Some of the following was posted in mid April, but is worth another look and options for pre-schoolers have been added:
School is out. The kids are bored.
Bring them to Precinct 4’s Matzke Park Butterfly Garden at the corner of Jones Rd and Grant Rd in Northwest Houston and bring a picnic lunch!
The park boasts rest rooms, benches, 1 ½ mile walking trail, barrier free playground structures, picnic tables and 20 acres of open grassy space.
Bring a digital camera or a smart phone on a bright sunny day and challenge your and the kids photography skills.
Look for caterpillars, butterflies, bees, bugs and birds among the butterfly weed, passion flower, butterfly bush, and other flowers both ornamental and native.
The plants have been selected for food for caterpillars, butterflies and other pollinators.
Start a collection of what and when you have seen them this summer. It becomes a great reference for later study.
You can also check the message board for what is happening in the park. Matzke Park is open every day of the week. The gardens are behind the Jones Rd parking lot.
Preschool Picture
Contest - OFFICIAL RULES
All children in Harris County Texas between the ages of 3 to 5 are eligible to
enter the Preschool Picture Contest this summer, with the permission of their
parent or guardian. Rules for the contest are as follows:
1. Entrance in the contest implies that you agree to the rules of the contest
and have parental consent to enter the contest.
2. The age of the contestant is to be based on his or her
age as of June 1.
3. A single picture (drawing, painting, etc.) of any one "Thing that
Flies" in the garden (i.e. butterflies, bees, birds, ladybugs,
dragonflies, etc.) may be submitted by a contestant.
4. Submit picture along with your name, age, and contact information to
Preschool Picture Contest
10502 Brentway
Houston, TX 77070-4004
5. The deadline for submitting entries is midnight on August 31, 2016.
6. Scoring: Judges will award one point per picture and one
additional point for the correct identification of the species submitted
The decisions of judges will be final. Prizes will be awarded in September
Children’s Photo Contest - OFFICIAL RULES
All children in Harris County Texas between the ages of 6 to 14 are eligible to enter the Children’s Photo Contest this summer, with the permission of their parent or guardian. Rules for the contest are as follows:
1. Entrance in the contest implies that you agree to the rules of the contest and have parental consent to enter the contest.
2. The age of the contestant is to be based on his or her age as of June 1.
3. Photos are to be taken only by the contestant, must only be taken in the Matzke Park Butterfly Garden and are to only be taken between the dates of June 1 and August 31 of the current year. Please follow posted rules of observing without disturbing nature.
4. One photo of each species of "Things that Fly" in the garden (butterflies, bees, birds, ladybugs, dragonflies, etc.) may be submitted by a contestant. There can be several entries of butterflies, for example, so long as each is a different kind.
5. Email your photos as a jpg attachment, along with your name, age and contact information to ABCS.Park@att.net
6. The deadline for submitting entries is midnight on August 31, 2016.
Scoring: Judges will award one point per photo of each different species submitted, one additional point will be awarded for the correct identification of the species submitted, and one point may be deducted for duplicates of the same species submitted by one individual.
The decision of judges will be final. Prizes will be awarded in September to contestants by age groups:
6 to 8,
9 to 11,
12 to 14.
Businesses and individuals wishing to support these contests may send a donation before August 15th to:
Norchester Garden Club Treasurer
14606 Quail Creek Court
Houston, TX 77070
Please make checks payable to Norchester Garden Club with "Children’s Picture Contest" in the memo.
