This week we took our Summer of Service on the road to Idaho. Our little family was heading up north for a college reunion at BYU-Idaho so we decided to sneak in a hike or two in the beautiful Idaho outdoors.
I lived in Idaho for four years and somehow never found time to visit Mesa Falls so that was our very first stop.We walked both the lower and upper falls trails. Loved that the trails were so family friendly.
The lower falls had a few smaller trails that we explored. Lily has developed quite the trained eye for litter now and we were able to leave the trail looking a little bit better. Even after the Summer of Service is over, I’m pretty sure we will keep up this tradition. Lily and Cort are both so careful not to leave litter since we have begun cleaning the trails.
On the trail to the lower falls viewing area we saw a cute little squirrel and we were able to talk about how litter affects the animals and plants.
We spent the second day in
Harriman State Park and we were so IMPRESSED by how clean the park was kept. Lily only found a few pieces of litter. Way to go Idaho!
It was surprisingly easy to incorporate service in to our family vacation. It didn’t take any additional time to pick up the litter and we were able to dispose of it in the garbage cans at the rest stop. I like that taking care of the environment is becoming a habit for my children and something that they are initiating when we hop out of the car at the trails.
The areas we traveled through were so stunningly beautiful and it made us feel good to know what we were helping to keep it that way.
Where are your favorite nature areas to visit with your children?
6 Comments
Jean Vogler · June 26, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Visiting from SAST. This is such a good idea to teach kids early on to be conscience of the environment and leave places better than we found them. Thanks for linking up!
Living the Scream · June 27, 2012 at 6:47 pm
What a fun idea. I bet they had such a good time doing this. I am going to have to try this with my family.
Heather Johnson-Family Volley · June 28, 2012 at 2:29 pm
What an important thing to teach kids. To incorporate service into all we do.
Summer @ Summer Scraps · June 28, 2012 at 4:01 pm
What a great idea! That is so awesome that you are teaching this to your kids. I think I may do this with my kiddos as well.
Karina Wetzel · June 29, 2012 at 1:05 pm
I love this! What a wonderful idea :)! I can't wait until my little one is old enough to understand… beautiful place by the way? We love the outdoors!
Tips for Hiking with Children | Keep Moving Forward With Me · May 30, 2013 at 5:22 am
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