Sagadahoc County Board of Health

Please see the Sagadahoc County COVID-19 page for additional resources and important information.

The Sagadahoc County Board of Health is constituted as an official advisory board to the County Commissioners under applicable MRSA provisions and subject to all applicable rules and regulations governing official boards and committees. The Board will receive staff support from the Director of the Sagadahoc Emergency Management Agency and an officially appointed County Health Officer.

We envision a caring and compassionate community where all members are encouraged and supported to lead healthy and happy lives. Our inclusive community assures economic security, a safe environment, and healthy choices for all. All members of our community have access to quality, affordable, mental, oral, and physical health care that focuses on prevention.

COVID-19

Protect Yourself and Others! The Best Way to Prevent Illness is to Avoid Being Exposed to this Virus. Everyone Should: Wash their hands frequently, in the words of Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah ,"Wash your hands. It’s not just casual handwashing. It’s washing with intensity. The best way I’ve seen this described was to wash your hands as if you have just sliced a bag of jalapeno peppers and now need to take out your contact lenses. … That’s what we know will generate enough mechanical friction to wash the virus away." Avoid Close Contact, avoid close contact with those who are sick and practice Social Distancing as much as you can by stay 6ft away from other. Stay at home as much as possible and when you do leave the C.D.C. recommends wearing a fabric mask. These steps are especially important for those who are considered to be at higher risk. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, studies have found that you are able to spread the virus even when not feeling any symptoms. The face covers are to protect other people in case you are not showing symptoms but still carrying the virus. These covers ARE NOT a replacement for Social Distancing. Cover Coughs and Sneezes, while this recommendation is not specific to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is especially to practice proper hygiene such as coughing or sneezing into your elbow as well as frequently washing your hands.

10 Outdoor Activities that don't require snow!

1. Fort building

Building forts is one of those quintessential activities of childhood. And one of the best things about this activity is that you can do it year-round! Leafless twigs and branches just happen to be in abundance during winter, so gather these up and start building! Try out a tepee, lean-to, or an A-frame shelter.

2. Have a fire

firepit

Fires are great any time of year, but I could argue that they’re the BEST in the winter since this is when we’re all probably the most in need of the warmth and comfort that fire provides. Make sure to include hot drinks and something to roast over the fire. Hot dogs, marshmallows….popcorn anybody?
More ideas for cozy winter fires:

Blankets
Lanterns
Serving tray
Roasting sticks
Large thermos for storing hot drinks

3. Obstacle course backyard games

We love the idea of this as an outdoor winter activity because one of the best ways to stay warm outside is to get moving! Set up cones or natural obstacles to zigzag around, hurdles to jump over, tunnels to crawl through, things to climb over, balance beams to cross, rocks (or these safer indoor/outdoor stepping stones) to jump across, and so on.

4. Have a picnic

Do this in your own backyard or head to a park! Make sure to bring warm food and drink and a waterproof mat. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try actually preparing your meal outside over a fire, on the grill, or on a camp stove. Or, if you’re going for simplicity, just bring some hot chocolate and a small snack.

5. Go for a hike

winter hike Sorry, but this one just never gets old! The great thing about hiking is that every season has a unique experience to offer! Winter hiking generally means no bugs and having trails primarily to yourself. If your kids are bored with hiking in general, try something new, like a sensory hike where you pay particular attention to the sounds, smells, and textures as well as the sights around you.

6. Visit a botanical garden or arboretum

7. Make bird feeders

pinecone birdfeeder We did this awhile back, and it’s been one of my favorite outdoor winter activities that we’ve tried! The birds in our area seemed to enjoy the pine cones that we smothered in peanut butter and coated with birdseed the best!

I love that this activity offers a DIY, the opportunity to get outside and decorate the tree, and the chance to watch the birds after! You can even grab a bird identification book and see if your kids can figure out which types of bird visitors you have!

8. Go to the playground

Judging by the lack of people at playgrounds during colder parts of the year, perhaps the general population needs to be informed that playgrounds don’t disappear during the winter only to magically reappear in the springtime. They are, in fact, still there! All year!

Admittedly, these can be a little hazardous when it’s icy out. But when snow and ice are absent, they’re a great place to take the kids (and yourself) for some fresh air and exercise.

9. Go on a nature scavenger hunt

scaveger hunt outside Since winter is the time of year that everything is dead, scavenger hunts probably aren’t typically considered when brainstorming outdoor winter activities.

In the winter, be on the lookout for things like deer and moose antlers, berries, seedpods, acorns, evergreens, and dead flower stalks. Try and see if you can discover where bugs are hiding out. Pay attention to the bark on different types of trees and examine it closely with a magnifying glass. Give each child their own mesh collection bag or plastic storage container and compare what everyone gathered afterward!

10. Go to the beach