Muddy Boots Providing Nature Fun for Families
Most children get only four to seven minutes of unstructured time outdoors each day. Four to seven MINUTES! Outdoor play is essential for kids’ mental, physical, and emotional health, and I see that in my own kids. Not only is my sanity at stake when they don’t have the opportunity to get their energy out, but they also thrive when they can run, explore, try new things, and develop their connection to our planet. I looked around and saw that many Des Moines families are trying to find new ways to get their young families outside and in nature, and that is why I created Muddy Boots Forest Camp!
About Muddy Boots
Muddy Boots provides families and young children opportunities to enjoy nature together through guided outdoor events and activities. We help foster new social connections as well; families often forge new friendships during these outdoor experiences. Our leaders guide a variety of programming, providing loose structure as kids play together, learn from each other, and engage with the natural world around them.
The Des Moines area has wonderful parks to explore; they’re natural playgrounds for rich sensory experiences that help kids gain confidence in their own abilities and grow their relationships with nature. We use these parks year-round for all kinds of adventures! Families can join us on a regular basis for events like our hike and read class called Boots and Books, our 3-and-under music class called Boots and Beats, and our Mud Buddies nature exploration class. We also host special holiday-themed events, such as our Valentine’s Day Hike and Craft coming up on February 13, upcoming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events, and a return of our popular Halloween Hike and Hunt.
Find details and sign up for our upcoming activities here.
Looking for some winter fun? Join us in February for our BINGO Challenge! Go outside and complete fun tasks (like bring a friend on a hike or enjoy a favorite hot beverage outdoors), and your family just might win fun, outdoorsy prizes ranging in value from $10 up to $125! Families can earn entries into our prize drawing for each BINGO they have on their card – up to 5 entries. The BINGO cards will be on our website in late January; sign up for the Muddy Boots Insiders newsletter on our website or follow us on Facebook/Instagram now to get notified when it’s available.
Then, find out if you’ve won the Challenge at our Open House on March 4 at Walnut Woods State Park Lodge! Not only will we draw winners from the BINGO Challenge and help you get to know our team and mission a little better, you’ll be able to secure your spot in our exciting new spring and summer events by taking advantage of priority registration! You can also enter to win door prizes and keep the kids busy with some fun indoor activities. Stop in anytime between 11am-7pm.
(Any remaining slots in our spring programming will open for regular registration on our website on March 6.)
Questions? Please reach out on social media, or email Kate Courtney at muddybootsforestcamp@gmail.com.
Read more about why reconnecting children with nature is so important to their health.
