A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
Please forward this email to friends,
and invite them to sign up here:
Nature Journaling for the Entire Family
One does not have to be a gifted artist to enjoy nature journaling and to produce a delightful record of observations over the years. A friend's journals span about 50 years of drawings, comments, paintings and her changing interests. It's a trip to peruse her first sketches created in her eighth year, and to follow her skills growth in drawing and verbal descriptions along her journey. Spring is a great time to begin this with the family. If you don't fancy yourself an artist, try pretending you're making a drawing for a biology class. Put on your detail glasses and move that pencil!
How to Teach Nature Journaling "has developed 31 activities that engage learners of all ages in nature journaling and outdoor learning. Some activities offer opportunities for learners to build a specific set of journaling skills, while others focus their observations on a specific part of the natural world. The activities have been designed to offer structure and support to guide students’ observations and journaling, along with opportunities for student choice and autonomy. Discussion questions included in activity offer a range of ways to deepen learning and reflection.

Check out Introducing Journaling Activities and Supporting Student Engagement During Journaling Activities for strategies to successfully facilitate journaling activities. See their Teaching Support page for ideas on integrating journaling activities into longer lessons and learning experiences."

Enjoy the journaling, Parmalee
Let’s go through Differently Wired together!
"Last year I ran a live, 4-week, free virtual book club to go through my book Differently Wired with a group of readers. We had a great time connecting and exploring what it takes to help our families thrive. I’ve decided to do it again and I’m hoping you’ll be a part of it!

You can get all the details here, but here’s the TL/DR:
  • Participation is FREE (entry ticket is buying or already having a copy of Differently Wired)
  • Four weekly meet-ups starting Monday, April 24th at 7pm ET
  • Recordings of all calls available through July 31
  • Includes a downloadable 62-page workbook​
  • ​4 Mondays 4pm, starting April 24
Whether you haven’t read Differently Wired yet or you have but could use a refresh, I’ve love for you to join me. ​Click here to register.

Please share with others who might be interested, or invite a friend to do it with you (accountability buddy)! There’s something so powerful about going through the book together with a group of like-minded humans working to embrace their differently wired kids. I hope to see you there!
With gratitude, Debbie
Always check for new posts!
PUFFS – Harry Potter Parody by All About Theatre, Friday, April 28th – 7pm; Saturday April 29th – 2pm & 7pm; Friday, May 5th – 7pm; Saturday, May 6, 2pm & 7pm, All About Theatre proudly presents PUFFS, a Harry Potter parody two-act play that will leave you rolling in your seats! Details
Fall Creek After Fire | Free Walk, Saturday, April 29, 10am – 12pm, Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a guided walk of the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in partnership with California State Parks and the Mountain Parks Foundation. We’ll explore how the landscape has responded to fire, from redwood trees to wildflowers, and banana slugs to birds, as well as consider the future of this landscape. Details
Teddy Bear Clinic, Saturday, April 29, 11:30am - 4:30pm, Join the MOD for their oh-so-popular Teddy Bear Clinic created to help children cope with getting vaccinations. We’ve hosted this event before and it was a success! Children are encouraged to bring their own stuffed animal to the event. Details
Explore the San Lorenzo River and Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin, Saturday, April 29, 11am – 12:30pm, Have you ever wondered how streams are still flowing in the late summer months here in the Santa Cruz Mountains? Or where our local water comes from and how it supports different native species? During this 1.5 hour program, you will get answers, meander down the San Lorenzo River, and learn more about the watershed, local groundwater, and the species that depend on them (including humans!). Details
Family Power Boundary Skills for Ages 7 – 12 with Their Adults, Sunday, April 30, 12 – 1, Boundary skills help people of all ages have more fun and fewer problems with people – including friends and family members!  Details
Food Truck Fridays Skypark, 4th Fridays, 5 – 8pm, starting April 28, Food Truck Friday returns with lots of excitement, more food vendors, the fabulous SVEF Beer & Wine Garden & amazing Live Music! Details
Kennolyn Day Camp Open House, Sunday, April 30, 1 – 4pm, Come for a tour of our secluded summer day camp with 450 acres of private redwoods to explore. Meet the Director and learn about programs tailored for each age level from 5-16. RSVP required: Details
Head for the Sandhills, April Sundays 10am – 12pm and 1 – 3pm
Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Watsonville, Sunday, May 1, 12 - 5pm, Main Plaza of Watsonville, The event, put on by Fiestas Patrias de Watsonville and La Alianza Del Valle Pajaro, will feature live mariachi music, traditional Mexican food and fun activities for kids. It is a non-alcoholic and family-friendly event.
Parenting Workshops, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! April
ALL Family-friendly events!