Holiday Recipe Ideas for National Pear Month

What can you do with an early childhood education degree?

How Can I become a Daycare Teacher?

Being a daycare teacher requires lots of patience

The job of a daycare teacher involves more than watching children every day. Part of their duties includes making sure children are safe. They also play a significant role in a child’s education. This includes their health, growth and overall development. These are the things that make being a daycare teacher a challenging yet rewarding job. If this is a career you want pursue, you need to have certain positive qualities to be successful at this job. Remember that you will have to deal with the ever-changing personalities of toddlers and young kids. Read on to learn all the things you need to know to become a daycare teacher.

Education and training

Daycare teachers have to meet the educational and training requirements of their employer and the state. They need to take the necessary courses in child development to be able to understand the skills that children need to learn at each stage. This training equips daycare teachers to help kids achieve these milestones. Most employers accept daycare teachers with a minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent. Certain preschools prefer to hire those who have a certification or completed post secondary classes in early childhood education. Preschools in some states even require daycare teachers to have previous experience.

If you are looking for advancement in early childcare, an associate or bachelor’s degree would help. Associate degree programs usually include: classes focusing on child behavior and development, parent-teacher relationships, programs and curriculum, and the learning environments. For Head Start programs, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is required. But if you have a degree in a different field and you want to pursue a career in early childcare, you must have an experience working with children under five.

Professional certifications

Employers and states have varying requirements. Certain preschools and daycare centers require a national certification. The National Childcare Association offers the CCP or the Child Care Professional Certification. This requires classroom experience as well as continuing education courses. Those who hold a high school diploma or equivalent are eligible for the certification. The Council for Professional Regulation also awards the CDA credential. It is also part of the licensing regulations for the 50 states in the US.

Appearance

A pleasing appearance is also an important factor for being a daycare teacher. This is because children usually mimic the adults around them. Make sure that you serve as a good example to the kids under your care. Your clothes should look clean and decent. Dress comfortably so that it’s easier for you to interact and play games with children. Do not use foul language and be sure to avoid inappropriate behavior.

Discipline

A good daycare teacher is someone who knows how to impose discipline in the classroom using an appropriate set of strategies. This is important to avoid chaos in the daycare setting. Maintaining discipline doesn’t require complicated rules. You need to know how to use simple rules that little children can follow.

Passion

To be a successful daycare teacher, you must have that passion in your heart. You have to want to work with children and be part of their development. This means that despite the challenges, you know you can enjoy working with kids. It’s also important that you are kind to every child under your care despite their race or background. Your focus should be on the best interest of the children above everything else.

Being a daycare teacher may be challenging but it is a rewarding job. If you wish to pursue a career in early childcare as a daycare teacher, these are the requirements you must meet. If you are looking toward future advancement within a daycare facility, you may consider obtaining a CDA credential. For more information about earning a Child Development Associate credential, please visit National CDA Training.

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Find out How You Can Help Others on World Food Day

Enjoy a meal on food day

World Food Day is observed on the 16th of October each year. This day is celebrated to honor the date when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was founded in 1935. It is also recognized to raise awareness about hunger, as well as encourage the public to take action is to help eliminate world hunger.

The World Food Day is celebrated by organizing food drives and distributing free meals for the homeless and less fortunate. If you have the heart to participate in this holiday, here are some of the ways you can take a stand against hunger and make a difference.

Take a photo of your meal and share it on  social media

If you think taking photos of your sumptuous meals and uploading them on the social media is meaningless, then you have been thinking wrong. By sharing photos of your meals, you are also literally sharing your food. All you have to do is to download FoodShareFilter or Feedie. Both applications were designed to help fight global hunger. Every time photos of food are shared using the app, the restaurant donates a meal to an organization called the Lunchbox Fund that provides meals for orphaned children in South Africa.

Volunteer in your local community garden

Food scarcity and insecurity affect people living in poverty and those who have limited access to healthy and fresh food. Help make a difference by volunteering in your local urban garden. Address hunger by getting outside, by connecting with people, and by distributing fresh produce to people who need it most.

Participate in local community events

There are plenty of local events you can participate in if you want to help fight hunger in your community. Search World Food Day USA on Google to find some ways you can help. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities: packing meals for the homeless, walking for hunger, or helping out in a soup kitchen to name a few. No matter how big or small, your efforts will make a difference. However, you help out will be valuable for the nourishment of those who are in need. So serve your community by giving your time and efforts.

Help improve the quality of school lunches

Help make school lunches better

In different parts of the United States and throughout the world, a school lunch or breakfast may be the only full meal a student eats in a day. The sad part is that these meals do not always contain important nutrients a child needs for growth and development. By improving the quality of food at schools, children can enjoy better health and improve their academic performance.

Treat yourself

Did you know that by treating yourself with your favorite food at your favorite restaurant, you are also making a difference in the world’s problem with hunger and food scarcity? So go ahead and invite a friend for a meaningful and sumptuous meal. As soon as the check arrives, donate the cost of your meal by joining the #HungerFree movement. This movement is organized to help fight hunger in South Sudan, Kenya, and many other parts of the globe.

Attend an event

If you are looking for other ways to participate in  World Food Day, you can visit foodday.org and enter your zip code to find an event near you. It doesn’t matter which event you choose, whether you dine or donate, the important thing is that you are helping spread awareness. You are also encouraging people to join the fight against hunger.

Food scarcity and hunger may seem to be overwhelming global problems. But if we all decide to take action, even in our little ways, and become advocates for health and food, we can all make a difference to make this world a better place.

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How to Show Appreciation for Teachers on World Teachers’ Day

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated October 5th every year. This day is dedicated to all the hard-working teachers out there. Teachers are important people in our society. They mold young people’s’ minds and guide us through life later on. We spend almost two decades of our lives with teachers, and they make a huge contribution to our education and development. It’s fitting that this holiday is observed at schools throughout the world.

Teachers are underappreciated heroes. They don’t always receive the recognition they deserve for their commitment to education. In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, here are some ideas you can do to show your gratitude to your teachers.

Write a heartfelt letter to your teacher

You can write a poem, a short or long letter, or notes of appreciation to show your teacher you care. Leave it at your teacher’s desk or give it to them personally. They will appreciate it so much.

Give them a token of appreciation

Gifts like flowers, chocolates, coffee mugs, or shirts, will put a smile on their faces. Even a simple keychain will be highly appreciated.

Bake your teacher something sweet

A cake or a couple of cupcakes will surely get you your teacher’s sweetest smile.

Plan a party for your teacher

At the end of the school day, you can organize a party for your teacher together with your classmates. Set up some food and refreshments and plan fun games to make it more enjoyable.

Make a scrapbook with the whole class

Want to take your teacher on a walk down memory lane? A scrapbook is a perfect idea. Make it with your classmates and include photos and stickers. Decorate it creatively and give it to your teacher to let them know that you appreciate all their efforts in teaching and guiding you in school and in life.

Make a recording of your thanks

Be loud and proud as you give your thanks and appreciation to your teachers. Express your gratitude over a loudspeaker or over a song. This will surely make your teacher’s heart flutter with happiness.

Organize a breakfast party

On the morning of October 5th, order up coffee and other breakfast food for your teachers. Make sure to arrive at school extra early so that you can arrange this breakfast party. They will surely love this one.

Give your teacher a personalized coffee mug

A personalized cup or mug with your teacher’s name or photo will be a great gift. This is a functional gift as well because you ’ll see them using it for their morning or afternoon coffee.

Decorate your classroom

Together with your classmates, surprise your teacher by decorating your classroom and telling them that you are grateful for all of their efforts in teaching you.

 

Why should Teachers’  Day be celebrated?

People become teachers because they care about the younger generations. Teaching children and adolescents is their talent.t. Being a teacher is not easy. It takes great patience, long hours, and care to be a teacher.

If you don’t know, a teacher is so much more than an educator. They also act as moms, dads, nurses, therapists, and many other roles that children need. Being a teacher is more challenging than you know. Good teachers are angels who watch over children at school. Every day, they fight to teach the children good manners. They mold children to who they’re supposed to be when they grow up.

Teaching is a noble job and giving one day a year to appreciate them is an easy way for the world could give back. Teachers deserve all of our respect and gratitude because, without them, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.

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What Can I Do with a CDA Certificate

Are you someone who is passionate when it comes to caring for or teaching young kids in preschool? Earning the proper credentials would be the perfect way to start. An excellent starting point is to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. By earning a CDA credential, you’re on the right path to jump-starting the career of your dreams!

What is CDA Credential?

The CDA Credential can help increase your knowledge and skills in the field of early childcare. You may become eligible for more jobs and ultimately advance your career. Since 1975, this certification has been a solid option for career development in early childhood education.

A preschool teacher teaching the fundamentals of ABC

Earning a CDA Credential can benefit you in more ways than one. For one, you will learn the best practices in early childhood education. This is done through valuable feedback from observers and several hours of hands-on experience. Being equipped with adequate knowledge and skills can help increase your confidence in what you do. As a CDA credentialed professional, you are also going to become qualified for more jobs. A CDA credential can serve as a stepping stone towards a more advanced career. It’s like a ticket to the wonderful world of early childcare. It signifies that you have already reached a professional level of skill and knowledge.

And if you are wondering what jobs you can take with a CDA credential, you can take a look at the list below.

Daycare Teacher

As a daycare teacher, you will be spending most of your day working with toddlers. It will be your job to plan activities and assist children with their daily projects. Some of the daily tasks you do include preparing their snacks, reading to them and playing games. It’s also important to incorporate mental and physical awareness. This will make sure that kids are getting the assistance they need while ensuring their safety at all times. You will also be working with other daycare teachers. You must be able to interact with the children’s parents and communicate progress as well as any issues.

Preschool Teacher

As a preschool teacher, you will be working with kids who are between the ages of three and five. Your role is to get these children engaged in activities that are not too challenging, but still offer a good learning experience. Some of the activities include reading to and with them, singing songs, playing games and finger painting. The primary purpose of preschool is to help young children become prepared for kindergarten. Like a daycare teacher, you will be working hand in hand with the other teachers and staff in the preschool facility. Interaction and open communication with parents is also important.

A childcare worker assisting a student with her activity

Childcare worker

A daycare or a childcare worker is the one responsible for watching over kids to make sure that they are safe. You will also have to monitor and take note of the specific activities for each child under your care. You must take note of any important information such as their eating schedule, changing diapers and taking of medication.

Teacher Assistant

The work of teacher assistants consists of providing assistance to teachers with lesson plans. Working as a teacher assistant means that you can supervise children in the absence of the teacher due to an emergency.

These are some of the jobs you can take if you have a CDA credential. If you are interested in this credential, allow us to help you prepare for the CDA exam. Please visit National CDA Training for more information.

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Ways to Prepare Yourself and your Family this National Preparedness Month

We are once again in September and it’s National Preparedness Month. If you are not aware, September is the month dedicated to preparing and educating people on disasters. Natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes can occur without notice. That is why being ready for anything is important.

The first thing to have when a disaster strikes is a meeting spot or evacuation center. This could be the nearest fire station or a 24-hour grocery store that are a safe distance away from your home. These meeting spots may depend on the event but it’s important to establish a place and have a solid plan ahead of time. Once you have this setup, it’s time to think about other possible scenarios.

Here are some ways to prepare yourself and your family:

Preparation starts at home

Develop a family disaster plan. Like mentioned earlier, plan a place to evacuate should any disaster arises. If you are separated when an emergency occurs, plan how you will reconnect. Make a disaster kit. This should contain essential items to survive 3 to 5 days. Drinking water, first aid kit, identification documents, non-perishable food, flashlights, and battery-operated radios are some of the things you should pack.

Stay updated and informed

Information is available for everyone. It can be from federal, state, or local resources. Stay informed and learn what to do before, during, and after a disaster.

Help others as well

Most municipalities in the US have a disaster response and recovery plan made by the local government. If you want to help out, you can be an affiliate with an agency that is engaged in disaster response and relief.

Do not stop preparing

Disasters occur without any prior notice so it’s best to be prepared at all times. Revisit and update your family disaster plans time and time again. Change the supplies in the disaster kit so the food and water stay fresh. Being prepared will give you more chances of survival, it is key.

Some situations you can prepare for:

Home invasion

This is scary whether you are at home or not. Know how to protect your home from potential invasions to keep you and your family safe. You can start by checking the locks on your doors and windows. Secure any pet entrances and purchase a security system for your home. The presence of even one security camera will chase away burglars. If a break in happens and you are at home, here are a few things to remember.

• Stay calm and collected. Don’t panic. You will feel an adrenaline rush, use it to help you stay alert.
• Go to a safe room and call 911.
• If in the event, your safe room is not accessible, have evacuation plans. This can be window ladders or back door routes.
• Do not engage with the intruder. Do not let them know that you’ve called for help.
• Another thing to remember is to keep your car keys close to you so that you can hit the panic button on it. This will create a distraction and alert the neighbors.
• In case of an extreme situation, it would be good to have self-defense knowledge.

Responding to a situation like this is to practice. It’s important that you can think straight so that you will know how to defend your family and keep them safe.

Fire

Be sure that your home has the correct amount of fire alarms as this is the first line of defense. Practice setting them off and educating family members on what they should do if this alarm rings. Make an evacuation plan in your home and assign tasks to family members. In situations like this, it is very important to not panic. Make sure everyone is accounted for, even the pets, and then call 911 for help. If there is thick smoke, use something like a shirt to cover your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling it. If in the event, your clothing catches fire, know how to stop, drop and roll. Practice these safety measures so that if this disaster happens, family members will know how to respond.

Flood

If you live somewhere that’s prone to flooding, it’s good to know the warning signs and how to evacuate to a safe place. If you find your family and yourself trapped once the flood has begun, know that you should never enter fast flowing water on foot or in a vehicle. This can get you hurt or worse.

When water has flooded in your home, disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off your main electricity. Move furniture and other valuable stuff to higher ground. Depending on the frequency of the flood, it may be worth it to flood-proof your home.

Being prepared is the key to being safe from disasters. Take these simple actions and teach them to your family. Stay alert, stay safe!

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National Wellness Month: 7 Tips for a Healthier Life

This month of August is the best time to focus on managing stress and promoting self-care and healthy routines. You know why? Because it is National Wellness Month! Studies have shown how self-care helps reduce stress and promote happiness. And putting efforts into making a change in your lifestyle can significantly affect your health in positive ways. If you want to take the first step to living a healthier life, read the tips below.

Drink a glass of water in the morning

One of the very first things you should do when you wake up in the morning is to drink a glass of room temperature water. This will help cleanse your system and flush out toxins before you even eat any food. Also try adding a twist to your regular water by putting a slice of lemon or lime for a citrusy taste.

Get enough sleep

The importance of sleep cannot be emphasized any more. Regardless of your age, it’s imperative that you get an adequate amount of sleep every night. A lack of sleep is detrimental to your health in several different ways. Not only will it cause damage to your heart, it can also make you feel constantly tired, irritable and can reduce your attention span.

Eat healthy snacks

In between meals snacks don’t always have to be junk foods. You can snack the right way by switching to healthier alternatives. Instead of consuming too many sweet and starchy foods like candies, potato chips, and cookies, you may want to have nuts, berries and fruits. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals and are good for your health.

Exercise often

We are all aware of the benefits of working out and exercise. However, these are some things we usually take for granted. Exercising doesn’t always mean going to the gym and spending an hour or so sweating out. It can be as simple as taking a daily walk to or from work. Instead of taking the elevators, use the stairs as often as possible. Or  take your dog for a long walk during weekends. The important thing is that you take time to do some physical activity every chance you get. Having an active lifestyle can improve your heart health and overall well-being.

Connect with people

People who don’t have friends are said to have higher likelihood of sickness and early death. Their stress and depression can make them physically ill. This is the reason why experts highly recommend that we make time to connect and nurture healthy relationships with the people around us. Spend more time with your family, friends and loved ones. No matter how busy you are, make it a point to get in touch with someone close to your heart. Catch up with your friends during your free time. Visit your parents on the weekends. Doing these things can significantly impact your health, even in the later years.

Try new activities

Finding a new hobby can help reduce stress. If you haven’t done anything fun and exciting for a while, it’s time to look for a new activity that you can enjoy with your friends or family. Think about going hiking, playing a new sport or trying out a new adventure. This will help you unwind and even give you opportunities to meet other people who share the same interest. But if you want to try out some activities alone, that’s perfectly fine, too. For as long as it pumps your adrenaline and makes you happy, you can never go wrong with it!

Ditch the unhealthy habits

If you have some habits that you know are detrimental to your health, stop them now before it’s too late. This includes smoking and excessive drinking. Smoking reduces a person’s lifespan by several years. It can affect your lungs as well as your skin. It is one of the major causes of death in the world. If you want to live longer, ditch the unhealthy habits and always choose life!

There is no better time to live a healthy lifestyle than now. Start making these small changes and you’ll be amazed at how they can improve your life in general.

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What Do I Do if my CDA has Expired?

You can renew your CDA credential online

Are a childcare professional? Obtaining a Child Development Associate Credential may be a good choice for you. A CDA Credential has been recognized as the foundation of professional development in the field of early childhood education. If you want to advance your career in early childcare, earning a CDA credential is the best step to take.

Like other career credentials, your CDA credential also expires. Below are the standard renewal process and fees effective October 1, 2015.

• Download the free Renewal Procedures Guide. This guide can be downloaded by visiting the CDA Council’s website. You can also have the guide sent to you by mail by calling the council at 202-265-9090.
• Complete the required documentation based on the list provided in the CDA Renewal Procedures Guide. The guide also includes a training verification form which should be completed by the center or program director.
•  Submit your CDA Renewal Application. This step can be done either by applying online with a fee of $125 or do it by mail with a $150 fee. Online renewal application is recommended for those who are applying for Infant/Toddler, Preschool or Family Childcare. Your documents can be uploaded online together with your application form. You can also make an electronic payment and monitor the progress of your application.

If you opt to do it by mail, you can send your application, required documentation and payment to: Council for Professional Recognition 2460 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009-3547. The Home Visitor CDA Credential can only be renewed by submitting a hard copy of the application.

• Upon submission of your application, the Council will  review all the materials submitted. If your documents fail to meet the requirements, the Council will send you a notification and give you ample time to resolve the issue.

Also, be sure to process the renewal of your CDA Credential before it expires.  If your CDA Credential was awarded on or before July 1, 2013, it should be valid for three years. Prepare your renewal documents in advance before your credential expiration date. You’ll be ready to submit them as soon as the renewal window opens.

To make sure you are ready for your CDA Renewal, National CDA Training has the training you need. At NCDAT, we offer training for both preschool and infant and toddler CDA renewals in an online, scenario-based format. We also provide all the coaching you need to make sure you have all the help you need when it’s time to renew.

Choosing National CDA Training for your CDA Renewal preparation is a great choice. Why? Because we provide training like no other! We provide fun and innovative scenario-based CDA classes that are scientifically proven to be effective.

With our scenario-based training, your mind will be trained to react to each given situation. You are getting a sort of mental practice. You’ll learn how to respond when difficult and challenging situations arise in the classroom. Because you are getting real-life, scenarios, you will feel much more relaxed, calmer and confident.

All our child developmental courses are aligned with the CDA guidelines. They are designed to create competence through constant practice and help you achieve success in the classroom. Once you have gone through all our training and activities, we guarantee that you’ll be ready to apply for your CDA renewal.

Aside from the training you will get from National CDA Training, we will also help you make sure you have everything in place before your original CDA credential expires. Get all the support you need to successfully renew your CDA credential. Give National CDA Training a call today!

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Steps to Earn your Preschool CDA Credential

All amazing preschool teachers have a CDA credential

The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is recognized in  the field of early childhood education. Professionals can use this credential as a stepping stone to advance their career.

The CDA credential is based on a set of competency standards determined by the Council for Professional Recognition. These guide education professionals striving to become qualified. If you are an early childcare professional, getting a CDA is a great step to moving your career forward.

Getting your credential means you have vital knowledge to put the competency standards into practice. You comprehend how it can help move children from one development stage to the next. As a CDA, you will know how to nurture children emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially.

Earning the CDA credential can benefit you in more ways than one. And if you want to become a CDA, below are the steps you need to take.

PREPARATION

Those who wish to apply for a CDA credential must:

1. earn a high school diploma, GED
2. or be a high school student enrolled in early childhood education program
3. or complete the required 120 hours of professional early childhood training which should include at least 10 hours of training in each of the following CDA subject areas:

• Planning a safe and healthy environment
• Supporting children’s social and emotional development
• Managing an effective program operation
• Observing and recording children’s behavior
• Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development
• Building productive relationships with families
• Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
• Understanding the principles of child development and learning

Up to 3 years before applying, you must get a total of 480 hours of professional experience working with children. This work experience must be with the age group that matches what you wrote in your application.

Within six months of your application submission, you must prepare your CDA professional portfolio. This should include a collection of reference materials and documents related to your work. The professional portfolio includes family questionnaires, education documentation, 10 resources, 6 reflective statements of competence and a professional philosophy statement.

APPLICATION

The application for the CDA credential can be done online, or you can furnish a paper application provided in the CDA Competency Standards Book. The online application costs $425 while the paper application costs $500. The council will review your application and once accepted, they will send you a “Ready to Schedule” notification.

VERIFICATION VISIT

As soon as you get your “Ready to Schedule” notification , you can schedule your CDA Verification Visit as well as your CDA exam. You will have to find a Professional Development Specialist using the Council’s directory. This CDA Professional Development Specialist will be doing your Verification Visit. The PD specialist will visit you at your workplace and take the following steps:

•         Review of your professional portfolio
•         Observe how you work with children
•         Reflect and discuss your strengths and opportunities

CDA EXAM

The final step would be the CDA exam which includes 65 multiple choice questions, 5 of which are scenario questions that require narrative answers. You are given an hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam.

A council committee will be tasked to review the results of your Verification Visit and CDA exam and render a decision on awarding you the CDA credential.

SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING

Because the CDA Exam is a crucial part of the CDA credential process, National CDA Training is here to help you be better prepared. At NCDAT, we use scenario-based training. The scenario-based approach will train your mind to react to each given classroom situation. You will get adequate mental practice so that you’ll know how to respond to situations that may arise in a classroom. Aside from being effective, our training is fun and unique!

It’s about time to advance your career! Take our CDA courses and apply for your preschool CDA credential now!

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Boost Your Business While Exploring The Great Outdoors

June is National Great Outdoors Month! Don’t miss out on the opportunities this has to offer you and your business.  With a little bit of strategic planning, your business can on its way to generate additional revenue while enjoying the Great American Outdoors.

Here are some tips for you to go by this month-long celebration of the great outdoors:

1. Promote your business

The great outdoors has some beautiful scenery

There’s nothing wrong promoting your local small business while enjoying the natural environment.  In fact, running a business and promoting environmental protection can work hand in hand.

If you run a local restaurant, put out some displays about the scenic beauties surrounding your business.  Do you have a door-to-door delivery business? Print some extra fliers promoting the nearby outdoor activity in your state (don’t forget to include your business logo).

Do you see tourists flocking your state?  Make sure you have items such as pens with your logo to give away so they’ll remember your store while enjoying outdoor activities near you.

There are many ways to slant National Great Outdoors Month to your business’ favor.  All you need to do is to get those creative juice flowing and occasionally woo the “muse” to give you bright business ideas.

2. Team building for your staff

Want to enjoy the Great American Outdoors during work hours? What better way to do it than to enjoy each moment with your employees!

Taking your staff outdoors can rejuvenate them after months of stressful work.  There are plenty of group activities to choose from:

• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Stewardship

Regardless of the activity your team engages in, the outdoor experience will bring your employees closer together.  Plan ahead and think of activities that will help your staff take a little bit of recreational rest and get their pent-up energy out in the open.

Have them wear your company t-shirt or wind breakers while doing activities.  This adds visibility for your company and make others in the area know your company exists.  Extra eyeball advertisement for your brand will surely help drive your business forward.

3. Increase your staff’s productivity

Are you having trouble increasing your staff’s productivity?

This is related to #2. Enjoying the great outdoors could spell dramatic increases in your employees’ performance.

Why?

People who spend more time enjoying the great outdoors develop a special kind of social skill—they tend to work better in groups.

Do you have staff members who don’t work well together?  Let them indirectly sort things out by putting them in the same team activities!  It may be awkward at first but reminding them that this is a fun activity could cool things down. It could eventually lead to a much more harmonious collaboration among team members.

4. Health benefits

A sedentary routine is one of the biggest threats to a healthy life.  When you spend majority of your time sitting down in front of a computer, don’t be surprised if you feel pain or get sick more often.

Humans are social beings.  We all began living closely tied to the outdoors hunting for food and later, tilling the soil. But advancements in technology, while extremely beneficial, brought with it several painful changes in our work-life balance.

You can get your health back by simply stepping outside! And what better time to do it than this month!

Climb a mountain with your friends, trek with your employees, go on that fly fishing trip with your dad that you’ve been planning to do for months now but keep putting off.  The health benefits are enormous!

By the way, when we say health benefits, we don’t mean only physical health benefits.  Perhaps you’ve been looking inward for so long now and it’s time to look outward. Being outdoors helps reestablish the balance you need and want for your mental state.

There are so many benefits the Great American Outdoors can give you. One of the best benefits? You get to take control of your health back.

5. Care for the environment

With all the talk of global warming and climate change, you and your business can make positive impacts on the environment. Take the time to show the world that you care about the environment.

Give out small notes to tourists to remind them to “clean-as -they-go” once they’re done with their recreational activities.  (Don’t forget to include your business logo in your notes.) Or you can give them quick guides how to be safe in their trip or an easy local number to call in case of emergencies.  (Again, don’t forget your business logo.)

These reminders, though not earth-shaking, can leave a small but positive impact on the environment.

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