In June, a first time partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County and the San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation Department allowed "Littles" and "Bigs" to better experience the nature at the Lake Lopez Recreation Area.

Rangers Glenn Simpson and Dan Chapman supplied camping equipment, fishing lessons, and an educational boat tour for over twenty Bigs and Littles.

Nature groups suggest that free and unstructured time spent outside leads to happier, more cooperative, healthier children. Further, spending time in our county’s parks encourages Developmental Assets.

Exploring their surroundings and learning about nature boosts constructive use of time skills, enables youths to connect with their community and demonstrates that learning can happen in any location.

Big Brothers Big Sisters looks forward to continuing the partnership, later this July, by bringing mentors and transitional aged teens to Lake Lopez for educational hikes, tours, and team building activities.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is dedicated to enriching the lives of children through one on one mentoring with caring and compassionate community members. Since 1995, Big Brothers Big Sisters has matched 1,300 children.

For more information on donating to or volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters please visit www.slobigs.org or call (805) 781-3226.