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Introduction

The vision and mission of the Children & Nature Network is to give every child in every community a wide range of opportunities to experience nature directly, reconnecting our children with nature's joys and lessons, its profound physical and mental bounty.

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Take A Child Outside Week!

Children and Nature Movement Bolstering Youth Participation Rates!

October 7, 2009

While participation in outdoor recreation among kids ages 6 to 17 and young adults 18 to 24 declined for the third year in a row in 2008, signs abound that the trend may soon be reversed.

From neighborhood nature clubs to the White House and Congress, momentum is building

GET THE FACTS

September 25, 2009

-Kids are spending less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago

-Playing outdoors can increase creativity, reduce stress, and lead to increased physical fitness

-Children who play outside become fitter and leaner

-Early-life outdoor experiences- whether alone or with others-have been identified as the most important factor in developing and environmental ethic

-Short-term

Connecting Children With Nature

September 25, 2009

Research indicates that children are happier, healthier and smarter when they have nature-based outdoor play time as part of their everyday lives.

-According to recent studies the estimated percentage of time today's children spend indoors is 90% with 23% of children spending NO time outdoors.

-The average daily hours children aged 8-18

Take A Child Outside Week

September 24, 2009

9/24/2009-9/30/2009

Take A Child Outside Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences kicks off Thursday, September 24 and runs through Wednesday, September 30. Designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from exploring the natural world, the week encourages children and adults to spend time

The Wonder Bowl: what are you doing this summer?

August 11, 2009

Got dirt? “In South Carolina, a truckload of dirt is the same price as a video game!” reports Norman McGee, a father in that state who bought a small pickup-load of dirt for his daughter and friends.

McGee, who took the wonderful

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Film Captures Last Children in the Woods

September 25, 2009

A sobering short film from the Netherlands shows noted environmentalist and author Thomas van Slobbe on the trail of an endangered species: children playing outdoors. Shot in the style of a traditional nature documentary, this darkly comic piece imagines a not-too-distant future when children never venture outdoors.

Introducing The Natural Leaders Network

August 11, 2009

The Natural Leaders Network is an initiative of the Children & Nature Network. With the founding support of The Sierra Club and corporate support of The North Face, we are ready to take on the challenge.