Enjoy "Nature Naturally" Weekend November 12-14

Looking to do something more than walk through the woods when enjoying nature? Join us November 12-14, 2010, for a family-friendly weekend of outdoor activities and learn how to enjoy Nature Naturally at Callaway Gardens!

Here’s your chance to try something new and different – or just give you time to enjoy some outdoor activities that are on your list of favorites. Experts will be on hand to give tips on how get the most of being outdoors and even give you some new reasons to get out and explore nature. What better place than Callaway Gardens to practice your nature photography; learn how to geocache, a high-tech scavenger hunt; kayak; canoe; and stargaze.

Friday, November 12, 2010

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Welcome Cookout

Saturday, November 13, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Photography for Nature Lovers*

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Geocaching: A High-tech Scavenger Hunt*

2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Kayaking/Canoeing on Mountain Creek Lake*

6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Astronomy Program with the Columbus State University Coca-Cola Space Science Center

Sunday, November 14, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mountain Creek Lake Hike

10:30 a.m. and Beyond Enjoy Callaway Gardens


*Program times will vary. Confirmation will give participant’s specific program times.

The entire weekend is only $150* per person and includes accommodations at the Mountain Creek Inn, the complete list of activities, a Friday evening cookout and a Saturday evening dinner.

Reserve the Nature Naturally Outdoor Weekend package at www.callawaygardens.com or call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292). Based on availability, some restrictions apply.

Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. To experience nature at its finest, call 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

*Rate is based on double occupancy and availability. Some restrictions may apply. Tax is additional.

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Enjoy Local Nature With Your Family

(StatePoint) Year round, more families are taking to the great outdoors for fun activities. Whether for economic reasons or a desire to unplug from the world of computers and video games, parents are increasingly turning to local parks, wildlife outings and outdoor sports.

While children are born with a curiosity about the natural world, more and more, digital media is absorbing young peoples' time, say experts. In fact, research from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates kids are absorbing more than seven hours of media content daily.

"We need to capitalize on the latest digital trends to help us spark a curiosity among students in outdoor activities," says Mary Rollins, vice president of educational partnerships of Discovery Education.

Parents who want to encourage natural curiosity need to stimulate children's interest at an early age. Exploring nature can be done inexpensively and close to home.

Local Wonders

One of the great beauties of America is its geographical diversity: from mountains to lakes, deserts to waterfalls, and canyons to plains. State parks abound with diverse wonders and offer many activities for youngsters, such as boating, fishing and camping. You can search locations online at ExploreTheBlue.com, TakeMeFishing.org, or nps.gov.

"Parents and teachers need to stimulate children's natural interest in the outdoors and lead by example. Simply getting outside together to explore can inspire a new generation of boaters and anglers," says Frank Peterson, President and CEO of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.

Actively Involve Kids

Once you get kids outdoors, here are some ways to stimulate curiosity:

* Let them lead. You may be tempted to lead explorations of the woods, but children are more likely to enjoy the outdoors if they have some say in their experience. Whether for exercise or quiet reflection, let them choose and develop their own relationship to nature. 

* Create maps. Have kids create a map of your outdoor excursion area and track where you go and what you see along the way to compare different habitats within an ecosystem.

* Enter contests together that encourage outdoor activities. For example, TakeMeFishing.org and Discovery Education have launched a digital program called "Explore the Blue" and an essay contest for elementary schoolchildren. Kids need to write a short essay describing their favorite fishing or boating experience and submit a picture or photo for a chance to win a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park and a $250 gift card. 

* Encourage kids to draw or write about what they see in a journal. Or create a scrapbook to categorize your adventures on land or water, and have children research their floral and animal spotting.

* Build boats. Create model boats using different materials, then test them out on the water for a fun activity that will teach the basics of buoyancy, water displacement, surface area and boat design.

For more information on the contest and ideas for fun outdoor activities for kids, visit ExploreTheBlue.com.

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The Jekyll Island Authority Announces 2010 Georgia Coast Birding and Nature Festival

/PRNewswire/ -- Today the Jekyll Island Authority announced they will produce the 2010 Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival, scheduled for October 7-10 on Jekyll Island. The Authority has hired Lydia Thompson as the festival's Event Coordinator.

Started in 2002, this marks the eighth year of the Georgia Coast Birding and Nature Festival. Annually this event brings bird watchers from around the world to Jekyll Island and the Brunswick-Golden Isles area to view the numerous migrating bird species.

"The Georgia Ornithological Society and the Coastal Georgia Audubon Society have done a terrific job executing the festival for the past seven years. We are happy to take over responsibilities with their support to ensure the festival's continued success," said Eric Garvey, Chief Communications Officer for the Jekyll Island Authority.

The Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival features numerous field trips, exhibits, and educational sessions related to birding, wildlife viewing, and environmental awareness. Experienced guides show visitors how to spot various birds, learn their calls, and identify their species. Quick field trips are also offered to young bird watchers to introduce them to the hobby and instill an appreciation for the environment.

"It is due to the enthusiasm and passion of our partners and volunteers that the Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival continues to grow," said Lydia Thompson. "I cannot wait to work with them again this year as we continue to foster a love for birding while raising awareness of our coastal environment."

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Can You Spell Turkey? Think Alligator.

T2F Note: Here it is. The coveted Fayette Front Page Day Tripper for Thanksgiving is just a short drive away in Folkston, GA.

Down around the Okefenokee, turkey is spelled a-l-l-i-g-a-t-o-r. The Okefenokee Adventures is hosting a 2 night 3 day excursion from November 27-29. Join them on this exciting outdoors adventure. Enjoy the fall colors of the swamp. Spot baby alligators on the banks. Enjoy the tranquility of nature at its best.

Click here to learn more.

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Visit Edisto Island SC with Sandy Toes

Edisto Island, South Carolina, is about 40 miles from Charleston and remains unspoiled. The small beachfront community is ideal for families who want to find their place in the sand. To date, there has been no excess development on the island and everyone finds "Edislow Time." Join "Sandy Toes" and see some of the natural beauty of the island.

Click here to see another one of Sandy Toes' adventures on Edisto.


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