KIVA - Kids In the Valley! was introduced today to the local Roanoke area through today's issue of The Roanoke Times. We would like to welcome any new readers who have learned about us by reading this article. My wife and I would also like to thank Ms. Jennie Tal for writing about our free monthly outdoor adventure club.
The story in today's paper can be found online here:
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/152384
I am concerned about the sentence that states that I got tired of hearing about what my students are doing after school. If you are a present parent of one of my students or a parent from the past, you know that I frequently attend my student's games and activities after school and on the weekends. I also apologize for the word "most," as this wording does not properly reflect my feelings about my classes as a whole. I know many of my students attend many fantastic activities; such as sport practices, church services, scouts programs, and family fun activities. Again, I apologize for any way that this may take away from the amazing things you do with your families.
However, over all, I feel that the article captures our spirit of adventure and does a great job of welcoming all families to join us in thanking Roanoke for providing all of the fun places for us to play.
Please join us March 22nd for our third KIVA meeting of the year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list and to receive our monthly newsletter, please e-mail us at
KIVAinfo@gmail.com
Thank you all for visiting.
Chip Donahue
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thanks for coming out!
Hello All,
Thanks so much to those families that came out for KIVA and those families who happened to be playing at Fishburn Park and decided to come play with us for a while. I hope everyone enjoyed their free frisbee(*donated by Advance Auto Parts*), making the craft (a hiking journal donated by the Salem Wal-Mart), and the yummy hot chocolate and coffee (*donated by Starbucks). We had a great time. We will definitely need to put Fishburn Park on our list for next year. An extra special thank you to Michael Overacker for presenting the game of Disc Golf and walking us through a couple of rounds.
An extra special group stayed after and helped us clean up and walked the trails looking for trash. Team KIVA has signed up to help with Clean Valley Day - April 5th! Please contact us and let us know if you would like to help out on that day. Let's let Roanoke City know how much we appreciate all the great free parks by helping them keep them clean.
Our next KIVA is already planned out for March 22nd. We will meet again at 1:00 PM. By the way, this is our winter time. Once the weather warms up, we will start meeting earlier. I know this is nap time for many of our crew. March 22nd, please join KIVA in welcoming Mr. Earl Morris of the Virginia Bluebird Society at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County. Mr. Morris will walk us around the park, showing us the bluebird houses along the trail, and teaching us about the life of the beautiful bluebird.
Speaking of walking, this day is also set aside for World Water Day. Please join us as we join people around the world focusing on the world's need for clean water resources. Our walk that day is registered with their website. Check here for our address:
http://www.worldwaterday.net/network/052/Daniel/Donahue
Join us then, make a memory with your child and make a difference in the world.
And as always, it's free!
Thanks so much to those families that came out for KIVA and those families who happened to be playing at Fishburn Park and decided to come play with us for a while. I hope everyone enjoyed their free frisbee(*donated by Advance Auto Parts*), making the craft (a hiking journal donated by the Salem Wal-Mart), and the yummy hot chocolate and coffee (*donated by Starbucks). We had a great time. We will definitely need to put Fishburn Park on our list for next year. An extra special thank you to Michael Overacker for presenting the game of Disc Golf and walking us through a couple of rounds.
An extra special group stayed after and helped us clean up and walked the trails looking for trash. Team KIVA has signed up to help with Clean Valley Day - April 5th! Please contact us and let us know if you would like to help out on that day. Let's let Roanoke City know how much we appreciate all the great free parks by helping them keep them clean.
Our next KIVA is already planned out for March 22nd. We will meet again at 1:00 PM. By the way, this is our winter time. Once the weather warms up, we will start meeting earlier. I know this is nap time for many of our crew. March 22nd, please join KIVA in welcoming Mr. Earl Morris of the Virginia Bluebird Society at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County. Mr. Morris will walk us around the park, showing us the bluebird houses along the trail, and teaching us about the life of the beautiful bluebird.
Speaking of walking, this day is also set aside for World Water Day. Please join us as we join people around the world focusing on the world's need for clean water resources. Our walk that day is registered with their website. Check here for our address:
http://www.worldwaterday.net/network/052/Daniel/Donahue
Join us then, make a memory with your child and make a difference in the world.
And as always, it's free!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Here we go again!
The weather outside is frightful...
Keep an ear on the forecast. Last call said it would clear up for us on Saturday.
I'll take that! We are really excited about meeting with you all again. Advance Auto Parts of Roanoke has donated 300 frisbees for KIVA! We will bring them along to share so that everyone gets to take something home. We will also be giving away a few Nalgene bottles donated to us by Nalgene themselves. Wal-Mart has donated hiking journals for each participant, as well. After a tour of the Disc Golf Course, we will be making hiking journals and heading out for some fun around Fishburn Park.
A special thanks to The Roanoke Times for announcing the KIVA meeting for us and chosing us again for a Hot Pick this Saturday.
Come prepared to make a memory with your child.
Keep an ear on the forecast. Last call said it would clear up for us on Saturday.
I'll take that! We are really excited about meeting with you all again. Advance Auto Parts of Roanoke has donated 300 frisbees for KIVA! We will bring them along to share so that everyone gets to take something home. We will also be giving away a few Nalgene bottles donated to us by Nalgene themselves. Wal-Mart has donated hiking journals for each participant, as well. After a tour of the Disc Golf Course, we will be making hiking journals and heading out for some fun around Fishburn Park.
A special thanks to The Roanoke Times for announcing the KIVA meeting for us and chosing us again for a Hot Pick this Saturday.
Come prepared to make a memory with your child.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Looking forward...
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!
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!
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!
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