By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews
YACHATS – Young adventure lovers have new territory to explore in nature and between the pages of a nifty new guide issued by the Yachats Chamber of Commerce.
The interactive Youth Outdoor Adventure Guide asks “tidepool detectives” to draw the critters they come across before moving on to describe the sights, sounds and smells found near trailside water sources. Then it’s time to categorize nature’s wonders by touch – rough, smooth, fuzzy and slimy.
And that is just the beginning.
The creative kid-sized pamphlet not only stretches the imagination and educates with gems like “wild bingo” and “forest finds” while inviting coloring in and outside the lines – it also leads to a pledge and a prized patch. And of course, no true explorer’s guide is complete without a colorful map.
The guide is a collaboration between Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Bobbi Price and artists at Dream Coast Media and Where the Wilds Are.
“We started working on it in May and it came out in July,” Price said. “It’s full of cues for kids to do things outside, anything to put the phone or tablet away.”
The goal of the “family activity book” greets explorers on the first page.
“… provides learning and connection to our trails, ocean and open spaces” with interpretive hikes, trail maps and historical education that includes the Amanda Trail enroute to imbuing a deeper understanding and connection to place.
The first run of 1,000 guides have been distributed at visitor’s centers up and down the coast and at hotels. A second printing is due out soon.
Once kids have completed the guidebook’s activities, they can stop in at a participating visitor’s center to take the Yachats Nature Explorers Pledge and receive their patch – a prized piece of artwork created by former Yachats resident David Danos.
“I feel like this ties into our sustainable tourism mission by helping to create connection to place in our next generation of travelers,” Price said.
“Every time I go to the visitors center the volunteers have a fun story of a family coming in to receive their patch,” Price said. “I feel like this ties into our sustainable tourism mission by helping to create connection to place in our next generation of travelers.”
We have been handing these out to the children of guests staying with us at The Overleaf Lodge & Spa and The Fireside Motel. I just love how excited they get when I show them the booklet and how many wonderful activities there are in it. Thank you Yachats Chamber of Commerce for distributing these and helping to create nature enthusiasts!