson, Age 11 Brandywine, MD

Nature’s Textures

Laura Wallace • Age 9 Seat Pleasant, MD

October

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

SEPTEMBER

5

WE D N E S D AY

NOVEMBER

S

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1

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S

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9

10 11 12 13 14 15

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

29 30

23 30

6

4

5

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7

1

T HU R S D AY

2

FR I D AY

3

8

S AT U R D AY

4 Yom Kippur

Eid al-Adha (Islamic)

24 25 26 27 28 29

7

8

9

10

11

14

15

16

17

18

21

22

23

24

25

Child Health Day

Clean and Green - We Can Make It!

12

13

Aliyah Waterman, Age 12 Bowie, MD

Columbus Day

19

20

Diwali (Hindu)

26

27

28

29

30

31 Halloween

www.get-to-know.org

Beautiful butterflies flying by the tree, Orange, Blue, White and Green they are all pretty, Beautiful butterflies flying by the tree, Oh what a beauty.

Beautiful Butterflies

Tameima Hawkins, Age 10 Temple Hills, MD

Nature Mandala

Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Group Upper Marlboro, MD

November

S U NDAY

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

T HU R S D AY

FR I D AY

OCTOBER S 5

2

3

Nishir Taylor, Age 6 Forrestville, MD

9

10

Daylight Savings Time ends (except SK)

16

6

T 7

DECEMBER

W

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10 11

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19 20 21 22 23 24 25

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

26 27 28 29 30 31

28 29 30 31

1 Get To Know Contest Ends All Saints Day

5

6

7

8

12

13

14

15

19

20

21

22

Election Day

Diwali (Hindu)

Forrestville Leaves

4

M

S AT U R D AY

11 Veteran’s Day

17

18

World Fisheries Day

23 First Sunday of Advent

24 30

25

26

27

28

29

Thanksgiving

www.get-to-know.org

Amazing view Trees among many Underground are many bugs Refreshing breeze Ecosystems.

Nature

Ja’Nia Lewis, Age 11 Brandywine, MD

Life is in our Hands

Timothy Adams • Age 12 Bowie, MD

December

S U NDAY

7

M ONDAY

T U E S DAY

WE D N E S D AY

T HU R S D AY

FR I D AY

S AT U R D AY

1

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15

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25

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27

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

I’m Hungry

14

Donya Kasimcarew, Age 7 Lanham, MD Hanukkah Begins

21

22

23

First Day of Winter

28

24 Christmas Eve

29

30

31 New Year’s Eve

Kwanzaa begins

Christmas Day

NOVEMBER S

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www.get-to-know.org

2013

2014

JANUARY S 6

M 7

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2015

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7

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JUNE

9

24 25 26 27 28 29

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DECEMBER

S 8

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7

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www.get-to-know.org

get to know contest

About M-NCPPC, Department of Parks & Recreation

The Rotary Get to Know Contest is designed to foster a deeper understanding of wildlife and the environment by encouraging youth to get outdoors and share their experiences in nature through art, writing, photography, video or music.

Founded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a bi-County agency serving Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland, located just to the north and east of Washington, DC. The original purpose of the Commission, or M-NCPPC, was to practice “long-range planning and park acquisition and development.” Since its inception, however, the Commission’s responsibilities have expanded to include administration of Prince George’s County’s public recreation program.

The 2014 Rotary Get to Know Contest will once again be open to both Canadian and American youth and will take place from May 1st to November 1st, 2014. To learn more or find the launch event nearest you, go to www.get-to-know.org

A well-respected leader in the field, the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation provides quality recreation programs, facilities, and services for residents and visitors. The Commission operates and maintains more than 26,000 acres of parkland throughout the county, including land developed to provide parks, picnic areas, athletic fields, historic sites, community centers, and recreation facilities. In an effort to maintain the county’s natural beauty, a large percentage of the land has been left undeveloped to serve as buffers and to provide natural open spaces.

Educational Resources The Get to Know Educational Resources Page provides teachers and parents with cutting-edge lesson plans, videos and interactive activities designed to connect children with nature through the expressive arts.

Materials have been contributed by leading artists and educators including Robert Bateman, Wyland, Margaret Atwood and others. Our goal is to create North America’s strongest collection of art/nature education resources.

Discover these resources and contribute your own at: www.get-to-know.org/education

BioBlitz Get to Know BioBlitzes promote diversity through citizen science and art-based activities. Youth are invited to celebrate biodiversity through hands-on activities like species identification, biodiversity mapping, nature photography and sketching, pond studies, bird watching and interpretive hiking. BioBlitz events provide youth who are passionate about nature with an opportunity to learn from their peers, as well as mentor others on connecting with nature through the expressive arts. Learn more at www.get-to-know.org/bioblitz/

With cooperation and input from diverse communities throughout Prince George’s County, the Department operates a comprehensive park and recreation system that offers programs and facilities designed to meet the needs and interests of patrons of all ages. Outdoor festivals, live performances, trips, self-improvement classes, teen and senior activities, summer camps, fitness and sports programs, art and nature programs, and more than 40 miles of hiker/ biker/equestrian trails are just a few of the recreational amenities offered.

A skilled and qualified workforce of community recreation specialists, park planners, naturalists, park police, support staff, and many others helps the Department provide quality services to the residents of Prince George’s County.

Learn more about the Department of Parks and Recreation by visiting www.pgparks.com

maryland state arts council Arts programs of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation are supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

www.get-to-know.org

The Get to Know Program has been inspiring connections between youth and nature for over a decade. Robert Bateman, celebrated Canadian wildlife artist, and Mary Krupa-Clark launched the program in the province of British Columbia in 2000.

Today, the program works with diverse partners across the U.S. and Canada to deliver innovative initiatives that educate, inspire, and empower the next generation to care for the planet.

“In today’s increasingly wired-disconnected-concrete world, it’s easy to forget one basic fact: kids are superb and natural little outdoors people. Our job is easy: just open the door. Their imagination and enthusiasm will do the rest. I unreservedly encourage you to explore the Get to Know program; every one of these initiatives is aimed at building skills and connections to nature that will last a lifetime.”

Bruce Kirkby, Author and Photographer

photo credit: Chris Ferguson

“Once young people have a passion for the environment in their art, it will stay with them forever. If we can get art and nature into the minds of young people, they can change the world.”

Wyland, Artist of the Sea photo credit: Andrew Klaver

“The Get to Know Contest provides a great opportunity for youth to get outdoors, get creative, and connect with nature. The connections they develop now will enrich their lives and inspire them to care for the environment for years to come. I am thrilled to be a part of the Get to Know team.”

Les Stroud, Filmmaker, Outdoor Adventurer photo credit: Laura Bombier

A big thank you goes out to all the youth who participated in this year’s Rotary Get To Know Contest. The artwork and creativity has been fantastic.

The Get To Know team looks forward to seeing your entries in next year’s contest and hopes you have used this opportunity to become more familiar with the nature that surrounds us everyday.

This calendar features winning art, writing and photography entries created by American youth who were inspired by nature during the 2013 Get to Know Contest.

Learn more about Get to Know and the 2013 Get to Know Contest at www.get-to-know.org

We would also like to extend a thank you to Rotary for being such great supporters of the Get To Know Program. It is wonderful to know that so many people care about youth and helping them “Get to Know” nature and their wild neighbors.

Mary Krupa-Clark Director of the Get To Know Program

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