Tag Archives: Juneteenth Info

Take a hike and take in the spectacular views at Great Falls

1. I just learned that it’s Black Hikers Week, so I’m highlighting the round-up of local walks in the woods (which includes a couple of new additions) with a rec to hit the trail at Great Falls — you just can’t beat the scenery there, and lighter crowds on weekdays makes for easier social distancing. But no matter where you go, it should be a great day to be outdoors (until about 4pm when t-storms are in the forecast).

2.  The National Children’s Museum has some new virtual offerings: STEAM Daydream is a monthly podcast, where each month, curious kids ages 8 to 11 interview STEAM innovators and experts from across the country for answers to their burning questions. Head in the Clouds is a 20-minute virtual field trip designed to hone observation and categorization skills, getting budding scientists are inspired to think about the weather, and ask questions by looking at the sky. And coming in July is Camp Dream Out Loud, an online STEAM summer camp  for kids in grades 1st through 5th.

3. Join President Lincoln’s Cottage for a free Virtual Family Game Night this evening at 7pm. be prepared with a broom, pencil, and bowl — these objects will be turned into games that spark brave ideas. Recommended for ages 5+, be sure to register through the link.

4. DC Dept. of Parks and Recreation is providing free Grab & Go Meals for DC kids who need them Monday – Saturday, 10am – 2pm. Find a list of available meal sites here.

5. The Story of DC’s Black Broadway on U Street.

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Beach day at Calvert Cliffs State Park

1. DC begins Phase 2 of reopening today. This means playgrounds and fields will reopen, restaurants and stores can operate at 50% indoor capacity, summer camps can begin (with restrictions), gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, and gyms can reopen. Get more details in this Washingtonian article.

2. I’ve been holding off on recommending an outing to Calvert Cliffs State Park, because the beach area was closed for awhile, and when it finally opened, the park was reaching capacity quickly, so some visitors had to be turned away. But now that more places are reopening, that hopefully that won’t happen quite as much. We enjoyed a great day there yesterday for Father’s Day, despite not finding a single shark tooth. (We usually don’t find a lot there, but had never before gone home totally empty-handed.) It’s a two-mile hike to the beach, but a lovely one — on the edge of woods and marshland — and flat and mellow, so little ones can tackle it. Entry to the park is $8/vehicle, and it’s open sunrise to sunset. (Note: If the park is full, and you can’t get in, head a few minutes down the road to Annmarie Sculpture Garden to see the fairy houses and play in the delightful Fairy Lolly.)

3. Nat Geo on how to keep kids safe as places reopen.

4. Justice in June, a website that began as a Google doc created by two friends, has detailed suggestions on how to be a better ally to the black community with suggested plans and resources that take just 10, 25, or 45 minutes a day to do or read.

5. Beyonce’s Black Parade and her directory of Black owned businesses.

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