My son and I went to our first preschool program together at Blendon Woods. The Central Ohio Metro Parks offer year-round programs for people of all ages, and not only are they fun and educational, but free! We attended a program designed for the preschool aged group called “Big Trees.” A naturalist took us on a hike teaching the kids tons of stuff, such as: how to measure trees with their hands, why trees die, and how woodpeckers find some trees tastier than others. Babies to children around age eight were engaged in the outdoor learning experience.
Most of the programs begin at the parks’ nature centers, and that is where we met up with our naturalist. She handed me an “Explorer’s Card” and signed it, informing me that when my son finished five programs he’d earn a badge. The 2011 Metro Parks badge is a Pileated Woodpecker, and can be earned by attending five programs at any of the Central Ohio Metro Parks. Inside the Blendon Woods Nature Center were fish, snakes, turtles, and other creatures on display, tons of books and learning activities such as puzzles and games, and an area for bird watching. We could 
seriously spend a few hours just hanging out in there on a rainy day, but our program took us outside to explore the world of trees.
The naturalist showed the kids how to shake a wet tree to cause a “rainfall,” how to count the leaves on a sassafras tree, and measuring the width of trees with our arms. She lead us into the woods for a short hike where we saw the damage Emerald Ash Borer were causing. Sad to see so many dead or infested Ash trees. She explained that woodpeckers eat the nasty green bugs, but they can’t eat enough of them to save a tree. We finished up the tour by hiking back to the nature center where we admired a box turtle, stared at a snake, and peered in at a bunch of monarch caterpillars soon to form into chrysalis. My boy got a sticker with 
bats on it and then we were on our way. We had a great morning learning together, and can’t wait to attend another program – so many to choose from! I think bugs or bats are on the list.
To learn more about the programs offered through the Central Ohio Metro Parks, pick up a copy of Park Scope at one of the parks or check out the Metro Parks website for more information on programs: www.metroparks.net. I spoke with the naturalist and sometimes they do impromptu classes. Impromptu classes are announced on their facebook page: Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
A few tips:
- Park Scope brochure contains directions to each Metro Park and programs/activities broken down by park and by month.
- The nature center of each park is not necessarily at the front of the park, but there are signs to get you there.
- Bring water and a snack for after your program or go play and then eat lunch.
- Explore the nature center before or after your program – lots of cool stuff! Also, bathrooms are inside.
- Don’t forget your Explorer’s Card or get one. Once you child earns a badge sew it on a pillow or their favorite shirt or coat.
- Bug spray, sunscreen, band aids, After Bite, hand sanitizer – all that stuff is good to have on hand, too (I keep mine in a bag that never leaves the car).
