1. Contact: Alex Parrott FEATURE STORY
Tel: 555.555.1234 April 14, 2015
Cell: 555.555.1234
Email: alexandra.parrott@mavs.uta.edu
TURN YOUR KIDS INTO HAPPY HIKERS
5 TIPS ON HIKING WITH YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER
FORT WORTH, APRIL 14 -- With the end of the school year and the beginning
of summer right around the corner, finding something to keep the kids busy is crucial.
Video games and television are great for a few weeks but then what? Hiking is a great
way to spend time with the family and get united with nature, and with these tips your
kids will be sure to love every second.
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge offers over 3,600 acres and 20 miles of
family friendly hiking trails. As well as educational programs, canoe tours, and other
organized family activities, the Nature Center makes a great choice for your family's
summer hang out.
 Keep it family-friendly. The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge offers
cleared, easy-to-hike trails for those of all ages. Children will be sure to
love hiking through the reserve to see what critters they can spot. Try
making a game out of the hike. Make a list of all the possible animals,
birds, or plants they might see and when they do, check them off. If they
reach a certain number, maybe some ice cream is in favor?
 Remember anything can happen. Though safety is always a top priority
at the Nature Center, there is always a possibility of someone getting hurt.
Make sure preparation happens before it's needed. Bring a backpack full
of necessities such as: bottled water, sunscreen, snacks, band-aids,
antibacterial cream, hand sanitizer, pain relievers, and any medicine that
might be needed in an emergency. Finding a place to meet and ensuring

2. everyone knows how to get there in case you're separated from your child
is crucial as well.
 Plan for an entire day. It is safe to say kid's do not have the longest
attention spans. There are a lot of things that nature has to offer and you
want your kids to be able to enjoy all of them without feeling rushed. Take
the time to slow down and enjoy it with them. Prepare an entire day to go
out, do some hiking, explore a little bit, and spend some quality time with
your children seeking out everything the Nature Center has to offer.
 Dress for the occasion. Proper attire for everyone in the family is
important. Walking in flip flops for a mile can turn into a nightmare
quickly. Ensure that everyone is dressed properly for a hike. Caps,
sunglasses, T-shirts or tank-tops, shorts, and tennis shoes or hiking boots
would be the best choices for spending a day at the FWNC&R. Make sure
the sunscreen is loaded up so you don't end up with any burnt babies!
 Keep going. Utilize the Nature Center's 20 miles of hiking trails maybe
once or twice a month for a great and fun way to get some family time into
your kid's summer vacation. Spending time outside together is a perfect
bonding opportunity and can teach your kids so much. You might even
learn some new things too.
According the National Wildlife Federation, "the average American child spends 44
hours a week staring at some kind of electronic screen." Getting kids outside more often
is crucial. "Researchers at University of Illinois report findings that indicate exposure to
natural settings in the course of common after-school and weekend activities may be
"widely effective" in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children." Along with
hiking, the Nature Center offers many different programs for children to participate in
over the summer that they are to sure to have a blast doing.

3. A query sent to the Star Telegram.
To whom it may concern,
Studies by the National Library of Medicine have found that "green outdoor settings
appear to reduce ADHD symptoms in children." It has also shown that it makes children
more friendly. So why aren't more children playing outside instead of playing video
games or watching television?
An article that focuses on tips to get children to spend more time outside would appeal to
parents all over the DFW area. Advising ways to spend quality time with their children
outdoors will get parent's definite attention.
Such an article will include advice on how to have a successful hiking trip with children
as long as data and statistics that show why spending time outdoors will benefit them.
Are you interested in the article I have written? If so, contact me at xxx.xxx.xxxx.
I have written several articles for classes I have taken, as well as my local university
newspaper.
Sincerely,
Alexandra Parrott
University of Texas at Arlington - Public Relations