Devon Schoos
Our youth program for the youngest adventurers, ages 2-5, kicked off for the year last month, and there’s still time to join! Read on to learn about what we do in Mini Mountaineers and how to get your little one involved.
Who we are
Adventure seekers ages 2-5 and an accompanying adult are invited to participate in Mini Mountaineers! The program runs November through May, with monthly meetups at different parks around Seattle and the Eastside. Programs include nature walks, rock climbing, salmon sightings, wildlife viewing, craft making, and more. We try to be inclusive of various schedules by offering a Wednesday and Saturday program for families to choose from each month.
WHAT WE DO
Last month we held our first program of the year at Magnuson Park, where we learned all about leaves and how they change in the fall. We talked about why leaves change color as we walked the leaf-strewn trail through the park.
We took a break halfway and played “Red Leaf, Green Leaf”- a thematic take on the classic Red Light, Green Light! On our way back to the picnic tables, we went on a leaf hunt to find leaves of varying shapes and sizes that we could use for our craft. Back at the picnic tables, we made leaf rubbings with crayons, paper, and the leaves we collected from the trail. It was amazing to see the veins of the leaves pop through on the paper!
This month we are so excited to meet at Carkeek Park and learn all about the salmon that spawn in the river there.
WHY WE DO IT
On average, children in the US spend only 4-7 minutes playing outside each day, in contrast to an average of 7 hours spent in front of a screen. The science is clear: outdoor play improves children’s physical and mental health. Playing outside improves motor skills, prevents obesity, contributes to cognitive and emotional development, reduces stress, improves sensory skills, increases attention spans, and supports happiness. Introducing children to the outdoors at a young age increases these lifelong benefits. In Mini Mountaineers, we aim to provide tangible outdoor experiences that foster growth, creativity, curiosity, and empower our youngest generation to be healthy, happy, lifelong nature lovers and stewards.
We would love for you to join our community of Mini Mountaineers!
Please contact Devon Schoos with any questions.
