LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport residents and Hero Project family the Alvarezes are the latest winners of the Lake County Office of Education’s Hero Project family challenge, Play & Explore.
 
The Play & Explore challenge is about encouraging and reminding busy parents to get out and explore beautiful Lake County and play with their children.
 
In our technology rich culture it’s easy to get caught up with being busy and forget a seemingly little thing that is so important to the development of our children and our family relationships – play.
 
Play is so much more than having the newest toy. Play is about fostering interest and supporting child development through exploration, experimentation and learning through the act of both group and individual play.
 
Hero Project mom Julie Alvarez said it is very important for her to support her four active children, ranging in age from age 10 years to 7 months.
 
“The Play & Explore challenge was a reminder for us to get outside and enjoy time together and learn new things,” she said.
 
Asked about  what the family’s favorite part of the challenge was, she said, “We really enjoyed getting out as a family and discovering new places in our community to play and explore together – we learned a lot!”
 
The Alvarez family received a baby block play set, a set of magnetic blocks, a children’s book on identifying plants by their leaves and bark, a bug vacuum kit and a science expedition kit – all to encourage continued exploration through play.
 
The Alvarez family are seasoned Hero Project participants. They joined the Hero Project in January of 2015 and have completed a number of challenges, having enjoyed and grown from every one.
 
Visit www.lakecountyheroproject.com to learn more about the Hero Project and to take the current challenge.
 
Tamara Thornquist works for the Lake County Office of Education.