Tiny feet pounded the trails of Minot Forest Friday evening, during the Buzzards Bay Coalition's first Family Friday Exploration.

In partnership with the Wareham Land Trust, the coalition wants families to learn and explore the area they live in. The Family Friday Explorations were introduced last year and have been reinstated for three Fridays this month, beginning with orienteering at Minot Forest Elementary School.

A group of AmeriCorps volunteers headed by Tanya Creamer and Kari Amick and Commonwealth Corps Environmental Educator Lauren Vunderink also came along to teach kids how to navigate using compasses through the Minot Forest trails. Children were encouraged to participate by collecting items for a scavenger hunt as they traversed the forest.

“The key with family programs is if kids are engaged, the parents are too,” said Rob Hancock, coalition Vice President of Community Engagement. “Parents are always looking for programs that keep kids excited.”

The Buzzards Bay Coalition holds 70 to 80 programs over the year, 95 percent of which are free to participate in. Hancock said it’s important for the programs to remain “accommodating and flexible to folks,” so they can encourage people to participate in land conservation and protection of the environment.

“People already love hiking and exploring and staying active. Sometimes they just need some suggestions or encouragement,” Hancock said.

Hancock said people often ask him how they can help. He said the key is to support land conservation and outdoor engagement programs. Protecting Buzzards Bay is key to the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the Wareham Land Trust and the first step to teaching people to value and protect their environment is to teach them to love it.

The next Family Friday Exploration is “Make Your Own Fishing Pole” at Horseshoe Mill on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. Registration is required. Call 508-999-6363 ext. 219 to register, or for more information.