Don’t be fooled: The transition from summer to fall doesn’t have to mean a transition from outside to inside. Just ask the parents – and kids – signed up for Nature Babes, Concord Parks and Recreation’s program that takes you out into the woods.
Led by trails buff Erin Girzone, the group is all about having fun outside with your baby (ages 6 weeks to 4 years). The group meets at a different Concord walking trail each week (Thursday mornings at 10:30) to embark on an easy, hourlong trek through the woods.
The plan was for me to bring my own baby to this walk, which was at Marjory Swope Park, but Julia was battling a cough and runny nose and decided against it. Thankfully, Girzone was nice enough to let me tag along anyway and see what it was all about.
This particular crew consisted of five parents (six including Girzone, and seven including me, but I didn’t bring my baby so I don’t count) and seven kids, and everyone was friendly right off the bat. By the time we were 100 paces into the woods, everyone was chatting up a storm and exchanging baby stories.
The pace was light and easy – after all, everyone is there with their baby (most being carried in back or front packs), so there’s no real need to race through the trail. Then, after about a half hour, everyone takes a break for snacks, drinks, diapers – whatever may be called for. Then, it’s another half hour back down to the parking area.
The only real rules are that kids, if walking, must stay within sight of an adult at all times, and everyone must leave the trail the same way they found it.
If you think you can handle that, contact Parks and Rec at 225-8690 to sign up. And hurry – there are only five weeks left.
