February 23rd is our next scheduled meeting. We will be meeting at Fishburn Park at 1:00 PM
for fun, hiking, letterboxing and frisbee golf! Our special guest will be Michael Overacker,
designer of the Fishburn Park Disc Golf Course.
We will be sharing from the book:
Trekking on a Trail: Hiking Adventures for Kids which has been an inspiration to us in preparing KIVA. We will also be sharing treats from many companies who
have decided to support our efforts.
Remember to send us your e-mail for updates and the electronic newsletter.
Thanks for all the e-mails. Please keep them coming. We are compiling favorite places to play around the Roanoke Valley, as well as volunteer opportunities for the families involved.
Play, Learn, Volunteer!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
What a success!
Thank you all for coming Saturday. In all, including babies in slings and those in utero, we had 22 kids and their parents, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, and grandfathers! Thanks also to Paul Chapman of the Discovery Center and the great people at the Roanoke Times for letting everyone know about our meetings.
Here is what we accomplished:
Introductions and Mingling
People kept coming in...We had to get more tables and more chairs! My wife was home sick with a few of our little ones, but I was able to bring along my trooper middle child! Thanks P!
I am a school teacher for Roanoke County Schools, with my Masters of Reading. I am learning about the great outdoors as I go along.
Reading
Our favorite animal at the top of the mountain is one of the smallest. The chipmunk was the star is "How Chipmunk Got His Stripes" by James Bruchac
http://www.amazon.com/How-Chipmunk-Stripes-Picture-Puffins/dp/0142500216
Great Character Counts! moment, considering bragging and always being right.
Why did we start KIVA?
One thing I mentioned was as a teacher all things are derivative. I take what I have learned and put it all together into a lesson. The idea for KIVA did not come overnight.
Influences:
My wonderful wife Ashely, who keeps us all going. Her full time job seems to be taxi driver for the Wild Donahue's. She somehow seems to make it to her other job as Managing Broker of Wainwright & Company Realtors. She packs all the great picnics and kisses all the boo-boos. My biggest hero.
My three children...always up for the adventure. Thank you.
My good friend, Rick Williams, who got me off the couch and changed my life, tricking me into training for triathlons. Crazy man even manages our weekend running crew.
My many grandparents for getting me outside when I was a kid.
The following books must be read, if you want to understand why we created KIVA:
The Quikpick Adventure Society by Sam Riddleberger
http://sam.riddleburger.com/qwiklink.html
We really related to the kids of Crickenberg. This book sparked spirit of adventure in me, inspiring me to even suggest leading a group of kids on outdoor adventures. The story shows the true importance of the journey is not the treasure found under the "X Marks the Spot", it is the memories made along the way. This book will travel with us to all KIVA meetings. Our friend Jamie borrowed it. You can have it next, or better yet...buy your own.
A Walk In the Woods by Bill Bryson
On a recent hike, we met a wonderful man who hikes the same area almost everyday for the fun and the exercise. He recommended the book to us and we purchased it that day. Everyday Ashley and I shared stories from the book, laughing as we went along. NOT ALL FOR KIDS. Share the good stuff with them. Keep the better stuff for when they are older.
http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-Appalachian-Official/dp/0767902521
and these websites:
www.letterboxing.org Our favorite way to spend the day!
www.mmw.net Let's Go Everywhere!
www.rogerday.com DREAM BIG!
That's plenty enough for now. We look forward to seeing you all and more at our next meeting in February. We will have a guest speaker and lots of fun playing at Fishburn Park!
Here is what we accomplished:
Introductions and Mingling
People kept coming in...We had to get more tables and more chairs! My wife was home sick with a few of our little ones, but I was able to bring along my trooper middle child! Thanks P!
I am a school teacher for Roanoke County Schools, with my Masters of Reading. I am learning about the great outdoors as I go along.
Reading
Our favorite animal at the top of the mountain is one of the smallest. The chipmunk was the star is "How Chipmunk Got His Stripes" by James Bruchac
http://www.amazon.com/How-Chipmunk-Stripes-Picture-Puffins/dp/0142500216
Great Character Counts! moment, considering bragging and always being right.
Why did we start KIVA?
One thing I mentioned was as a teacher all things are derivative. I take what I have learned and put it all together into a lesson. The idea for KIVA did not come overnight.
Influences:
My wonderful wife Ashely, who keeps us all going. Her full time job seems to be taxi driver for the Wild Donahue's. She somehow seems to make it to her other job as Managing Broker of Wainwright & Company Realtors. She packs all the great picnics and kisses all the boo-boos. My biggest hero.
My three children...always up for the adventure. Thank you.
My good friend, Rick Williams, who got me off the couch and changed my life, tricking me into training for triathlons. Crazy man even manages our weekend running crew.
My many grandparents for getting me outside when I was a kid.
The following books must be read, if you want to understand why we created KIVA:
The Quikpick Adventure Society by Sam Riddleberger
http://sam.riddleburger.com/qwiklink.html
We really related to the kids of Crickenberg. This book sparked spirit of adventure in me, inspiring me to even suggest leading a group of kids on outdoor adventures. The story shows the true importance of the journey is not the treasure found under the "X Marks the Spot", it is the memories made along the way. This book will travel with us to all KIVA meetings. Our friend Jamie borrowed it. You can have it next, or better yet...buy your own.
A Walk In the Woods by Bill Bryson
On a recent hike, we met a wonderful man who hikes the same area almost everyday for the fun and the exercise. He recommended the book to us and we purchased it that day. Everyday Ashley and I shared stories from the book, laughing as we went along. NOT ALL FOR KIDS. Share the good stuff with them. Keep the better stuff for when they are older.
http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-Appalachian-Official/dp/0767902521
and these websites:
www.letterboxing.org Our favorite way to spend the day!
www.mmw.net Let's Go Everywhere!
www.rogerday.com DREAM BIG!
That's plenty enough for now. We look forward to seeing you all and more at our next meeting in February. We will have a guest speaker and lots of fun playing at Fishburn Park!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
We'll be there!
We are excited to share our first KIVA meeting with you today at 1:00 PM, at the lovely Discovery Center atop Mill Mountain. If weather is a factor, please don't take crazy chances. Just come to our next meeting. But for those who can make it, we will be there!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
"Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints.”
Chief Seattle left these words of wisdom, and they are a guide for what we are planning to create with KIVA. Get out there. Enjoy. Make memories. Leave a footprint, something that can be seen, ever so slight. Our hope is that others will follow this footprint and get out as well.
As a school teacher, I hear a lot about No Child Left Behind. Last night I researched a new drive in Environmental Education called No Child Left Inside. The KIVA team has been added to their efforts, and our footprint has been placed on their website.
Check it out here!
http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_sub_actioncenter_federal_nclb_day_map
We are still planning to see you all at The Discovery Center on Saturday!
As a school teacher, I hear a lot about No Child Left Behind. Last night I researched a new drive in Environmental Education called No Child Left Inside. The KIVA team has been added to their efforts, and our footprint has been placed on their website.
Check it out here!
http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_sub_actioncenter_federal_nclb_day_map
We are still planning to see you all at The Discovery Center on Saturday!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Hot Pick! on Roanoke.com
Hello All!
Looks like it we are in it for real! Roanoke.com just listed us as a Hot Pick! for our first meeting next Saturday. Here is the link if you want to check it out.
http://www.roanoke.com/appcal/calDetail.aspx?eventID=10452
The kids are very excited. We will be heading up the mountain on the 19th for Trail Clean Up Day and then preparing for the first KIVA meeting. Can't wait to see you all there.
Until then, keep sending in your outdoor ideas for our first newsletter. I spent the greater part of the day at the Salem Library looking for books for hiking hints and outdoor games ideas.
Lots to be found...
To quote an old dead dear,
"Dig deep, the earth is hard, the treasure is fine."
Looks like it we are in it for real! Roanoke.com just listed us as a Hot Pick! for our first meeting next Saturday. Here is the link if you want to check it out.
http://www.roanoke.com/appcal/calDetail.aspx?eventID=10452
The kids are very excited. We will be heading up the mountain on the 19th for Trail Clean Up Day and then preparing for the first KIVA meeting. Can't wait to see you all there.
Until then, keep sending in your outdoor ideas for our first newsletter. I spent the greater part of the day at the Salem Library looking for books for hiking hints and outdoor games ideas.
Lots to be found...
To quote an old dead dear,
"Dig deep, the earth is hard, the treasure is fine."
Friday, January 11, 2008
Welcome to the KIVAinfo blog.
Hello all! Thanks for finding your way here. A quick introduction is in order.
My wife and I decided to put together this little (FREE) get together in hopes of getting parents and their kids out of the house and outside enjoying our wonderful town. We want to showcase our favorite treasures within 50 miles and then learn about others we have yet to find. We want to also share ways to volunteer locally, to make our valley an even greater place to live.
The support from area businesses and the local media, The Roanoke Times and Roanoke.com has been fantastic. Already local stores, like the Natural Foods Co-Op, have offered to host us and supply snacks. I'm going to go with this momentum and call a business everyday!
Our first meeting will be held at the lovely Mill Mountain Discovery Center, atop our favorite high altitude playzone, Mill Mountain. Join us Saturday, January 19th, 2008, at 1:00 PM for introductions and snacks.
To receive our e-mails and calendar updates, please send an e-mail to KIVAinfo@gmail.com
We'd love to see you there. No childcare will be provided. Please come prepared to adventure with your children and leave knowing that you made a memory.
My wife and I decided to put together this little (FREE) get together in hopes of getting parents and their kids out of the house and outside enjoying our wonderful town. We want to showcase our favorite treasures within 50 miles and then learn about others we have yet to find. We want to also share ways to volunteer locally, to make our valley an even greater place to live.
The support from area businesses and the local media, The Roanoke Times and Roanoke.com has been fantastic. Already local stores, like the Natural Foods Co-Op, have offered to host us and supply snacks. I'm going to go with this momentum and call a business everyday!
Our first meeting will be held at the lovely Mill Mountain Discovery Center, atop our favorite high altitude playzone, Mill Mountain. Join us Saturday, January 19th, 2008, at 1:00 PM for introductions and snacks.
To receive our e-mails and calendar updates, please send an e-mail to KIVAinfo@gmail.com
We'd love to see you there. No childcare will be provided. Please come prepared to adventure with your children and leave knowing that you made a memory.
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