No snow, No snow, No Snow, Christmas, No snow, New Years, No Snow, January 3, 2012…..SNOW!!!! This year Ohio hasn’t seen much snow and its already the first week in January!!! Are any of you missing your snow??? I know I am!

The 2010 Focus On Forever was another successful event. Thanks to Rich Wissink, Cheryl Riley, Janine Kohn, Liz Roxberry, and Mike Parker for putting this event on. Thanks to all the presenters who did a great job and taught us all new ways to get kids in the outdoors. If you have anyone in your chapter that went be sure to ask them what they learned over the weekend.

Hey Everyone,

I just got back from a week at camp. It was so much fun to be in the outdoors the whole week. The only bad part was it was freezing the whole week so we couldn’t go swimming, but wait that didn’t stop us. The coldest day we were there we ended up having a mud pit. It was a complete blast. Even having to rinse on the the chilling water was fun. We also went on hikes and had scavenger hunts in the woods. I encourage you all to get outside with your friends and think up something fun to do.

Easter is fast approaching. It is coming up this Sunday. I have a goal for all of you this weekend. Instead of sitting inside with you family watching tv, why don’t you take them outside and play your favorite game. The possiblities are endless, you could play catch with a cousin, go to the park with your aunt and uncle, you could sidewalk chalk with your brothers and sisters. Just find something to do under the sun. Take some fun pictures and share them with your friends at school and also your uplandtale friends. I would love to see what kind of fun ideas you guys came up with your families on Easter!!

Happy Easter!!!

If I were a photographer, I would travel the world taking pictures of all the wonderful sites in Nature. Head outside and see what your “camera” captures!

For this one you’ll need a friend, buddy, parent or sibling.
Materials: Nothing just you and your buddy
Time: About ten minuets
Directions: Ok, here’s what you do. Head outside to a grassy area such as a field or school ground. You are going to act as a photographer on a safari and your partner will act as your camera. Once you get to an area have your partner close his or her eyes. You then lead them to a unique feature in nature. (A flower, leaf cutter pattern or wood line) Make sure that it’s not a feature that moves such as a bird. Position your “camera” to take a “picture” by posing their head arms and legs. Tap your “camera” (gently on the shoulder) to have him open his “shutter”(eyes). They may look only at what is in front of them and only for ten seconds. Once time is up they must close their “shutter” again and are led away by the photographer. Once finished, see if the camera can find his/her “picture” in nature again.