I’ve met lots of wonderful and interesting people since starting this blog – from moms and dads much like myself to teachers, filmmakers and grandparents – all sharing one thing in common: A desire to help connect kids with nature.
Today, I’m chatting with one such person: Jane Saunders, creator of See Jane Explore. Jane customizes year-round “passports” for families in Orange and LA Counties. These for-fee passports are personalized recommendations of places your family might like to visit based on family members’ ages, interests, special needs, time frame and location.
Jane is part of a growing number of grandparents sharing time in nature with their grandchildren. Although her passports are varied enough to include whatever interests you might have, it was a desire to connect with nature that first sparked the idea for her business.
What inspired you to create See Jane Explore?
My granddaughters are my inspiration. One day, I had taken them to a botanical garden for a Saturday morning activity. While there, I overheard a parent say enthusiastically, “I didn’t know this place was here!” At that time, I was contemplating starting my own business, but was examining many options. However, I knew that I loved learning and exploring with the girls, and introducing them to new experiences that they could remember the rest of their lives, so this became an inspired moment for me!
See Jane Explore was created to help families in their quest to find fun and educational events and activities that may be lesser known or have limited advertisement.
Why do you think it’s important for grandparents to spend time in nature with their grandchildren?
Grandparents have acquired wisdom which inherently instills in them the ability to realize that time with their grandchildren is vital to the child’s essence.
Many parents are so busy with the daunting, multi-layered task of raising their kids and all that entails, that often they can’t even find time for the bare necessity of even getting homework done, let alone do something extra! With all the research proving how beneficial it is in the long term for children to connect with nature, it seems to me a natural extension of the familial link for grandparents to act as guides to influence a child’s wonder of nature.
What unique perspective can grandparents offer today’s kids about spending time in nature and getting outside?
Spending time in nature utilizes all the senses: hear, touch, smell, sight, taste. Grandparents can guide their grandchildren to experience these senses in nature and the outdoors.
As an example, my granddaughters helped me plant an herb garden in my backyard. One of the herbs in the garden is basil. It has become a tradition when the girls are at my house to make a frosty basil lemonade with homegrown basil and lemons that the girls pick from my tree. The girls delight in this cool, healthy summer treat.
What is your favorite place to spend time in nature with your grandchildren?
The Fullerton Arboretum – my granddaughters frequently ask to go there because whenever they go, they attend classes or have field experiences that allow them to express their creative spirit.
Jane was born in Chicago, Illinois, raised in La Porte, Indiana and transplanted to California at age 16. She’s a married mom of two adult children and has four granddaughters. Jane’s interests are tap dancing, yoga, business, travel, gardening and spending time with family. She’s a self-proclaimed grandpreneur who explores fun/educational family activities & offers a customized service with options for Orange/LA Counties & home base. Jane will show you where to play & learn at the same time.
Photos: Jane Saunders
Hi, Abbie!<br />Where do you live?<br /><br />Jane
What an amazing sounding program! Heading over to check out her site. Would love to see something like this in my area for parents and grandparents. Thanks for sharing this highlight.