Outdoor activities in Brooklyn offer children a release from digital distractions

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Jaiden Klann held a bow outstretched across her left arm. Her 10-year-old eyes set on a small yellow circle about 40 feet away. She released the string and sent the arrow hurtling toward the target.

Thump!

"Isn't that a satisfying sound?" said Kiki Dunigan, the explorer guide for W.J. Hayes State Park.

Under the supervision of a certified state instructor, children during the summer can learn the finer points of Robin Hood's chosen sport at the state park.

"Once the arrow hits the target, they're pretty much hooked at that point," Dunigan said. "And I can see that by the number of kids that keep coming back."

Jaiden, of Ann Arbor, was brought to the park by her great-grandfather who lives in the area. "You feel really good when you hit the bull's-eye or the target," Jaiden said.

While lessons have stopped for the year, Dungian said she plans to offer classes twice a week next summer, along with Outdoor Explorer Activities on Fridays and Saturdays in the fall.

If that seems too long of a wait, the park will be participating in the Great Outdoors Youth Jamboree on Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Lake Hudson Recreation Area in Adrian. There will be archery lessons along with a BB gun shooting range, duck calls, and many more events.

The goal of the event is to get kids interested in outdoor activities, Dunigan said. She said sometimes when given a little push, children really enjoy the outdoor exploration events offered by the park.

"I found all the kids to be really engaged and interested in the programs that are offered here," she said. "I haven't heard anyone say, 'Can I go back to my computer now?' or anything like that."

Originally published in the Jackson Citizen Patriot on Aug. 27, 2014