REXBURG— Families can attend the Idaho Falls Zoo to experience new summer fun through Eastern Idaho Public Health's “Parenting in the Wild,” a virtual scavenger hunt that leads guests to different exhibits to learn more about parenting and family dynamics through zoo animals.
Brenna Christofferson, spokesperson for Eastern Idaho Public Health, and Alison Cruz, health educator senior specialist, helped work on this current project “Parenting in the Wild.” EIPH puts on many programs to help and educate the public. Their services include immunizations, alcohol misuse and prevention programs, parenting programs and education about food, health and safety.
“The role of public health in that awareness is that there are lots of resources out there,” Christofferson said. “We are here to connect people to those resources and figure out what's best for them.”
Parenting in the Wild is a summer-long program to focus on family needs and how parents can best influence their children’s lives. In designing the activity, Cruz worked with the Idaho Falls education curator to decide which animals to feature that families can learn from. The activity is meant for families of all ages.
“As parents, as family, we can see that example and learn from it and see how we can apply some of those ideas into our daily life with our children,” Cruz said.
A scavenger hunt activity at the zoo will be accessible through a QR code that will give a clue to the animal to find. After following the clue, the animal exhibit’s placard will have a QR code. This will give information on the animal’s parenting behavior as well as how it relates to humans. It will also provide additional resources and a link to the next clue.
Building that connection and family bond takes time to develop.
“In order for that trust that you need to talk about your kids openly with hard subjects and hard conversations, they need more opportunities to build their relationship,” Cruz said. “So, this specific activity is just another reason for families to get outside during the summer and to build on that relationship.”
EIPH plans to make "Parenting in the Wild" an annual activity. To continue the learning, their office located at 1250 Hollipark Dr. in Idaho Falls, will be handing out “Convo Cards” to continue the conversation with fun questions to build family connections.
EIPH hopes families take the opportunity to go to "Parenting in the Wild" and to learn more about the resources they offer. To learn more, go to eiph.id.gov.