New U.S. coalition hopes to get vid-kids back outside

Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Gameboys

More than 50 business leaders, politicians, and activists have formed a national partnership to get America's kids the hell outside. Inspired by recent concerns that too much fun with video games, computers, and TV can lead to obesity and depression, the National Forum on Children and Nature is launching a $20 million campaign to fund 20 demonstration projects across the country. We don't know why it takes $20 million to say, "Turn the TV off and go outside," but we digress. The effort, organized by the Conservation Fund, includes members ranging from Disney to DuPont, from the Memphis Daily News to Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D). "For decades, environmental educators, conservationists, and others have worked, often heroically, to bring more children to nature," says honorary co-chair Richard Louv, whose book Last Child in the Woods sparked the current awareness. "The National Forum on Children and Nature will create a new level of commitment and action. This could be the tipping point."

straight to the source: The Washington Post, Donna St. George, 19 Jun 2007

straight to the source: National Forum on Children and Nature

see also, in Grist: An interview with Richard Louv about getting kids into nature

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Comments: (4 comments)

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Forum Schmorum

Before anyone gets too excited about this, check out www.wildwilderness.org and see what they are really about. Read Scott Silver's blog and find out about the ARC - American Recreation Commission - and their longterm goal of commercializing, privatizing and motorizing recreational opportunities upon our nation's public lands. Typical!

Nature is not a place to visit, it is home. -- Gary Snyder

by poegerl at 10:40 AM on 20 Jun 2007

Electronics aren't the only reason to stay inside.

What's wrong with staying inside with a book?

Robinson

by LJRphoto at 1:07 PM on 20 Jun 2007

Books are great, but its only part of it.

In responding to the comment that kids reading is enough, I offer this: I work at a nature education facility where we have hundreds of kids come through each summer to experience nature first hand. Books are fantastic, they improve imagination, they are amazing educational tools besides being fun. My only concern is that without a balance, kids will be deprived of dirt under their fingernails and chlorophyll stains on their shirts. Kids need experiential education to keep them enthusiastic and excited. It's not only to gain information but to develop a sense of curiosity and exploration. Imagine Dick Cheney as a child. I'm sure he read a great deal, owing to his apparent intellect, but I have a hard time imagining that he would support many of his environmentally destructive policies if he had had an opportunity to experience natural systems first hand, to see why they are important and why they need protection. No one wants to preserve a place they've never been to and the best way to ensure kids have a healthy respect and curiosity for these places if they are given the opportunity to run around in it. It's great for body and mind. Get messy, make mistakes and have fun! THEN read about what you saw.

There is no such thing as "merely" a good thing

by haveasliceofpi at 4:10 PM on 20 Jun 2007

WiMax

Ever hear of a notebook?

Or get an Acer eee ( OLPA - one laptop per adult ), put it in your backpack, climb on a bike and blog at the beach.

by jabailo at 9:54 AM on 21 Jun 2007

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