Developing an ecotheology of critical hope in Cascadia
On day 3 of my Spaceship Earth class at Peace Village Newberg last week, we focused on water, soil, and pollution (see also day 1 and day 2). We watched the second part of the Stunning Views – From Earth to Universe and Back Again video. In the first part, it zooms out so that you eventually …
Continuing in my series on curricula for a day camp class for grade school kids (entering 2nd-6th grade), I'll share what I did for day 2 of "Spaceship Earth" at Peace Village Newberg. (Here's Day 1 if you missed it.) Day 2 of Spaceship Earth focused on the theme of food and waste. We did …
This past week I taught a class for grade school kids at Peace Village Newberg on the topic of "Spaceship Earth." Peace Village is an "international nonprofit that teaches the power of peace to children, families, and communities." We have had a Peace Village day camp at North Valley Friends Church in Newberg, OR for …
We visit the North Valley Friends Trail often! It's a great place to go to be outside without having to drive far from Newberg (or at all, if you walk or bike there). It's just north of Newberg, directly north of the Foothills neighborhoods on College St. The trail is about 3/4 of a mile …
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This summer, I've invited others to join me on Friday "hikes" or nature excursions around our small region. Part of this has to do with my church's current emphasis on getting to know our watershed so that we can better take care of the space around us. We can only love places that we know, …
Continue reading "Outdoors with Kids in Chehalem Valley: Champoeg Nature Play Area"
Well, sometimes when you go hiking with kids, you have to admit your failures...at least if you're me! So, we went hiking with my friend Lotus and K's friend N to Magness Memorial Tree Farm (which, by the way, is not a tree farm, but is a demonstration forest with hiking trails, a covered picnic area, …
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For our Friday adventure this week, K and I visited Bob & Crystal Rilee Park & Equestrian Trails, which is just east of Newberg on Parrett Mountain. According to the Chehalem Park & Recreation District blog, this has only been officially zoned as a park for a few months, although the purchase of the property and …
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The other day, for my sister's birthday, we decided to check out Miller Woods Conservation Area. None of us had ever been there before, and in fact I didn't even know it existed until recently when I started looking around for hikes in the area. This is a great location! 130 acres, it contains many …
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Over spring break, my kids and I decided to try the 4T Trail around Portland. 4T stands for train, trail, tram, and trolley, and it's a loop that takes you on a trail starting near the Oregon Zoo, up to Council Crest and across to Oregon Health Sciences University, where you catch the Portland Aerial …
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As spring begins and it's possible to get outside more often without freezing or getting soaked to the bone, I've been trying to spend more time outside with my kids. Therefore, I'm starting a new series here called "Outdoors with Kids in Chehalem Valley." If you have ideas for other nearby places to go, let …
Continue reading "Outdoors with Kids in Chehalem Valley: Harvey Creek Trail"
Cherice Bock 