07 Aug Get Dirty: Tips for Getting Kids of All Ages into the Outdoors

Attending the Teens and the Environment discussion hosted by Austin Youth River Watch has gotten my children in nature energy flowing. Leaders and participants in Austin Youth River Watch hosted a public forum and discussion called Teens and the Environment. I only caught the end but still got a few useful takeaways and reminders.

• Many kids today have been ingrained with a fear of getting dirty. They fear getting in trouble with their parents or their own standards of keeping their shoes nice, and not dirtying their shirts or pants. If a kid doesn't have suitable "play clothes" that can get dirty (by the way most dirt comes out just fine in the laundry) how 'bout a trip to the thrift store to get some options that allow for full freedom to roam, play, and get dirty.

• There are a lot of kids (and parents) of all backgrounds who have not grown up taking camping trips, paddling on rivers or even hiking on local greenbelts. For most of the uninitiated, easing into it is advisable. Starting out with very local hikes, camp craft skills in a back yard, or getting some basic training in river safety and paddling skills are all helpful. Doing outdoor activities with others who have more experience is a great way to "get your feet wet".

Thankfully, here in Central Texas, no matter where you live, what school your kids go to, or what your financial situation is, there are many pathways to the outdoors. In no particular order…they are all great…

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation despite budget challenges offers a wide range of Nature-Based Programs for kids in all sorts of locations, including beautiful Zilker Park. Kids can learn about and interact with their local environment by helping out with the gardening at Zilker Botanical Garden, or by joining summer camps with Austin Nature and Science Center and the Camacho Activity Center.  

Keep Austin Beautiful runs educational, leadership and service programs for kids year round, and even more in the summer months.

For a gorgeous afternoon for the whole family, you can visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin. While adults can wander around and enjoy the sunshine and flowers, kids can work on fun activity sheets or play for hours in the Family Garden . Keep an eye out next summer for their Nature Nights as well – they’ll be updated on this page as soon as the new dates are available.

Westcave Preserve is a gorgeous property that offers Friday tours, weekend tours, star parties, monthly volunteer days and more! Follow their new Uplands Trail, join one of their Friday or Weekend Guided Tours or, best of all, take a tour of the night skies at one of their Star Parties!

Visit some of the excellent Travis County Parks. Hamilton Pool Preserve is especially stunning, but be sure to get there early – there is a limit on the number of people who can visit at any one time, and on hot weekends there is often a long wait for entry. If there’s a wait though, head next door to Reimers Ranch Park, where the adventurous can enjoy excellent mountain biking and world class rock climbing.

There are also spectacular state parks not far from Austin. Check out Enchanted Rock State Park near Fredericksburg, visit nearby Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City or head south to Lockhart State Park. Make sure to pick up a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack for the littlest adventurer in your group.

There are also great resources for the little ones available from the National Wildlife Federation. There are all sorts of great activities that kids can get involved in, whether it’s on a rainy day at home or outdoors exploring nature!

Want to do even more to get outdoors with your own kids or volunteer to work with others? You've got multiple options:

• Texas River School helps hundreds of Austin-area youths go through the River Sense program which involves an online training and quiz, then an hour-long class on land and a couple of hours on the water canoeing. Volunteer with Texas River School by sending them a message about your skills and interest here>> You and/or some kids you know can get a lot of the same benefit by going online and reading the River Sensibles at then go to https://texasriverschool.org/quiz/river-sense/ and take the quiz. When you complete it, if you have entered an email address you will be given discounts at SIX boating outfitters on Lady Bird Lake. Another water-related group that can use volunteers is Austin Youth River Watch
• Inner City Outings – (ICO) is the Sierra Club's community outreach program which provides underserved youth (and adults) the opportunity to explore, enjoy, and protect the natural world.  ICO partners with several local agencies, such as Austin Parks and Recreation, Foundation Communities, and Communities in Schools to provide the outreach to its clients. Read more and learn how to volunteer here>>
• Of course Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have been helping young people learn useful life and outdoor skills for over a century. See Girl Scouts of Central Texas or Boy Scouts of America Capital Area Council.
• Campfire USA offers a range of environmental camps to connect kids with nature. They also offer year-round family-based outdoor activities and education. Campfire's Balcones Chapter serves the Austin area.
• Austin Families in Nature is an intergenerational activity club for families. If you would like to join other families in pre-planned outdoor activities this is for you. Or, if you have wanted to start a nature club but were daunted by having to come up with all the activities and plan all the logistics, then AFiN is a way to do it with full support (curriculum ideas and lots of pre-planned activities) from a seasoned pro.  This will allow new leaders to gain experience in the outdoors within an established group, as well as allow leaders time outside with their own family at activities that they do not have to plan or run. If you are interested in volunteering to lead a family nature club with support from Austin Families in Nature you can fill out an interest form here>>

For adults wanting to brave the great outdoors with other intrepid souls, the Austin Sierra Club has regular outings, many of them free. There is also a fee/membership program called Hill Country Outdoors that has a schedule so packed with daily activities you can't help but find an activity that is both appealing and convenient to you.

Go enjoy the great outdoors and take a kid with you if you can…. and don't worry about getting dirty!