Darke County Parks is beginning a new series of fitness programs called Naturally Fit occurring the fourth Monday of every month. Everyone wants to lead healthier lives and spend more time outdoors. However, workout machines aren’t always environmentally friendly, and gyms aren’t very exciting. Besides, sometimes life just gets in the way! Use these programs as an “excuse” to schedule time outside and get moving. Each of these programs focuses more on fitness than nature, with everyone moving at their own pace, whether that’s one loop or ten. The July program will take place July 25th at 6:30pm at Alice Bish Park with a one mile loop trail along the Greenville Creek, a state designated Scenic River. Meet at this easy to get to park off Ohio Street in Greenville, and bring a water bottle.

Did you know: It’s never too early for kids to learn about staying fit and enjoying the outdoors.

Darke County Parks invites students in grades 3-6 to join them for the July Jr. Naturalists program on Saturday, July 23rd from 9:30am to 12pm at Shawnee Prairie Preserve on St. Rt. 502 west of Greenville. In the arrangement of pinecone scales, the number of flower petals, or even proportions within the human body, there is a mysterious number that appears in nature too many times to be explained. Students will learn a little more about this intriguing number, the man who discovered it, and take a hike to find out for themselves if this number holds true for Shawnee Prairie.

The Jr. Naturalists program is a series of monthly programs designed to give students a hands-on introduction to natural resource management. Hikes, work projects, and independent study are all part of this fun-filled nature study club. A fee of $3 is charged for the program, and preregistration is required. For any questions about the Jr. Naturalists program or any other Park District programs or to register for the July class, please call the park office at (937) 548-0165 or email info@darkecountyparks.org.

Did you know: The arrangement and number of scales on a pine cone follow this mysterious number in a beautiful spiral.