Hi Kriston,

I am not sure if they are doing this in different states. I would assume they would. Here is their website: maybe you can find more info there: nationalgeographic.com/bioblitz or bioblitz@ngs.org

Last Thursday my dd and I were driving to school and we decided to keep driving (I wanted to try homeschooling for a day). We ended up in a small national park and they had information about it there.

Great website, kimck!

Bianc, what a great project! Have fun.

Our middle school has monthly Service Learning Projects. My oldest chose to work on the educational program for our local art museum, researched artists, made an ipod tour and scavenger hunt. My current 7th grader has been reading to young elementary school children in an ESL class. They have choices each year, including river restoration project, therapeutic horseback riding help for disabled children, retirement home visits, elementary school outreach.

Most of what I do is supporting schools, gifted, education. I would like to help each of the boys find something meaningful to them, where they can make a real difference. I love to hear what others are doing!

Thanks, bianca. I'll check it out.

Both kids play instruments during masses and other church events. They are involved in more hands on projects for the homeless/poor through scouting.
One unusual project Ghost did this spring with a friend - a movie about poor in our city and a shelter that is trying to help them. They do hope to screen the movie in that shelter eventually (it is not ready yet to go on DVD).

At which age did you start actively involving your kids in those kinds of activities?

I made a point from even the age of 2 to take my son out shopping for toys for underprivileged kids during the holidays, or letting him help pick out some extra food for the food shelf when we were out grocery shopping. Even very small kids understand that kind of giving, and you can start very simply without a big time commitment.

I think it's important for the child to see the parents doing volunteer work as part of their lives. Then as the child gets bigger and into his own activities it will be natural for him to start doing community service projects.