[CINC] Ideas on integrating Kid program into regular walk

[Noel & Kathleen Van Slyke]

To all hike leaders on SCI:

  I have been working on trying to integrate a few features of the kid 
program into the regular walk and have some ideas that you might be 
interested in.   I know that a lot of you have found the same thing I 
have -- kids get quite bored with the standard presentation.   Derek 
suggested that I send this out on the Rain List.  These are some ways 
that I have found work to integrate the two.

1. In your introduction start with telling them what animals actually 
made it to the islands, some of the ways they did it, and what ended up 
here.  Just mention that the first people were Chumash, and then go on 
to ranching.  I have been doing a little less on the ranching than is is 
the standard script but adding the uses of the cave with the door and 
window.  There is a card with the animals that made it to the islands 
available.

2. As a transition tell them that you are going to find some endemic and 
native plants and  also discuss the  effects of ranching on the 
landscape.  Pass out the plant cards to kids and adults that want them 
and then talk about at least some of them.  You can go in front of the 
plant and ask what it is.   Be sure to define endemic and native.

3. When I have been seeing a fox, generally I have been talking about 
the characteristics of it and have saved the story about what happened 
until I get up the hill.  However I have done it both ways, depending on 
group.

4. Usually at the standard place for plant restoration, I do the plant 
restoration.  That is a nice set-up for the fox activity up the hill.

5. As mentioned before, at the diatomaceous earth I frequently do the 
fox activity -- If geology is going to be done, I sometimes do the fox 
activity at the open area a little higher up.  If it is done higher up I 
frequently use the idea of a connection between land and sea.  To tell 
the story of the fox I use the fox activity cards.  Depending on the 
number of kids, it can be done with just the fox, the golden eagle, the 
bald eagle, the pig, plankton, and fish, giving each one of them a 
card.  One person can be given the plankton and fish.  I usually begin 
by asking who wants to be part of the problem and who wants to be part 
of the solution.   You can always add the sheep, who ate it all.   While 
you can involve everyone, if there is a large group I have found it 
easiest and quicker just to take volunteers from the kids.  If there are 
not enough kids you can draft  adult(s) for remaining role(s).  I have 
found that the 7 foot rope held by two kids gets a lot of interest (wing 
span of golden eagle)

6. Do Chumash and conclusion at normal place in normal way.

Hope some of you find this helpful.  If you have any questions, don't 
hesitate to e-mail me or phone me.  I have found doing it this way is a 
lot of fun.

Kathy Van Slyke