4-H Leadership

Leadership, the traits may feel natural, but it never hurts to practice early and often

As a Brand Manager, parents often ask me how they can help their children prepare for leadership. Of course school and sport leadership positions are great, but I am also thankful for my experience in 4-H. The 4-H pledge =

Head (think clear)
Heart (be loyal)
Hands (give service)
Health (live healthy lifestyle)

It's a national club for boys and girls age 8 to 18. There's a local, county, state, and national level and many choices in projects. For example, over 10 years I learned and demonstrated in photography, stencil painting, creative stitchery, drawing and painting, cooking, gardening, recycling, child development, and more.
Others showed animals, wood working, etc.

Every year you set and write your own goals, you learn, show results at the fair, get judged, teach others through demonstrations, record results, and get rewarded if you have above average results. Senior members are expected to coach younger members. Senior members get elected or chosen for leadership positions based upon past performance. Business friends, is this process sounding familiar???

Ask me about being a camp counselor, the "I Dare You Award", and the leadership conference at the White House/National Congress. And for your kids, check out the 4-H club near you.

Animal Lesson #1: 7 Whale Watching Tours

Ohana, it means family in the Hawaiian language. I visited Hawaii to see family and more – waterfalls, rainbows, whales, canyons, volcanic rock, canyons and mountains, and more fish than I can count.  This is a photo taken from our cruise ship touring from one Hawaiian island to another.  We also enjoyed seeing whales from a cruise deck in Glacier Bay, Alaska.  We were the first set of cruise ships in the season, early June.  Tourists see whales through August.

You don't need to fly to an island or take a large cruise ship to show your kids whales.  Here's seven options in descending order from most expensive to least:

1.   Kodiak Island, Alaska, gray whales in April, humpback whales in June to Nov.
Kodiak Adventures Unlimited requires minimum number of passengers and $180 each (approx. $720 for family of four) for 3 hour tour or $240 for 5 hours; at this price, consider a major cruise.  We sailed on Holland America and loved watching for marine animals for seven days.

2.  San Juan Islands, Washington, orcas (killer whales & technically dolphins)
San Juan Safaris in Harbor, WA, - family of 4 approx. $262: $79 adult, $52 children, April to Oct.

3.  Long Island, NY, fin, humpback, minke, sperm, blue and sei whales, July through Labor Day
American Princess Cruises (Rockaway Queens NY), Riis Landing only on specific dates; $48 adult and $33 child - family of 4 approx. $162

4.  Santa Barbara, CA, gray whales and 26 other types of whales and dolphins, Feb. to April
Condor Express early spring coast cruise for 2.5 hours - family of 4 approx. $160; $50 adult, $30 children, more expensive longer cruises (4.5 hours) in fall and winter for $99

5.  Provincetown, Massachusetts, critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, March to Oct.

Captain John Boats (Provincetown) includes marine biologist giving talks on 4 hour tour; $47 adult, $31 child - family of four approx. $156

6.   Cape May, NJ, humpback and finback in March
Cape May Whale Watcher (Cape May, NY); 2.5 hour whale and dolphin watch $35 adult and $25 child includes comp continental breakfast - family of 4 approx. $120; 3 hour tour with no food $40 adult

7.  Virginia, VA, fin whales during winter
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center; aquarium experts share research and conservation stories while watching for whales on the Atlantic Explorer; 2-2.5 hour trip $28 adult and $24 child - family of 4 approx. $104

State Park #2: Hocking Hills State Park, Logan Ohio - geology lessons

Get out of the house and go explore and you will see majestic cliffs, waterfalls, gorges, and more. Especially if you drive to Hocking Hills State Park. I've been to a lot of State Parks, but none like this one in Ohio.  While hiking, you have time to discuss geological processes.  Gorges are mainly formed because of the flow of water or lava.  Smaller than canyons, gorges still have deep, narrow valleys with a river or stream running.  Even easier than creating your own science lesson, check out the park schedule for educational talks hosted by naturalists. 

Besides admiring the rocks, go on a hunt for waterfalls.  This photo shows Cedar Falls, the largest in terms of water volume.  From the photo, it's difficult to tell size.  It spans 50 feet with water cascading between limestone and ending in a pool.  I'd also recommend the waterfall at Ash Cave.  You'll be impressed with the size of the 700-foot long cave.

Gorges make beautiful scenery for a hike with your family.  Two of the top three parks winning the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Award Best State Park rating have well known gorges:

1) Letchworth State Park (Castile, New York) rated #1:  includes Genesee River Gorge, sometimes referred as "Grand Canyon of the East"
2) Watkins Glen State Park (New York) rated #3:  includes Gorges of Finger Lakes, 200 foot cliffs, 19 waterfalls, part of the Finger Lake State Parks

Readers rated Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan as the #2 state park.

Here's 9 Other gorges you could visit with your family:
1.  Quechee Gorge, Vermont: (Quechee State Park):  deepest gorge in Vermont, view from US Route 4 bridge
2.  Bluestone River Gorge, West Virginia: canyon land around the Bluestone National Scenic River and protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (est. 1988)
3.  Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico: approx. 50 mile gorge beginning near the Colorado border, part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument (designated 2013)
4.  Avalance Gorge, Avalanche Cree, Montana:  narrow chasms near the falls within Glacier National Park
5.  Linville Gorge, North Carolina: part of the Pisgah National Forest and sourced by Linville River, also claims "Grand Canyon of the East"
6.  Bad River Gorge, Wisconsin (Copper Falls State Park): walls can tower up to 100 feet above the river bed, watch for flash floods
7.  Cathedral Gorge, Nevada near Panaca, Nevada: (Cathedral Gorge State Park) established 1935, early construction included picnicking facilities built by the Civilian Conservation Corps
8.  Malad Gorge, Idaho; (Malad Gorge State Park):  narrow steel walk way across the gorge
9.  Columbia Gorge, Oregon Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area: managed by the Columbia River Gorge Commission and the US Forest Service, 80 mile canyon up to 4,000 feet deep and spans Oregon and Washington

Geography #2: Honduras, Dolphin Kisses, and 5 Dolphin Experiences

Dolphins Play in Roatan, Honduras; Photo by Krenda

Highly intelligent, social, and playful, it's no wonder kids love dolphins.  Dolphins live in groups, playing and hunting fish and squid together.  Dolphins mostly live in shallow areas of tropical and temperate oceans.  They are mammals, so they need to come to the surface of the water to breath.  It is such a joy to see a dolphin dive out of the water or make synchronized moves with other dolphins.

Kids tend to be most familiar with the bottlenose dolphin, one of the dolphins in the whale family.  Chinese River Dolphin, Indus River Dolphin, and Killer Whale have endangered status.  We donate to the Defenders of Wildlife, a BBB Accredited Charity.  According to the Defenders of Wildlife, dolphins use echolocation to find prey, ie they locate objects by reflecting sound.  Bats also use echolocation.  Did you know that dolphins can hear frequencies 10 times the upper limit of adult humans?  Dolphins have well-developed sense of touch, but not smell.

Anthony's Key Resort

If your kids want to touch a dolphin, consider splurging on a dolphin encounter.  We gave our kids a dolphin experience at Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras.  The dolphins are very friendly and the trainers teach the kids about the dolphins.  Bottlenose dolphins tend to only be 8 feet in length and weigh 440-660 lbs.  Despite their weight, they are highly agile and move with grace.  If you go direct the Dolphin Encounter costs $89 or Dolphin action swim for $139.  We may have paid more by booking through the cruise line.  Prices always vary and change, so look up the websites.

You don't need to travel to Honduras to touch a dolphin.  Here's five dolphin experiences in the United States:

1.  Miami Seaquarium, Key Biscayne, FL, Dolphin Encounter ($165, age 5-9 $125, observer $53), 30 minutes includes shake hands, share a kiss, and try out training signals, it does not include swimming, options Dolphin Odyssey with dorsal pull start at $110, Seal Swim start at $110, Penguin Encounter start at $105, Trainer for a Day $495, general admission ($46, age 3-9 $36)

2. Sea World San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas Dolphin Encounter ($194), entrance fee $69 + Swimming with the dolphins (or beluga or sea lions) $125 at Discovery Points Dolphin Lagoon, must be 48 inches or taller

3.  Dolphin Research Center, Marathon, FL ($199+reservation fee) Dolphin Encounter includes 20-25 minute swim/dorsal pull for age 5 and up, paying adult must accompany child age 5-7, alternatives Meet the Dolphin (touch at dock) $50, Paint with a Dolphin ($65), Play with the Dolphin at dock ($85), Dolphin Splash ($139), Trainer for the Day ($695), general admission ($28 adult, $23 age 4-12) includes educational theater, accredited by Alliance of Marine mammal Parks & Aquariums

4.  Dolphin Quest Big Island, Hawaii ($265) for Encounter Deluxe for age five and up, options include Sunrise Dolphin Kayak $169, Underwater Adventure ($350), dolphins swim in four acre saltwater lagoon, accredited by Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and American Human Conservation certification

5. Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL ($390) dolphin swim and day resort $390 includes 30 minute dolphin swim; day resort ($280) + shark swim ($99) or ray feeding ($59)

A lower cost option than being in the water with the dolphins is looking for dolphins from a boat.  Take a trip from either US coast:

1) Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari, Dana Point Harbor, CA ($65 adult, age 1-12 $45), 2.5 hour boat ride, claims to tour in area with more dolphins per square mile than anywhere else and potential to see four types of dolphins

2) Dolphin Explorer, Marco Island, FL ($64 adult, $45 children), ride on a 30 foot catamaran in the Gulf of Mexico, Eco-Tour and cruise begins at 9AM and 1PM

We took this excursion as part of a Royal Caribbean cruise on the Navigator of the Sea.  The cruise began in Galveston, Texas and traveled to Roatan, Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel, Mexico.  A former Procter & Gamble co-worker and friend of mine recognized the resort.  In her case, they flew to Belize and stayed at Anthony's Key Resort.  Either way, you will certainly create a lifetime memory.

History Lesson #1: Casa Loma Castle in Canada

     Why not dream big? And dream big early.  Tour the Casa Loma castle or "House on the Hill" in Toronto, Canada for a business and history lesson of a dreamer.

     Sir Henry Pellatt left his studies at age 17 to pursue business. By age 23, he acted as a full partner in his father's stock brokerage firm Pellatt and Pellatt.  Henry founded the Toronto Electric Light Company in 1883. He acted as chairman of 21 countries by 1901.  Henry had his Gothic Revival style castle built with 98 rooms in 180,000 square feet including Sir Henry's Study, Sir Henry's Suite, The Conservatory, The Billiard Room, Lady Mary's Suite, Breakfast Nook, The Great Hall, The Library, The Oak Room, and a theatre.  The castle has served as a private home, nightclub, hotel, and now a public historical landmark you may tour.

Fun Facts:  $3.5 million and 3 years to build; 800 foot underground tunnel; 5 acre estate garden; 8 language choices available in the self guided audio tour

Tips:  Ticket price is high at approximately $30.  Consider the Toronto City Pass.  It costs more ($73 adult, $49 child), but the pass could save you overall if you visit multiple sites in Toronto. The pass includes entrance to multiple tourist attractions: 1) Casa Loma, 2) Royal Ontario Museum, 3) CN Tower, 4) Ontario Science Centre or Toronto Zoo, and 5) Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.

     Casa Loma gives Kindergarten to 8th Grade groups lower pricing ($10 each) and a variety of educational programs:  General History Tour, Armour and Weapons, How Does Your Garden Grow, An Edwardian Childhood, Enchanted Tales of Lore, Legend, & Magic, Medieval Studies Tour, Hollywood Tour (movies featured Casa Loma including X-Men, Strange Brew, Chicago, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), and Lady Pellatt's Lost Jewels Tour. 
 
     At only one month old, my son didn't soak in the historical stories.  He might have enjoyed the sunshine in the garden.  The gardens opened in 1990 and are included in the admission, thanks to the $1.5 million dollar renovation by The Garden Club of Toronto, The Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma, corporations, foundations, individuals, and the government.  Keep on growing, learning, and dreaming!

Geography #1: Honduras and Capuchin Monkeys

The white face capuchin monkeys jumped onto the head of a small boy and we all giggled with glee.  If you have an opportunity to visit Roatan, Honduras, consider visiting Gumbalimba park in West Bay instead of a full day at the beach.  Walk through their outdoor botanical gardens.  Have patience for a parrot to land on your shoulder.  Watch the capuchin monkeys swing from tree to tree.

As one of the most intelligent monkeys in the world, capuchin monkeys have been known to use tools as weapons and for getting food.  They even have been trained to assist paraplegic persons.  Social in nature, capuchins often live in troops of approximately 16 members.
Gumbalimba park in West Bay, Roatan, Honduras.

Capuchins are native to Central and South America.  However, if you want to take your kids to see monkeys in the United States, here's three sites:
 1) Gibbon Conservation Center (Santa Clarita, CA) opens 9:30 to Noon Sat. & Sun., offering tours at 10AM ($15 adult, $5 child age 6-12), volunteer opportunities for adminstrative work, kitchen, and landscaping
2) Monkey Jungle (Miami, FL) established in 1935, it now has 30 acres and approximately 90 Java monkeys; some monkeys may show their water skills as they wade into the pond; home of the DeMond Conservancy for Primates & Tropical Forests

Parents can also show their support by volunteering time or donating:
1) Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary (Gainsville, FL) sign up to volunteer for various tasks such as cleaning, feeding, or landscaping (7-11AM, 11-3PM, 3-7PM) cater to monkeys confiscated or retired from research, see capuchins, marmosets, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and tamarins

2) Born Free USA, a BBB accredited charity, includes a division "The Primate Sanctuary" supporting a 186 acre sanctuary near San Antonio, TX caring for 600 residents - baboons, macaques, and vervets

3) Primate Rescue Center, BBB accredited charity since 2000, located in central Kentucky

4) Primarily Primates USA (Bexar County, TX), BBB accredited charity

If you do visit Gumbalimba park, there's so much to do.  My husband took the canopy cables down from the mountain, using 17 stations and cables to meet me on the ground.                        Having ample time, my patience paid off as a parrot landed on my shoulder.  While the "pirate cave" onsite felt a bit commercial, the sandy white beach and clear blue water felt so natural.  We made friends and snorkeled to discover marine animals.

NPS #1 & Science: Niagara Falls National Park

Niagara Falls  Photo by Krenda

Rainbow intersects Niagara Falls

Driving through Canada to Niagara Falls with our two month baby made our son an early international traveler and national park visitor.  

Niagara Falls is listed as one of the 501 Must-Visit Natural Wonders because it's the best known falls.  The book comments on the sound too, "The local tribespeople call the falls 'onguiaahra', a 'thundering noise', which may seem like an understatement when you are faced with the sheer noise of almost 185,000 cubic m (6,600,000 cubic ft) of water roaring into the gorge every minute.  
     Glaciers melted and formed the Niagara Falls, a combination of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls) located in two countries.  Whether you visit in Canada or the United States, take the opportunity to get closer to the rushing water.  

My Youngest Tourist

According to 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Niagara Falls is a must see site and should be seen by boat too, "The classic way to view them, and also the best, is from aboard the Maid of the Mist, a sturdy 600-passenger boat that's the tenth in a same-name line of crafts, taking passengers right into the spray at the base of Horseshoe Falls since 1846."  We took the Maid of the Mist tour (adult $19.25, child age 6-12 years old $11.20, age 5 and under free) and experienced the sights and sounds of rushing water and appreciated the tour giving us raincoats.

Niagara Falls at Night

You may only spend a day around Niagara Falls.  I'd suggest visiting both day and night, so you can see the colored lights light up the falls at night too.  This is also recommended by Amazing Places to Take Your Kids, "Don't miss seeing Niagara Falls after dark, when powerful spotlights bathe the water in ever-changing colors."  On the US side, the falls are located within a national park, but the commercial surrounding area is very close and the competing bright lights and trinket stores could drive you to find less crowded natural sites.  

Not far away, you will find Whirlpool State Park.  Read my post "Science:  Niagara Falls Whirlpool and 9 Other Whirlpools" for more information.