"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, Children & Nature Network
Outside Day's mission is to help reconnect kids (of all ages) to nature and outdoor experiences. It has been endorsed by the Idaho Children and Nature Network as part of their statewide initiative called Be Outside Idaho. Their wonderful website provides access to many outdoor activities and events throughout Idaho. Check out our tab "Getting Out" for even more ways to get outdoors. Visit our new public service announcement and forward it on to others to help spread the word.
Students, Do you get bored with TV, music, movies, etc. and sometimes long for something different and fun in your 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 allow you to share your adventures with others. Start thinking about how you can start an Outside Day activity at your school or in your neighborhood and then share it with the entire world through the OD website.
Parents, Do you remember all the great times you had growing up outside, playing from dawn to dusk 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," stranger danger and for your child's well being? Are you micromanaging your child's every waking morning and building their "resumes" so they can get into the best colleges and they're still in elementary school? Are you concerned that your child is addicted to technology and that they wouldn't know what to do without their Ipods, Playstations, 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 your fears and frustrations about this generation's 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 club at your school and join the TREE network so your students can connect with other ecology clubs and professional environmental groups who are actively involved in environmental education, research, restoration and adventures.
"Elders", Are you a retired professional from an agency, a non-profit organization, business or the educational community who wants to share your expertise, skills and passion for nature and the great outdoors with young people? Do you finally have the time and the desire to make a difference in the younger generation by showing them that there is a lot more to life than simply 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 organizing 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.
"It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child" (African Proverb), But It Takes Time Outside to Make a Person Whole (Dick Jordan).
