LandPaths ensures no child is left inside this summer

LandPaths is offering a free “No Child Left Inside” program this summer to give kids an opportunity for healthy, old-fashioned outdoor fun with other children.

Every Wednesday morning from July 1 to Aug. 12 kids accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, can hang out at either Bayer Farm in Roseland or Rancho Mark West off Calistoga Road.

Trained educators with LandPaths, stewards for many outdoor areas in Sonoma County, will lead preschoolers ranging from infants to age 5, in a varieties of activities. Older siblings may also come and participate.

At Bayer Farm, which LandPaths manages for the city of Santa Rosa, kids will garden, pick crops, cook, keep nature journals, play nature games, make crafts and engage in water play.

Kids can bring a sack lunch or stay after the program for a free lunch provided in partnership with The Redwood Empire Food Bank. Free lunches are offered at Bayer Farm daily to kids of all ages up to 18. Activities for youth also are scheduled daily after lunch. Bayer Farm is at 1550 West Ave. in Santa Rosa, across from Sheppard School.

At Rancho Mark West, a 124-acre “outdoor classroom,” owned by LandPaths, kids from 9 a.m. to noon will hike, play games, explore the redwoods, search for critters on Santa Rosa Creek and go canoeing. Kids should bring a picnic lunch. The ranch is at 7125 St. Helena Road off Calistoga Road.

Hours for the “No Child Left Inside” summer series are 9 a.m. to noon.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204. On Twitter @megmcconahey.