Building a Movement to Reconnect Children & Nature © 2008 1

Building a Movement to Reconnect Children & Nature

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Mission

The mission of the Children & Nature Network is to build a movement to reconnect children and nature.

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Shared Vision

To create a culture where every child, in every community, has a wide range of opportunities to experience nature directly.

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Healing the broken bond

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

Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

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The Book that Launched a Movement

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What Research Says: The Deficit• Children are spending 40 to 65 hours or more a week

attached to electronic media.

• Fewer than 1 in 5 children walk or ride a bike to school.

• Childhood obesity has increased from 4% in the 1960s to about 20% today.

• Children have less time for unstructured, creative play in the outdoors than ever before in human history.

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What Research Says: The BenefitsChildren are happier, healthier and smarter

when they connect with nature.

– Happier: Nature play increases self esteem, improves psychological health and reduces stress. Children learn self-discipline and are more cooperative.

– Healthier: Nature play improves physical conditioning and reduces obesity.

– Smarter: Nature play stimulates creativity and improves problem solving. Children do better in school.

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Definition of Children and Nature Centered Experiences

• those that instill wonder and engender curiosity

• take place in outdoor settings ranging from backyards to neighborhoods to city parks to wilderness

• take the shape of guided activities as well as unstructured nature play in children’s everyday lives

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What If?

“What if parents, grandparents and kids around the country were to band together to create nature clubs for families? What if this new form of social/nature networking were to spread as quickly as book clubs and Neighborhood Watches did in recent decades? We would be well on our way to true cultural change.”

Richard Louv, Chairman, Children & Nature Network

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Nature Clubs for Families

Getting your children and your community of friends and neighbors out into nature is a small but revolutionary step, one that can begin to reverse the current trend of disconnection from the natural world.

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Children & Nature

Networkwebsite

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Natural Families Network™

• Inspire

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Natural Families Network™

• Inspire

• Links to Support

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Natural Families Network™

• Inspire

• Links to Support

• List

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Natural Families Network™• Find out what others are doing

• Find links to their website, Facebook page, and additional information and local resources

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Linking One-to-Many

C&NN CONNECTwww.childrenandnature.ning.com

Share your stories with everyone in the network, a growing community of hundreds of nature club organizers and other NING network members.

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Do-It-Yourself Resources

In addition to these social networking tools, Natural Families Network™ members have access to tools, resources and training.

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A Few Key Benefits of a Family Nature Club

• can be created in any neighborhood, whether inner city, suburban, or rural, and in any economic setting

• can be joined or created by any family – single parents, extended families, friends who feel like families

• this approach can break down key barriers, including fear of strangers, since there is safety in numbers

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Safety in Numbers

Kids In the Valley, Adventuring! established 2007

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Kids in the Valley Adventuring

“The unknown is no longer a concern. No one will mess with 45 people walking together in the woods!”

Chip and Ashley Donahue, KIVA

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More Benefits!

• There is the motivation factor – it’s much more likely you and your family are going to show up at a park on Saturday morning if you know there’s another family waiting for you.

• Shared knowledge: many parents want to give their children the gifts of nature, but they don’t feel they know enough about nature to do so.

• And, importantly, there is no need to wait for funding. Families can do this themselves and do it now.

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In Their Own Words

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“I think the most important thing we can do is build community where we live. Use your backyard, use your park. Everybody can make the community better. And it’s fun!”

Kari Svenneby, Active Kids Club

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“Families bond when they play, talk, and learn in nature. When they discover a new bug or wildflower, they experience a sense of wonder and make memories together on their trail.” Laurel Dodge, Nature Strollers

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“I have built free-play time into every event. The mixed ages play so beautifully together that I am always holding back tears. I want to invite families to make memories together, to feel peace together, and to know it doesn’t have to cost a dime.”

Jodi Hiland, Happy Trails

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“A lot of what I do is introducing the idea that it’s okay to stay near where you live – that there’s plenty to do right where you live.”

Inland Empire Kids Outdoors, Wendy Sparks

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“You don’t have to wait for a ‘green play’ prescription from your doctor. You can start today with family and friends by opening the door to go outside to explore the wealth of natural adventures right in your own backyard, neighborhood and community.”

Cheryl Charles, President and CEO, Children & Nature Network

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Nature Rocks

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Nature Rocks cont’d

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Nature Rocks – Guide to starting a club

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Find More Ideas at www.naturecircles.org

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A fun take-it-with-you resourceNature Circle Cards make it easy and fun for adults to experience nature with children.

The cards can be used anywhere – at parties, neighborhood picnics, camping trips, family gatherings, and nature club outings.

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Nature Circle CardsHooked On Nature created these cards in partnership with:

•Children & Nature Network

•American Camp Association

•National Wildlife Federation

•US Fish & Wildlife Service

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Nature Circle Cards15 experiences and 15 questions that engage the senses, stimulate creativity and imagination, foster caring and concern for the Earth, and create the space for children and adults to bond with each other and the natural world.

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Nature Circle CardsA limited number of sets are available at no charge to those who are hosting a workshop.

Additional quantities are available. For information on retail/wholesale pricing as well as quantity discounts for those who wish to give them away visit:www.naturecircles.org

Quantity discounts for those who wish to give them away

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Other DIY Resources•Passport to Adventure – REI•Green Spoken Here – ACA•Field Notes From the Future•Richard Louv’s blog - The Backyard Revolution•Greenhour.org •“Parent’s Guide to Nature Play” •Books and resources listed on C&NN website•Online e-course with ACA •Others you know about? •Let us know about additional resources

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Get Started Today! Download your Tool Kit at

www.childrenandnature.org/natureclubs

Find out about Nature Circle Cards www.naturecircles.org

Explore Nature Rocks www.naturerocks.org

Join C&NN Connect www.childrenandnature.ning.com

Sign up for the C&NN Newsletter www.childrenandnature.org/newsletters/signup

Add your club to the C&NN movement map: www.childrenandnature.org/natureclubs/map

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