‘Cub Tracks’ offers nature lessons
The city of Arcata Recreation Division is offering “Cub Tracks,” a nature connection program for children ages 4 to 6.
The program, led by instructor Brendan Clarke, is built on play, creativity and exploration, inviting nature to be the primary teacher. Through games, stories, wondering and the encouragement of their innate curiosity, children learn about where they live and the beyond-human neighbors all around them.
Cub Tracks participants can expect to have fun and meet other children their age. They will learn about local plants, birds, animals and how to deepen relationships with the natural world. Participants will explore different ecosystems from beaches to redwood forests and will develop coordination and teamwork through games, movement and group challenges, and have opportunities to practice life-long skills for connecting with place.
“Cub Tracks” will take place at Redwood Lounge and throughout the Arcata Community Forest. Session 1 starts Tuesday, Feb. 7, and the program runs through March 9. This fourweek session takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be no classes Feb. 21 to 23. The fee is $720 for Arcata residents or $732.50 for nonresidents.
Clarke is a Hapa father, educator, writer and guide. He holds an M.A.T. and a California Clear Teaching Credential. He has spent the past 15 years in education, and the last decade in nature-based education, ranging from children to teens and adults, including training other educators. He most recently served as codirector of The Ojai Foundation, an educational “social profit” in Southern California. He currently lives in McKinleyville with his wife, Shay, and son, Kian.
For more information about Clarke, visit his website at www.inspireed.org. For more information about the program, go to cityofarcata.org/rec or call 707-8227091.