Media & Culture

Kansas City Star – July 12, 2009

Using Twitter to Sell the Appeal of the Outdoors

By Chad Day
As the Kansas City Star reports, one of the biggest challenges facing conservationists, fishing enthusiasts, and others trying to interest young people in the outdoors is that this younger generation is essentially an indoor generation. The key to reaching them, then, may be using social-networking tools like Facebook and Twitter. [+]

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Education | Resource

PRWeb – July 02, 2009

Nature School Issues Guide for Connecting Kids with Nature

A new book developed by the nonprofit Wilderness Awareness School in Washington State introduces experiential teaching methods to help parents, teachers, and outdoor leaders share the wonder of nature with kids of all ages. Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature is, in the words of one of its authors, a “way of teaching [that] hones students' senses and connects their imagination to the natural world.” [+]

• [>] read the press release

Education | Legislation/Policy

New York Times Magazine – April 29, 2009

New York Times Magazine: Kindergarten Cram

By Peggy Orenstein
Kindergarten has changed in the last few decades, and not necessarily for the better, writes Peggy Orenstein in the New York Times Magazine. Rather than letting children engage in free play, the typical kindergarten class today focuses on standardized tests and literacy exercises. Orenstein questions this trend, and finds support for her beliefs in the “Crisis in the Kindergarten” report by the Alliance for Childhood. [+]

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Leadership

C&NN Natural Leader, Maya Quintana, Shares Her Thoughts on the Benefits of Time Spent in Nature

By Maya Melissa Quintana
Maya Quintana, a Native American from the pueblos of Cochiti and Zia, shares a transformational experience that helped her understand the benefits of time spent in nature. Maya attended the 2008 C&NN Grassroots Gathering in Nebraska as a founding member of C&NN's "Natural Leaders." [+]

Media & Culture

Idaho Statesman – December 23, 2008

Gift Ideas to Get Kids Outdoors

By Peter Zimowsky
Rather than waiting in line for the latest electronic gadget, parents should consider giving their children toys that encourage outdoor play. Writer Peter Zimowsky of the Idaho Statesman offers a number of suggestions, including compact binoculars and kid-sized fishing poles. He also reminds parents that giving an outdoors gift means committing to take their children fishing, hiking, birding, or sledding. [+]

Media & Culture

Anchorage Daily News – December 10, 2008

Our view: C’mon out and play—God didn’t make Alaska to celebrate the great indoors

Officials from local, state, and federal organizations gathered in Alaska recently for the Get Outdoors, Anchorage! summit to discuss nature-deficit disorder and its causes. The summit offered participants an opportunity to learn about successful efforts to reconnect children and nature and to identify opportunities in the region to engage children with nature. [+]

• [>] Get Outdoors, Anchorage! Web site

Natural Leader Tamara Poles and Virginia Museum of Natural History are Putting People Back in Touch with Nature

Nearly 13,000 people have taken part in 247 programs of the Community Nature Initiative. [+]

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TRACK Trails Offer Nationwide Weapon Against Nature-Deficit Disorder

New interpretive trail system for kids comes to U.S. national parks. [+]

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Applications Open for 2012 TogetherGreen Fellowships and Innovation Grants

Audubon & Toyota seek to fund promising conservation leaders and community-based projects. [+]

“No Child Left Ashore” Movement Makes Waves

SF Bay Area's Pegasus Project gets students out on the water, where transformations occur. [+]

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Play England Calls for Support to Help Kids Play Outside

Research shows that 21% of children play outdoors daily, compared to 71% during their parents'… [+]

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A Healing Place for Children

C&NN Founding Chair Richard Louv consulting on new children's treatment center in MN, which is… [+]

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National Kids to Parks Day Set for May 19

Nationwide day of outdoor play organized by National Park Trust. Classroom contest ends March 1. [+]

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Chevy Chase, MD, Preschool Encourages Learning Outside the Box

Preschoolers spend at least half a day outside in woods, in all seasons. [+]

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Study: Preschoolers Need to Get a Move On

Most pre-school children spend hours doing sedentary activities instead of playing outside, research has shown. [+]

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• [>] Read more about the AAP study