I’ve been a little lax about posting lately. It is just that I am having so much fun this summer. I’ll be back to my old posting shenanigans soon—at least my mid-fall

Trail report

If you don’t have a stick, but you have all day—this activity is for you. You can use the sun and a stick to make a compass of sorts.

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Trail report

Making a compass is a fun way to learn how the direction-finding gadget really works. You won’t want to carry this on a hike, but it is fun to play around with in the backyard or at a campsite.

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Like most things in my life, I feel like this blog could use a little organization. Fortunately, I love organizing. My mom tells tales of how as a baby I’d open the Tupperware cabinet, pull out all the containers and then put them back in neater order than she had them.

Despite my best efforts, my life with little ones is in constant need of clearing out, cleaning up and figuring out what goes where. At least once I get this blog straightened away no can mess it up except me. (That’s not to say that every post will be in the following format, but most will.)

Without further ado, I introduce to you my new format! I stole it from my guidebook to cross-country ski trails. Sneaky, huh?

Make the perfect snowball

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Your Wild Child is so lucky to have guest poster Norseman with us today. Norseman is an outdoor educator and natural resource manager in Northeast Iowa. He teaches bushcraft/woodcraft skills to people of all ages and walks of life. On his website, Midwest Bushcraft, he writes about the act of participating in nature, not simply passing through it.

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This month my column in Montana Parent is about cutting your own Christmas tree (or holiday tree, winter solstice tree or whatever you prefer).

You can read the whole article here, but I'll give you a few highlights.

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Children and Nature Network has a new toolkit to help families form nature clubs.

What is a nature club?
Nature clubs are beginning to form around the country. They go by different names, and slightly different forms, but they all offer free, low-cost, fun family-oriented activities – ones that help kids (and adults) become happier, healthier and even smarter.

These clubs schedule hikes, clean-up parks and rivers, plan adventures and learn new skills.

Check out the toolkit to form your own nature club.

Are any of you in nature clubs? What does your club do?

Our family went cross-country skiing in Yellowstone last weekend. As we kicked and glided around the Upper Terraces at Mammoth, the thermometer reported 0 F.

The cold didn't bother my husband and I, nor our friends, we were moving and keeping warm. But, our little boys were along for the ride and not generating any heat of their own. In order to keep them comfortable on cold days we take a number of steps.

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