Enterprise South hosts hikes for kids

There's nothing wrong with telling your kid to "take a hike," as long as it's a guided hike at Enterprise South Nature Park.

The nature park's "A Closer Look" program is an ongoing series that gives first- through sixth-grade students a free opportunity to participate in a guided hike with an emphasis on a particular feature of the surrounding ecosystem.

"I'm so excited when the kids come out and have a blast," said naturalist and hike leader Laura Marsh. "When the kids are out there looking in holes, picking up leaves and talking about birds, it's exciting."

The next hike, which focuses on animal homes and habitats, will be Nov. 12. Students in first through third grades will begin their hike at 9 a.m. at the Enterprise South Nature Park Visitor's Center. Students in fourth through sixth grade will begin their hike in the gravel parking lot beyond the visitor's center at 10:15 a.m. Both hikes will last approximately an hour, said Marsh.

"Going through the fall there we will see more and more different things changing throughout the park," she said. "We won't see a lot of animals because they're well hidden, but we'll see evidence of them."

Since the upcoming hike is focused on animal homes and habitats, children will likely be observing highly visible squirrel nests and learning about where snakes, lizards and bugs go during the winter, said Marsh. The opportunity to experience nature firsthand with an informed guide makes it a lot like visiting an "outdoor classroom" she said.

"Going on one of these hikes really will make them appreciate the natural world," said Marsh. "I think that's something kids are lacking nowadays and if we're going to preserve the earth, we need to first understand more about it."

Participating in the hike is free, but Marsh said each group of children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Enterprise South Nature Park at 893-3500.

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