Great Outdoor Blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 15, 2008
Contact: Jon Pishney, 919-733-7450 x304, jonathan.pishney@ncmail.net

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, an agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is proud to spearhead a national initiative called Take A Child Outside week. Now in its second year, this program was inspired by Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods,” which identifies the benefits of outdoor experiences for children and addresses some of the problems of what he terms ‘nature deficit disorder,’ such as increased feelings of stress, trouble paying attention and feelings of being disconnected from the world.

The Museum’s experience with, and commitment to, getting children outdoors led to the development of Take A Child Outside week, scheduled for Sept. 24-30. According to the event’s creator Liz Baird, “the Museum hopes to inspire even more parents, teachers and caregivers to take children outdoors and help reacquaint them with nature.” This summer, Gov. Easley officially proclaimed Sept. 24-30 as Take A Child Outside week, noting that “in an era when many children believe that computers are more important than nature, it is vital for parents to introduce their children to the outdoors as an essential part of their education.”

On the Take A Child Outside web site , adults can make a promise to take a child outside during the week. After their outing, they can return and post a description of where they went and what they did, or read about other people’s adventures. There is a list of possible activities to do outdoors if the adults need inspiration. Additionally, they can search the nation (and beyond) for partners in the Take A Child Outside effort. Teachers who make a pledge and take their classes outside will receive a discount coupon from Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Baird, who is also the director of school programs for the Museum, says the event’s reach and popularity has been pleasantly surprising. Last year, more than 160 organizations signed on as partners representing 38 states and two foreign countries (Canada and Belize). This year the reach will be even greater, with more than 250 partners, including ones in Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Louv is scheduled to speak and attend a book signing at the Greensboro Montessori School Thursday, September 25.

You can also venture outside with Museum educators to explore a variety of habitats — including a piedmont prairie, woodlands, a lowland forest and a pond — on Tuesday, September 30 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Museum’s Prairie Ridge Ecostation in west Raleigh. Guided walks will begin every 30 minutes, with the last walk at 6 p.m. The Great Outdoor Provision Company has donated $500 worth of outdoor equipment to be given away at this event! For directions and more information on Prairie Ridge, visit naturalsciences.org/prairieridge. Dover Foundation of Shelby is also a sponsor of Take A Child Outside week.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh documents and interprets the natural history of the state through exhibits, research, collections, publications and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum online at naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm and is filed under We Support, Family Camping, Outdoor Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.