by Bonnie McNett
CMH School is excited to participate in the 2015 Great Outdoor Weekend (G.O.W.) for the fifthĀ consecutiveĀ year. Ā TheĀ weekend of September 26th and 27th, is expected to draw 10,000 people to take part in one or more of the free outdoor events coordinated by dozens ofĀ organizations acrossĀ greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, and eastern Indiana. Ā TheĀ G.O.W.Ā strives toĀ promote outdoor activities that are accessible, engaging, 
educational and open to the public.
Veronica Brannen, school naturalist, is again heading up the event for CMH School.Ā Ā “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Great Outdoor Weekend and helping to make natureĀ accessible, fun and engaging for the whole family. Ā We’ll have several hikes, a marshmallow roast, children’s story time, and water samples to examine with microscopes” states Brannen.
The programs being offered at CMH School on Sunday, September 27th include:
- Wallaby Encounter and Bearded Dragon chat – Pet an adorableĀ AustralianĀ wallaby and learn about a reptile called a bearded dragon (11:30am till 1:30pm).
- Tales from the Outback Story Time Ā – Story and craft about the Australiaās native animals for toddlers (1:30 pm).
- Paint your own T-Shirt – Ā Shirt painting usingĀ natural objects such as leaves, twigs, and flowers to create a colorful shirt using fabric paint. Ā Participants supply shirts (9:30am till 2:30pm).
- Touch Station & Native Animal Encounter – Get up close and personal with nativeĀ amphibians, reptiles,Ā mollusks, and insects (9am till 3pm).
- Pond Exploration – Use microscopes and nets, collect water samples and learn about insects and protozoa found in aquatic environments (noon till 3pm).
- Hike and Scavenger Hunt – Join a naturalist to discover and identify butterflies, songbirds, reptiles,Ā and native plants (three hikes – 9:30am, 11am and at 2pm).
- Marshmallow Roast – Families are invited to gather and socialize around a crackling campfire. Ā Vegan and regular marshmallows provided (11am till 3pm).
- Birds and Bugs Story Time – Story and craft about birds, butterflies, moths and ladybugs for toddlers (10am)
“We are thrilled to be a part of such a great community building event,” says Casey Reed, school Director. Ā “Our eight acre campus has woods, a pond, and grassy areas and really lends itself to a nature based event like this. Ā Our school is one of only five Ohio State Certified Wild School sites in the tri-county area. Ā Our school helps develop students with high nature I.Q.’s and we look forward to having our students share their outdoor knowledge with Loveland residents and with people from the greater Cincinnati area.”
CMH School has events that are open to the public happening throughout the day onĀ Sunday, September 27Ā beginning at 9:00 a.m. Ā CMH School is located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road. Ā More information on the school activities can be found at:Ā http://cmhschool.comĀ orĀ https://www.facebook.com/events/1578025965793505/.
In addition to CMH School, Loveland has several other local organizations that are participating the G.O.W., including Granny’s Garden School, the Izaak Walton League, and Little Miami Inc. Ā For more information about the Great Outdoor Weekend visit:Ā www.cincygreatoutdoorweekend.org.
Participate in theĀ Wallaby Encounter and Bearded Dragon chat happening from 11:30am till 1:30pm. Ā Visitors can pet an adorableĀ AustralianĀ wallaby and learn about a reptile called a bearded dragon on September 27 at CMH School, located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.
Children and adults can use a microscope to examine and learn about insects and protozoa found in aquatic environments (noon till 3pm). Ā This event is part of the Great Outdoor Weekend onĀ September 27 at CMH School, located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.
Toddlers can learn about birds at the Toddler Story time happening at 10am and again at 1:30pm. Ā These events are part of the Great Outdoor Weekend onĀ September 27 at CMH School, located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.
Participants can enjoy the fun of shirt painting usingĀ natural objects such as leaves, twigs, and flowers to create a colorful shirt using fabric paint. Ā Participants supply plain shirts for the event happeningĀ September 27 fromĀ 9:30am till 2:30pmĀ at CMH School, located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.
