"For eons, human beings spent most of their formative years in nature. But within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience nature has changed radically. Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in everyone's self-interest, not only because aesthetics or justice demand it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual health depend upon it."
Richard Louv- author, Last Child in the Woods & chairman/founder, Children & Nature NetworkOutside Day's mission, to help reconnect kids (of all ages) to nature and outdoor experiences, has been endorsed by Be Outside, Idaho, affiliate of Louv's international Children & Nature Network. Outside Day is simply an excuse to get outdoors, so it can happen anytime and anywhere. But the focus of our specific program is to put high school and college students in the position of facilitators and naturalists for younger students who either don't have the opportunities or have never been exposed to the natural world. To learn more, please watch the following videos:
Outside Day Video Outside Day PSA Student Made video
STUDENTS, Do you sometimes get bored with TV, music, movies, etc. and wonder if there is something different and fun in life? Do you like being outside, but you don't know what to do or where to go? If so, then Outside Day was made for you. It will help get you outdoors and let you share your adventures with others. Start thinking about how you can start an activity at your school or in your neighborhood and then share it with the entire world through our website.
PARENTS Do you remember all the great times you had growing up, playing from dawn to dusk outside with no worries or commitments? Do you only wish that your children could have the same carefree experiences? Are you afraid of germs, "creepy crawlies," and stranger danger? Are you frustrated with city ordinances and the difficulty getting your kids outdoors? Are you micromanaging your child's every waking moment, trying to build their "resumes" so they can get into the best colleges? Are you concerned that your child is potentially addicted to technology and that they wouldn't know what to do without their Ipods or cell phones? Is your child too sedentary? Do they lack direction or a passion for the simple things in life? Well you're not alone because many parents share these same fears and frustrations about this generation's obvious disconnection from nature. Thankfully Outside Day is committed to reducing your anxiety and pledges to help you get you and your family outdoors and involved in unstructured play and meaningful explorations of nature. With your help, we can reintroduce safe, outdoor experiences in our neighborhoods where they have always belonged.
TEACHERS Do you want to get your students involved in outdoor activities? Do you believe that environmental education is essential, but it doesn't seem to get enough attention in the curriculum? Remember that you play a key role in getting your students fired up and aware of the importance of the environment in their lives. Let your students know which outdoor activities you enjoy and how they too can participate. Take one of many outdoor education classes offered through Project Learning Tree, Project Wild, or Project WET to learn about a multitude of easy and fun environmental activities. Join a professional organization that promotes environmental education like IdEEA, the Idaho Environmental Education Association, or NAAEE, the North American Association of Environmental Education. Take your students on field trips, even it's just out on your school grounds. It's your responsibility to take the lead & make a difference in their lives. If not you, then who? If not now, then when? Also, you may want to start your own extracurricular ecology or outdoor club at your school and join a social network like TREE so your students can connect with other clubs and professional environmental groups who are actively involved in environmental education, research, restoration and outdoor opportunities.
"ELDERS", Are you a professional (currently working or retired) within education, an agency, non-profit organization, or business who wants to share your expertise, outdoor skills and passion for the great outdoors with young people? Do you have the time and desire to make a difference in the younger generation by showing them that there is a lot more to life than technology. That's where Outside Day can help. Teachers are literally swamped just trying to cover the curriculum and they can definitely use the help to organize an Outside Day for their class or school. It's time to bring community resources back into the classrooms to facilitate outdoor opportunities for young people and that's where you come into the equation, by providing time, expertise and a commitment to reconnect kids to nature. We are also looking for outdoor enthusiasts, both past and present, who have amazing stories to share about their recreational adventures and the work they've done outdoors through our podcast called "Talking Outside the Box" or simply "Talking Out." If you have an inspirational story about your time outdoors or know someone who does, then please contact us to set up an appointment for an interview.
Richard Louv autographs Last Child in the Woods for one of his biggest fans.
"It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child" (African Proverb), But It Takes Time Outside to Make a Person Whole (Dick Jordan).
