Debbee Aquila Maraglio-Lynn
Welcome back! Each week, The Mountaineers youth team is sharing ideas and activities for kids of all ages to stay engaged while also staying close to home and following your county’s phased guidelines. Last week's Stuck Inside celebrated the H20 (so fun!). This week, we are sharing youth-specific resources on racism to support Black Lives Matter.
This week continues to be heavy as thousands of people support protests for the Black Lives Matter movement. We know outdoor recreation can be an unwelcoming space for kids of color, and we believe all people should have equal access to enjoy the outdoors.
Parents and youth, we want to support and create environments where all people feel safe to explore and be in nature. Here are just a few resources to get started:
- When are kids old enough to talk about racism?
- Books for kids and teens about race, racism, and police violence
- 60+ multicultural children’s books celebrating fathers
- More books recommendations from Embrace Race
- Ten tips for teaching and talking to kids about race
To honor Black Lives Matter all month long, here are other ways to stay connected to the outdoors and each other:
GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH
National Trails Day is suspended for 2020 to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. One way to honor equal recreation for all is by taking part in community space clean-up. To do so, take the 5-minute park challenge: bring a bag and gloves and spend 5-minutes picking up any trash you find. Dispose of it properly, or use any newfound treasures to create art.
JUNETEENTH
June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday in 47 states, including Washington, but is yet to be recognized as a federal holiday. The day of renewal, reflection, and pride is celebrated in many different ways, from outdoor picnics to parades, and should be a day centered around celebrating African-American freedom and achievements while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. Get ideas for how you can celebrate and check out Seattle area celebrations.
FATHER’S DAY
Father’s Day is a good reason to recognize and love any dad in your life, even if they may not be yours. Wish a Happy Father’s Day to an uncle, a grandfather, or one of your best friends’ dads! Incorporate the lessons you've learned this week into Father’s Day. Read a book together, then create something that reflects what you’ve learned to display around the house. Our Mountain Workshop partners at Young Women Empowered have a tutorial on how to create your own Butterfly and fly it or make your own Constellation Lantern. Or you can check out these card making ideas or try a do it yourself craft like making a hand puppet show or a woven sailors bracelet.
PRIDE MONTH
In June, LGBTQ Pride month is commemorated each year in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City that served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States. Like the Black Lives Matter movement, the pride movement fought against police brutality. Find ways to celebrate Pride on the Seattle Pride website. ADL has also published a list of books by subject on identity, bullying, and bias or check out this list of diverse books for your library.
ABOUT YOUTH PROGRAMS
The Mountaineers is committed to bringing outdoor experiences to today's youth through our outdoor youth and family programs. We introduce young people to the benefits of outdoor experiences: a healthy lifestyle, outdoor recreation skills, perseverance, self-confidence, self-reliance, an appreciation for the natural world, and a commitment to protecting outdoor spaces. We offer year-round clubs, break and summer camps, outreach programs through Mountain Workshops, a youth gear lending library, and even programs for our smallest members: Mini Mountaineers. Learn more about all of the programs we offer.
Check out all of the previous episodes of Stuck Inside for more fun activities!
