Take Your Mind Off the Heat with a New Discovery

Whether you’ve lived here for a year or your whole life, there’s always something new to discover in Richmond.
That’s one of the many charms that draw so many visitors to our city. Summer is a great time to take advantage of a looser schedule throw some new adventures into your family’s life.
I like to plan out a guide of what I’d like to do with the kids each summer. Since July is the meat of the time off from school, that’s a good place to start. I figure my kids need the first two weeks off just to sleep in, relax, and veg. Then it’s time to peel the coach potatoes from their video games and computers.
It’s important to start with either a single activity that will hook the whole lot of them, or choose a place that will grab their individual interests. If that fails, there’s always the promise of ice cream on the way home for anyone who doesn’t complain. The key is not to overuse this incentive. It’s also imperative that you follow through with your promise no matter what!
Dig in the dirt. There are plenty of inexpensive opportunities for preschoolers to get down and dirty around Richmond. Children can spend hours looking for worms and playing with them. Spend a Saturday morning learning basic gardening skills, or simply play in the mud.
Make a Discovery. Older children may take a bit more coaxing than simple dirt. They’re much more attached to all things electric and with screens. A bit of adventure and creatures may provide the hook you’re looking for. A dig in the ooze for insects, posing as a Swamp Thing around Cypress trees takes dirt to the next level. For the I’m-too-grown-up-to-get-muddy kids, offer a night-time hike in the woods looking for owls or tracking frogs. If the out of the ordinary is needed to up the ante, surely examining the eggs of a leech or the legs of a flea qualify. Too gross? Maybe learning what it takes to be a beekeeper may spark some interest.
To get the whole clan involved, try combining technology with the great outdoors. Geocaching blends a treasure hunt with a GPS. Your family can learn the basics in a GPS scavenger hunt, then extend the fun all summer long and beyond at other locations. Families can get started at geocaching.com to learn the ins and outs of the one of America’s fastest-growing outdoor hobbies. Through this portal to adventure, you can discover clues for 57 pages of geocaches in Richmond or plan an outing in another town on a daytrip or vacation.
Enjoy Music in the great outdoors. Richmond has a great tradition of free outdoor concerts. Run through a drive-through or pick up your favorite fried chicken for a free outdoor concert. No one has to cook! And even better, the kids can run off some energy before bedtime after the meal while you relax. Best of all, these great musicians can be heard for free!

Here are the details:
Worms! Worms! Worms! Learn to grow healthy plants with a little help from our garden friend, the worm. Make a worm compost bin to produce compost you can use on your plants at home. Ages 6-9 with an adult. Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Armour House, 343-3506, $6.
Gardening 101 Make your garden flourish with soil, a seed, and some love. Learn basic gardening skills to start your own garden at home. Ages 3-6. Saturday, July 11, 10-11 a.m., Walkerton Tavern, 501-5809. $6.
Junior scientists Join us for some toe-wiggling fun as we discover the properties of soil and water. Play clothes suggested. Ages 4-5. Sunday, July 12, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Three Lakes Nature Center, 262-5055, $6
Swamp Thing Investigate the knees of cypress trees, find strange fruit pods, or dig in the ooze for strange-looking insects. Ages 9-12. July 16, 9-11 a.m., Dutch Gap Conservation Area, 748-1623, $8
Hike and Hoot! Join us as we look and listen for owls while hiking the woodlands of Dorey Park. Afterwards, enjoy s’mores and story-telling around the fire. Ages 6-12. Friday, July 17, 7-9:30 p.m., Dorey Park, 501-5807, $6 with a paying adult.
Frogs and Dogs Learn about your hopping green neighbors and eat hot dogs roasted over a fire. Then enjoy the sunset while unwinding by the fire, playing some games, and potentially listening to the calls of the frogs around the lake. Bring a flashlight. Ages 6-12. Tuesday, July 28, 5-7 p.m., Three Lakes Park. 501-5807, $6, Registration of a paying adult is required.
It’s a Small World Explore and examine our world through a digital microscope. See huge blocks of salt, the eggs of a leech or the legs of a flea. Search the park or your home for small objects and examine them under the microscope. Ages 8-12. July 23, 9-10:30 a.m., Dutch Gap Conservation Area, 748-1623, $8
The not-so-secret life of bees Meet a local beekeeper to learn about the complex behavior of honeybee workers, drones and queen. Ages 10 and older. Tuesday, July 28, 6-8 p.m., Rockwood Park Nature Center, 748-1623, $8.
GPS Scavenger Hunt Join members of the Central Virginia Geocaching Association to learn how to use a GPS device and find caches in the park. Several GPS units available to borrow. For adults, families, and ages 6 and up with an adult. Tuesday, July 14, 6-8 p.m. Rockwood Park Nature Center, 748-1623, $8
Life at Headquarters For 62 days in 1862, the Dabbs House was transformed into a Civil War headquarters for General Robert E. Lee and his staff of seven. Learn about daily life at headquarters and Henrico’s role in Civil War history. For all ages. 652-3411. Thursday, July 9, 1-4 p.m. or Thursday, July 30, 1-4 p.m., Dabbs House, 652-3411. Free.

Kimberli Russ Vida has three children and an assortment of pets. You can write to her at kimberlivida@comcast.com.