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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Marilyn Williams, a naturalist at Mill Creek Park, hosted the park's first Little Explorers meeting on Jan. 10 at the Ford Nature Center.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Naturalist Marilyn Williams read "Over and Under the Snow" to a group of 3-6 year-olds gathered at the Ford Nature Center.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.An interactive board with photos of animals in Mill Creek Park was used by Naturalist Marilyn Williams during the Jan. 10 Little Explorers meeting at Ford Nature Center.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Naturalist Marilyn Williams addressed children and families gathered at the Ford Nature Center Jan. 10 for the Little Explorers meeting.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Naturalist Marilyn Williams read "Over and Under the Snow" to children gathered at the Little Explorers meeting Jan. 10.
BY JESSICA HARKER
The Little Explorers Club, organized by Mill Creek Park, met on Jan. 10 at the Ford Nature Center.
Naturalist Marilyn Williams hosted the event, stating that it is the program that will take the place of the former Children’s Nature Hour.
“We are going to talk about the animals we can find under the snow, and over the snow, and what the animals so in winter,” Williams said.
During the event, children ages 3-6 gathered at the park for a variety of activities.
Williams started the event with an introduction, and coloring, before reading “Over and Under the Snow” to the group gathered.
Children worked with an interactive board with photos of animals from the book answering questions about what they do during the winter season.
“The purpose of the club is to get kids to go outside and explore nature, they are so curious and we just want to get them out there and get them curious about the outdoors,” Williams said.
Children also created a pine cone bird feeder craft that the group hung outside.
Williams also took children on an exploration through the Ford Nature Center to see animals in the habitat room, before going outside to look for animals and tracks throughout the park.
“Any season is a great season to go outdoors the parks are beautiful any time of the year,” Williams said.
Children also attempted to hand-feed chickadees. Williams said that the program is a series that runs monthly. She explained that her hope was that by starting the program in the winter it will encourage community members to see the beauty in the season at Mill Creek Park.
“Without the leaves you can see the landscape better, see the birds and tracks better,” Williams said. “It’s always beautiful no matter when you come.”