You take a daily multivitamin for your health, but it could be lacking a vital component you can’t find in pill form! In the past 10 years, research has pointed to the health benefits of getting more “Vitamin Nature,” or spending more time among flora and fauna.
A walk in the woods not only provides physical exercise but boosts your overall happiness and emotional health. Some studies conclude that a dose of “Vitamin N” is correlated with decreases in anxiety levels, attention deficit disorder, bullying, and depression.
Minutes from the mall and airport in McAllen is a beautiful urban sanctuary, Quinta Mazatlan, where the entire family can get their fill of “Vitamin N” activities for the summer! With medical research pointing to a need for a prescription to the great outdoors, we recommend summer activities for a happy day and healthier life.
- Take A Walk In The Woods!
Enjoy a half-mile walk along the bronze Sculpture Trail through the “thorn forest,” where bunnies and birds come to the trail’s edge. Sculptures of native animals bring wildlife up close for observation. - Enjoy A Picnic In The Park!
Spread out a blanket and serve up a little nature with your dinner. Try it on a Thursday evening before catching an outdoor show in the park at 7 p.m. - Play Nature Detective!
Get to know our Valley nature by searching for birds! Every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., enjoy a family bird walk guided by our naturalist. - Challenge Yourself To Learn 10 Valley Backyard Birds!
In the richest biological area of the country, it’d be like walking past a patch of gold coins not to learn the birds that people come from all over the world to see! The LIVE Raptor Show (July 7, 7 p.m.), or the Saturday “Parrot Parade” program (July 10-11 and Aug. 2-3), or WildArt Camp (Aug. 2-5 for 9 to 12-year-olds) are just a few fun ways to learn about birds. - Plant A Flower, Feed A Butterfly!
One of the best doses of “Vitamin N” comes from planting native plants! Learn about how to lure these creatures to your yard during our July 14 family program, “Flight of the Butterflies,” at 7 p.m. on the outdoor movie screen. - Enjoy Nature Through the Lens!
One of the healthiest life-long hobbies of all is nature photography. Join staff on “Photo Fridays” (10 a.m. to noon) for photo tips and information on the Valley Land Fund’s FREE Youth Nature Photo Contest. There are cash prizes for ages 8 to
(take photos in June and July and enter by July 31). - Bring 3 GenerationsInto Nature!
Knowledge of plants and animals might be stored in science books, but the power of learning about nature from one’s abuelita or abuelo is the most invaluable nature education. Pick up a “Junior Naturalist” journal at the front desk and go exploring. - Take The Summer Family Adventure Challenge!
Come to “Spiderman” night (July 28 at 7 p.m.), or take the 1-mile “Wildcat Tracks” walk (Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.), and you will have fulfilled two of the challenges in the booklet provided at the front desk. - Attend A Live Animal Show!
There’s just something about meeting your nature neighbors that adds a little excitement to life! “Animal Contacto” visits on June 30, and LIVE Animal Night is July 21. All activities take place at 7 p.m. - Attend A Summer Kid Concert-In-The-Park.
Adding music to nature is like a vitamin super boost! Sing and dance with your little ones at the “Bubble Concert” on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m., featuring the famous Joe McDermott.
Nature has a sneaky way of being the BEST medicine in the world. Make sure you get your Vitamin N at Quinta Mazatlan!
Quinta Mazatlan is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday evenings. For more information visit www.quintamazatlan.com.
