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Garden State of Mind continued

They are invited to Brookfield Zoo and games; and listen to stories. Nature Play Conservation Science Scholars (for high
to nearby museums and nature centers. ZAP! young learners are enjoying the school students) and pursue academic
Families also are invited to participate in opportunity to play in the natural study and careers in the sciences. Now,
Conservation Action Days outdoors in world, following their own distinct with Nature Play ZAP!, children will
Chicago and in the Cook County Forest creative paths.” be getting an even earlier start on
Preserves. All field trip transportation, developing a solid science base, along
admissions, and lunches are provided Sustaining Growth with caring attitudes toward nature
free to participants. that will prepare them to meet the
Though still in its first year, Nature Play environmental challenges of their futures.
Tending the Garden ZAP! caregivers have already noticed
results. They have seen improvements “I can’t stress enough how important
Caregivers of children ages 1 to 5 can in their children’s fine motor skills and it is that programs like this are sustained,”
find Nature Play ZAP! in seven locations. ability to participate in group activities. Hope says. “Only through continuous
Toddlers are mastering number concepts support can families of underserved
Four programs are held at the same like measurement and are more curious communities have access to consistent
time and place where ZAP! for older and excited to explore the natural STEM enrichment and reap the benefits
children already has been established. world. They also express more concern of that exposure. █
Additional Nature Play ZAP! programs about animals.
have debuted on Chicago’s South Children participate in an activity during a
Side—in Englewood at the I Grow While these are great experiences Cicero Public Library ZAP! session.
Chicago Peace House, in Fuller Park for toddlers to have, they also create an
at Eden Place Nature Center, and the important foundation for the years to
Canaryville branch of the Chicago come. Many ZAP! participants continue
Public Library. These neighborhood to participate in Society programs
programs collaborate with local and activities like Zoo Explorers Club
daycare centers and preschools to draw (for middle school students) and King
participants.

Shelly Hope, the Society’s
SCIENCES community relations
coordinator who oversees the new
Nature Play ZAP! programs in
Englewood and Fuller Park, is excited
and optimistic about the new program
and partnerships. “It’s important that
we reach into neighborhoods like
Englewood and Fuller Park that face
tremendous obstacles every day. We
bring our own expertise and rely heavily
on the wisdom of the community about
what will work best. This partnership
has been unimaginably inspiring already.”

Since Nature Play ZAP! piloted
last fall, 158 children already have
participated. “They love discovering new
things on their own,” Hope says. “They
are positively giddy as they plunge their
hands into our bean bin; investigate
the textures and scents of pine cones
and needles; manipulate seashells,
pumpkins, and pebbles; devise their own

24 GATEWAYS | GARDEN STATE OF MIND