By: Patrick Troyer, Paulding SWCD
Are you and your family tired of being stuck in the house this winter? Are you looking for something fun to do in order to get out of the house? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then do we have the right answer to beat the cabin fever so many of us have this time of the year. Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be hosting its 3rd Annual “A Winter Day Outdoors” from 10am to 12:30pm on February 1st at the Black Swamp Nature Center building located at 753 Fairground Drive in Paulding.
No matter what the weather may bring, there will be activities inside and outside that will be sure to break the wintertime blues. Do you love going for a stroll through the woods? One activity that participants will be able to enjoy is a winter scavenger hunt walk through the trails of the Black Swamp Nature Center and see the calm and rest that the winter season brings to the great outdoors. If we are lucky enough to have snow on the ground, you will also be able to take part in sledding on the hills at the Nature Center and even be able to make a snowman!
Disc golf will be yet another option for the community to take part in during this fun filled day. Thanks to the students of Paulding High School, the Black Swamp Nature Center bears a 3-hole disc golf course for the community to enjoy. There will be some frisbees available but be sure to bring some of your own to have fun in a hearty round of disc golf. Course maps will be available inside the nature center building.
Community members may also be sure to enjoy fun skating on the pond behind the Nature Center building, weather permitting. There will be some ice skates available to borrow, although participants are asked to bring a pair of their own. There are some tips to keep in mind with ice skating such as:
• Beware of ice around partially submerged objects, such as trees, logs, brush, or embankments.
• Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges, slushy areas and dark areas that signify thinner ice.
Inside the Nature Center building there will be winter themed activities for the kids to take part in along with coffee and hot chocolate to warm you up. Kids will be able to learn about and see the animal fur collection of the Paulding SWCD or make some snow, just to name a few activities. Another inside activity will be making bird treats that will then be set outside for the many bird species of the Black Swamp Nature Center to enjoy. You can also warm up outside by a nice fire and even roast some marshmallows for those with a sweet tooth.
Around 11:45, a light lunch will be provided to all who come an enjoy the day. Homemade cookies will also be available as a snack thanks to the generosity of Kathy Sanderson. All activities as part of this day are free of charge to all who attend and unplug from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
These are just a few of the fun activities you and your family can enjoy! Stay tuned to our Facebook page “Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District” for the latest updates and details regarding the day. Be sure to join us on February 1 from 10am to 12:30pm at the Black Swamp Nature Center building in Paulding for some great free family fun!
