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ECHO BLUFF

Fun for kids all summer long

Also:

n Places in the Illinois Valley for nature appreciation

n A teacher shares tips for school success

n Veggie recipes kids will eat

ILLINOIS VALLEY

Summer is a prime opportunity to see blooming plants and flowers, like this sunflower, at Matthiessen.

A Breath of Fresh Air Teaching your kids to appreciate nature

Summer is here, which means it is time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery the Illinois Valley has to offer. This season is the perfect time for your children to explore different places to learn about nature.

Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park, I&M Canal, Putnam County Conservation District, and Alexander Park are just a few places your kids can enjoy while on summer break.

STARVED ROCK STATE PARK

With miles of hiking trails and seasonal waterfalls, Starved Rock is one of the Illinois Valley’s most treasured nature stops. Before hiking, you may want to consider stopping at the Visitor’s Center. Here, your kids can learn about the history of Starved Rock, along with facts about the geology and ecology of the

See NATURE page 4

PHOTO BY SCOTT ANDERSON

Story by Courtney Jonsson

Background: Along the trails of Starved Rock State Park, your child might discover a deep love of nature that they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

FROM PAGE 3

park. The Visitor’s Center features a movie theater that will help your children learn more about the park. Pick up your trail map, and you’ll be all set.

Starved Rock offers guided hikes and special events for people of all ages.

canal is through bike riding.

“We love to bring the kids out here to ride their bikes. It is a safe place for them to ride and teaches them how to ride with many distractions and some obstacles,” Jared Bennett, a father of two girls, said.

Adult bike rental is available in Utica and LaSalle. As you walk along the canal, there are steel silhouettes that tell the stories of people who were prominent figures in the building of the canal.

PUTNAM COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Grab your binoculars, magnifying glass, and bug net. Putnam County Conservation District, located in Hennepin, has five parcels of land and water that the public can enjoy.

Catch and release bugs, bird watch, or examine different species of plants. All of this can be done in the natural lands.

MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK

As the sister park of Starved Rock, Matthiessen is an excellent place to have your next outing with your children. Gazing at the beautiful rock formations within the park is one of the many draws of this slice of land. The hiking trails take you through the main canyon, which includes the Upper Dells and Lower Dells. The canyon features a waterfall and a small pond at the bottom.

Bring a list of plants and animals you’d like to spot along your hike, as the wildlife and foliage are abundant. Your children will spot deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and birds as they trek along the path.

As you come into the park, you’ll notice bathrooms, a picnic shelter, and a fort. The fort is open to the public, so your kids can explore it. With a large picnic area at the entrance of the park, packing a lunch and some lawn games to enjoy is an excellent way to spend time in the park.

I&M CANAL

The Illinois and Michigan Canal is the pathway from the Illinois River to Lake Michigan.

Many communities along the canal credit their growth to it. Spanning from Chicago to La Salle, there are many ways to enjoy the canal. One of the most popular is to spend time on the canal taking a boat tour. Children can take the tour at a discounted or free rate, depending upon their age.

Another way to become familiar with the

One main attraction to the district is tent camping. For a small fee, your family can experience primitive camping. Private cabins are available to rent, as well. You can teach your children how to fish in one of the bodies of water, allow them to ride their bikes throughout the park, or take them exploring on trails. Day trips are a great option, too, as the district has multiple picnic areas.

ALEXANDER PARK

Interested in playing basketball, tennis, volleyball, or Marco Polo? All of that and more can be done at Alexander Park in Princeton. Operated by the Princeton Park District, Alexander Park is a great way to spend time in the sun. The 12-acre park includes picnic areas, playground equipment, and a disc golf course.

“When I am watching the kids for my daughter, I’ll pack them a lunch and we all come down to the park to spend the day together. There is so much here that each of them stays entertained,” Diane Jacobs, a grandmother, said.

The main draw of the park is the community pool, which is always a big hit with families. Reserve a park shelter, and bring the whole family to enjoy the amenities the park has to offer.

FIND YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE SPOT

The Illinois Valley has so many natural areas for the public to enjoy. There are activities for all ages no matter which of these places you choose. Each location has designated picnic areas, so packing a lunch is encouraged. Whether you’re riding your bike down I&M Canal or taking in the rugged beauty at Starved Rock State Park, there are many gorgeous and fun options for you to spend summer outside with your kids.

PHOTO BY SCOTT ANDERSON

Kids are usually intrigued by waterfalls, but you don’t have to book a costly vacation to show them one. This waterfall at Matthiessen is sure to attract your kids’ attention.

PHOTO BY SCOTT ANDERSON

A Hidden Gem

Echo Bluff provides activity and fun for children all summer

When school is out for the summer, parents can feel the pressure to keep their children from becoming too bored or sitting in the house all day looking at screens.

Echo Bluff, a park that offers a great mix of activities and summer camp options for children, gives parents an excellent opportunity to bust summer boredom and make sure children get some exercise.

Park manager/camp director Samantha Brown tries to keep the experience fresh for children who come to Echo Bluff each summer.

“This is my tenth summer camp,” she said. “Every year I add something. This year is 9 square.”

Those who aren’t signed up for summer camp can still get in on the fun at Echo Bluff.

They offer hiking, disc golf, archery, paintball, a challenge course and zipline, and other activities. The summer and winter camps accommodate children from 3 to 13 years old.

Echo Bluff had a rich, varied history before becoming a hidden gem in the Illinois Valley for nature enthusiasts, parents looking for children’s programs, and adventurists seeking outdoor activities.

Located on the grounds of a former mining town called Loceyville, which was founded in 1877, the name of the site was later changed to Marquette. It was part of a big mine camp, with stores, a school, and taverns. The population swelled to 2,000 during the height of popularity for the town.

Once the mines failed, things weren’t as rosy at Marquette. People began moving

Story and Photos by Shannon Serpette

Abby Weber, a member of the activities staff, waits in a tree swing for the next group of summer campers to arrive at the archery station at Echo Bluff.

away, and a fire that was suspicious in origin destroyed many of the buildings. Eventually, in 1916, the residents decided to dissolve the village government.

The schoolhouse continued to serve as a hub of activity at the park – it’s the main building visitors see as they pull into the Echo Bluff driveway and parking lot in Hall Township, off Route 29 between DePue and Spring Valley. The schoolhouse contains Brown’s office and activity spaces for the kids who participate in day camps.

Children have been a huge part of Echo

The Enrichment Center of the Illinois Valley

Bluff’s past and continue to be one of the camp’s focuses. After it was no longer used as a mining camp, the site was given new life in 1953 when the Girls Scouts were granted use of the land. Trails were made, and camping areas were created. Once the land stopped being used for Girl Scouts, Hometown Bank, the trust who was handling it, offered it to area communities or townships that wanted to use it for youth programs. Hall Township stepped up to the plate.

Meta Brown (left) and Mason Ross (second from left) share an archery station at Echo Bluff as they take turns shooting at a target.

Echo

FROM PAGE 7

A few of Echo Bluff’s programs, such as hiking, picnic areas, and disc golf, are free to the community. Other activities require fees but fulfill a need in the area because not many other venues offer these particular recreational programs. The variety and uniqueness of options have led to children and adults learning new skills and finding activities that keep them active and interested.

Brown likes seeing children using the camp to spend time in nature and having bonding moments with friends and family.

“Parents can have birthday parties for their children,” she said, adding that parents should contact Echo Bluff first to see if the date would work.

Some kids do more than just attend summer camp at Echo Bluff – they decide to work there too. Teenagers or young adults who need a summer job or experience on their college applications or résumés can find positions there.

Abby Weber of LaMoille began working at Echo Bluff as a member of the activities staff for the summer season this year.

“I love working here. I wish I worked here years ago,” she said.

An Echo Bluff staff member and campers play a game of human foosball.

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A Teacher’s Perspective

Top 10 Tips for Helping Your Child Do Well in School

By Summer Traver

2

READ TO YOUR CHILD OFTEN

Are you looking for ways to help your child become a great student and a good person? Here are 10 rules, not in any particular order of importance, that can help guide you as your child goes through school. 1

It’s important to have books at home for you to read to your child and for your child to read. Reading with your child can be as simple as reading a story before bed or even while waiting for a doctor’s appointment. Sometimes your child will get a favorite book and will have it memorized and read it with you. They may not actually know how to read yet, but they are making connections with the pictures and seeing the same words repeatedly.

I know most kids have devices and that YouTube is popular. There are awesome read-alouds available through YouTube that can be used while traveling to daycare or even on vacation, so reading can still take place. A lot of the read-alouds have the words highlighted as the story is being read.

TEACH POSITIVE THINKING

I have found I get more out of my students in a positive-thinking environment. Your brain grows when mistakes happen. It is important to turn disappointment into a positive experience. By using problem-solving skills, a negative can be changed into a positive. It also trains the brain to think about what went wrong. As we all know, no one is perfect, and I will make mistakes in front of students to model how to learn from them. An example is a math problem gone wrong. Have your child find the mistake and explain how they corrected it. I was raised not to use the word “can’t” because “can’t” never did anything. I use this with my students, and they love it!

3

GIVE YOUR CHILD RESPONSIBILITIES

Having expectations in place can help your child learn responsibility. Begin when they are young and make them accountable. By beginning early, this helps them at school when they have responsibilities like completing homework and turning it in at school.

4 ATTEND PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a home-to-school connection. An easy way to establish this connection is by participating in parent-teacher conferences or requesting one when needed. They are highly attended in elementary school, but many do not participate as their child gets older. When you attend conferences yearly, you let your child know you are invested in their education, and the school knows you are involved. Many schools offer different methods for conferences like in-person, Google Meets, phone, and more.

5 HAVE YOUR CHILD INVOLVED IN SOME EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Extracurricular activities do not just include sports but clubs like scholastic teams and FFA as well. Extracurricular activities can help your child build confidence, learn teamwork, make new friendships, and so much more. You can

Tips

FROM PAGE 11

meet new people as well.

I would also like to point out it is great to introduce your child to new experiences, but if they do not like it after the first season, I do not recommend continuing to push it. Who likes to drag a child to an event when there is no enjoyment? It could also put a bit of a strain on your relationship with your child.

In junior high and high school, students must keep their grades up to be able to participate in many extracurriculars. This motivates many students to do well in school in order to participate.

6 ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY TIME

There are many different family situations in which children live, and it can be very challenging to find family time. I encourage you to choose one night to play board games or card

games. It is amazing how many kids do not know how to play games like Checkers, Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, and many more. How are these games going to help your child be a good student? First of all, they will need to follow directions and pay attention. They will also need to learn to recall how to play the game and can help teach others how to play.

7

SET A ROUTINE AFTER SCHOOL

I cannot tell you what routine will work for you because all schedules are different. I recommend completing homework after a quick snack after school, whether it is at daycare or home. If they complete their homework at daycare, you can always be involved with your child’s schoolwork by looking it over when you both get home. You also may want your child to pack up their bag the night before because it will be less hectic than it would be in

the morning.

8 KNOW WHAT YOUR CHILD IS DOING AT SCHOOL

Technology is amazing these days. Schools use Google Classroom, TeacherEase, SeeSaw, Skyward, and other sources for student/parent communication. I recommend adding whatever app your school district uses to your phone. Many of these apps allow you to see your child’s homework assignments, grades, and happenings in the classroom, like behavior logs or pictures. This is just another form of parent-student-teacher connection that is helpful in your child’s education.

9 DO NOT FEEL GUILTY FOR MISSING OCCASIONAL EVENTS

Parents have jobs, and they sometimes interfere with us attending our children’s events. Since I was a teacher, I missed many classroom parties and field trips, and what I discovered was that

it was okay. Is it hard to tell your child you will not be there? You bet! However, my children would come home and tell me everything that happened that day. If you can’t be there, set aside some extra time to talk about your child’s big day with them.

10

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN

I really think this is important because no one is always right next to their child at all times. You want your child to make good decisions. When they are at school, you want them to show empathy towards others. It is also important to remind your child to make good choices, stand up for their values, and be a role model for others. You can encourage that with your words and your actions.

Summer Traver has been a teacher for more than 25 years. She also tutors students and gives advice to parents on how to be involved in their child’s education.

Vegging Out

Child-friendly Veggie Recipes

By Shannon Serpette

If you’re a parent, you are likely well acquainted with the struggle of trying to get your child to embrace healthy eating. It can be difficult to convince a child they’d rather have a carrot than a cookie. But since vegetables contain so many essential vitamins and nutrients, it’s a battle worth fighting. These child-friendly veggie recipes will help ensure your child is getting the proper nutrition for their growth and development.

Chicken & Dumplings

Editor’s note: This recipe is a crowd-pleaser – everyone who has ever tried it at my house has asked for the recipe. Children love it, even though it contains carrots, celery, and onions.

INGREDIENTS

1 large pack of bone-in chicken thighs, around six or seven pounds

2 celery ribs, sliced

1 pound baby carrots, sliced

1 medium onion, diced

One 14-and-1/2 ounce can of chicken broth

2 tablespoons dried parsley

3 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 to 1 teaspoons pepper

Water

Ingredients For Dumplings

2 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup milk

4 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Place chicken, celery, carrots, onion, chicken broth, parsley, chicken bouillon granules, salt, and pepper in a large pan. Add enough water to cover the chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover,

and simmer for two hours or until the chicken is done.

Remove the chicken and let it stand until cool enough to handle. Remove the skin from the chicken and tear the meat away from the bones. Return the meat to the soup, discarding the skin and bones. Return the soup to a simmer.

In a mixing bowl, combine dumpling ingredients and mix well to form a stiff dough. Drop by tablespoonfuls into the simmering soup. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve immediately. If you prefer a thick soup, you can double the quantity of dumplings.

Fruit-Veggie Smoothie

Editor’s note: Smoothies allow you to sneak in a lot of fruits and veggies all at once. The sweetness of the fruit will mask the taste of spinach in this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup milk or almond milk

1 small banana, frozen

1/2 cup fresh or frozen fruit, such as apples, strawberries, or blueberries

1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves

DIRECTIONS

Add ingredients to a blender. Blend until very smooth and serve immediately.

Cheesy Corn

INGREDIENTS

9 and 1/2 cups frozen corn

11 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, cubed

3 tablespoons water

Zucchini Bread

INGREDIENTS

3 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 cups grated zucchini

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Maple Glazed Carrots

INGREDIENTS

One and 1/2 pound baby carrots

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup maple syrup

Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Put carrots in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

Stir together the flour, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add in the eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini, and vanilla. Pour into two large greased loaf pans and bake at 325 degrees for one hour.

3 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons sugar

6 slices American cheese, cut into pieces

DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for about three to four hours, until heated through and the cheese is melted.

Mashed Cauliflower

INGREDIENTS

2 heads of cauliflower, weighing about four pounds before trimming

DIRECTIONS

until tender. Drain and transfer the carrots to a serving bowl. Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Stir the maple syrup into the butter and cook for one to two minutes. Pour over carrots, toss to coat, and season with salt and pepper.

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons softened butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped chives

Cut the cauliflower heads down into florets and steam or boil for ten minutes until tender. Let the cauliflower drain and cool before squeezing in a kitchen towel to remove most of the water.

Puree the cauliflower in a food processor with everything but the chives for a minute or two until smooth. Mix in the chives and serve.