by Bonnie McNett,
Children’s Meeting House Montessori School (CMH) is excited to participate in the 2016 Great Outdoor Weekend (G.O.W.) for the sixth consecutive year.  The weekend of September 24th and 25th, is expected to draw 10,000 people to take part in one or more of the free outdoor events coordinated by dozens of organizations across greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, and eastern Indiana.  The G.O.W. strives to promote outdoor activities that are accessible, engaging, educational and open to the public.
[pull_quote_left]Children’s Meeting House Montessori School will be bringing African Blackfooted Penguins for a visit![/pull_quote_left]Veronica Brannen, school naturalist, is again heading up the event for CMH School.  “CMH School is a perfect site for a visit during the Great Outdoor Weekend. With gardens, ponds, meadows, trails, bird feeding stations, and other features at our school, nature is made very accessible, fun and engaging for the whole family.  This year we are excited to partner with the Newport Aquarium as they will be bringing African Blackfooted Penguins for a visit!  Families can learn about these fascinating creatures as well as take a guided nature hike, explore the pond, plant a seed, try some outdoor yoga, enjoy a campfire with a marshmallow roast, and more,” states Brannen.
The programs being offered at CMH School on Sunday, September 25th include:
- Penguin Encounter: learn and pet African blackfooted penguins – noon – 1:00pm
- Butterflies, Moths, Wooly Bears, Oh My!: informative butterfly chat – 12:30 – 2:30pmÂ
- Seed Planting: plant native seeds to take home – 10am – 3pm
- Nature Hike & Scavenger Hunt: two hour long hikes – 11am and again at 2pmÂ
- Campfire & Marshmallow Roast: enjoy complimentary marshmallows – noon – 3pm
- Pond Exploration: use microscopes to examine pond water – noon – 3pmÂ
- Yoga & Nature: two outdoor yoga classes – 10am and again at 1:00pm
- Penguin Story Time: story time for toddlers and preschoolers – 1:30 pm
- Touch Station & Native Animal Encounter: learn about native reptiles, insects and amphibians – 10am – 3pm
“We are thrilled to be a part of such a great community building event,” says Casey Reed, school Director. Â “Our seven acre campus has woods, a pond, and grassy areas and really lends itself to a nature based event like this. Â We are one of only five Ohio State Certified Wild School sites in the tri-county area. Â 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 on Sunday, September 25th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  CMH School is located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.  More information on the school activities can be found at: http://cmhschool.com or https://www.facebook.com/events/1621536318159054/.
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. Â For more information about the Great Outdoor Weekend visit:Â www.cincygreatoutdoorweekend.org.
Families can learn about and interact with an African black footed penguin at 12pm.  This event is part of the Great Outdoor Weekend on September 25 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).  This event is part of the Great Outdoor Weekend on September 25 at CMH School, located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.
Toddlers can learn about penguins and other birds at the Toddler Story time happening at 1:30pm.  These events are part of the Great Outdoor Weekend on September 25 at CMH School, located just east of downtown Loveland, at 927 O’Bannonville Road.
