Janice Swaisgood's Page

Hi Janice.  Thank you for the welcome.  You are right, I certainly enjoy the unique opportunity to spend my professional days advocating for, raising funds for and creating awareness for opportunities for all kids to learn via outdoor experiences.  Then get to go home and spend the evenings playing outside with my own kids.  I have worked the past few years for a small nonprofit organization that provides around 6,500 kids in the Kansas City area with Outdoor School programs and summer camps.  I am actually beginning a new role with Camp Fire's national headquarters this coming Monday where I will be doing similar work, but on behalf of 70+ Camp Fire Councils in 30 states and 300,000+ kids.

Personally, I have 3 (soon to be 4) kids with the oldest being 6.  I somewhat unsuccesfully tried to start a family nature club through earlier this year that just hasn't picked up much steam yet.  A few outings with mostly our friends that like to hang outdoors with us anyways.  It was more my lack of really putting the time and energy in to it, so maybe with a bit more focus it will happen.   I am also excited in that I am helping a group advance the efforts of the Kansas Coalition for Children in Nature (now known KCN).  It had some steam a few years ago and pretty much completely fell of anyone's radar for the the last year or more.  Hopefully that is going to be changing soon. 

Gracias Janice, que lindo que vas a formar un grupo para familias con chicos bilingue. Mi nena tiene 5 a~nos y esta en el jardin de infante. Soy tutora en varias materias como ense~nanza en Espa~nol, matematicas y ciencias. Fui tutora por mucho tiempo asistiendo a ni~nos que participan en el programa NCLB. Siguo hoy en dia ayudando a ni~nos a estudiar y progresar en sus estudios. 

Henderson, Nevada es una ciudad cerca de Las Vegas, Nevada, y muy linda para criar a los hijos. Tiene lindos parques, apesar de ser parte del desierto. 

Espero saber mas acercas de NFN, especialmente si es guiado para los educadores bilingue. 

Nos hablamos pronto :)

Hi Janice, it's great to connect with you :)

Thanks a bunch Janice.  The info is greatly appreciated!!!! Any info on applying for 501c3 status?

Hello Janice,

How has the issue of liability been tackled as it pertains to family nature clubs and leading outdoor excursions?

Thanks for the welcome Janice.  I am in the process of creating a Family Nature club for the South Mississippi region.  Any pointers?  How do I get it listed on this site?

Hi Janice.

Thank you for you comment. Actually I don't have a family club yet, but I'm in the process of starting one in my neighborhood. I'm a geologist and I teach science and environmental ed. and I love nature so I can't wait to share my thoughts and learn some great tips from Family Nature Clubs :)

Have you ever come to Portugal? We have a great weather for nature activities!  

Catarina