Here's to outdoor fun this summer!
In June, Outdoor Nation sponsored a two-day forum, bringing more than 500 young leaders from across the United States together to address the growing disconnect between young people and the outdoors. The two-day event, held in Central Park in New York City, outlined top youth-led ideas, priorities and solutions and developed an Outdoor Nation Declaration.
Outdoor Nation participants voted on problems and ideas related to the outdoors, which I found sum up to the following key points:
- Having an outdoor experience at a young age can make a huge difference in someone’s life. However, the group made it clear that guides to the outdoors - parents, mentors, nature center naturalists, teachers – are needed.
- Young people today are more interested in their technology and X-Boxes than the outdoors, which creates an obstacle to getting kids outside.
- Key problems to engaging with the outdoors include lack of parental and school promotion of the outdoors.
- Environmental education should be increased, especially in schools, and environmental service learning opportunities are important.
- Government and corporate resources for environmental education are critical.
To view the entire document and key points, visit www.outdoornation.org.
Check Out These Exciting Opportunities:
In perusing the Outdoor Nation Web site, I found a few exciting opportunities for youth and nonprofits that I am excited to share:
Outdoor Nation Youth Ambassadors Needed: Outdoor Nation has 20 youth ambassadors who represent their communities, promote Outdoor Nation’s work and guide its direction. They are currently seeking additional Ambassadors (ages 13 – 26) who are willing to share their commitment and inspire their friends, families, schools and communities to redefine, reclaim and rediscover the outdoors. If you are interested in learning more, email Ed Dunigan at edunigan@outdoornation.org.
Youth Reporters Needed: SNEWS, the leading industry news service for the outdoor and fitness industries, is launching a Youth Reporting Team and needs young voices to write about their outdoor experiences, outdoor events and ways the outdoor industry can encourage youth to be active outdoors. SNEWS (www.snewsnet.com) is the leading voice of the outdoor industry and is on the cutting edge of news and investigations, industry education and business training. Email youthteam@snewsnet.com or call 530-268-8295 for more information.
North Face Launches the Explore Fund: North Face has launched a grant-giving program supporting nonprofit community organizations that break down the barriers to getting youth outdoors. Explore Fund applications are now being accepted online through August 15, 2010 at www.explorefund.org.
I hope you’ll share these opportunities with those in your sphere who might benefit from them in any way. Please let me know if you get involved, too – I would love to know!
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Jenni,
This picture makes me so very, very, very happy! Love the blog and all your great insight into making nature a part of everyday life.
Thanks for sharing this great photo!
Hi Tanya! So glad you saw it – we love the tag-along and have shared it with friends, too. What fun! Hope ya’ll are having a fun summer and thanks for your reply!
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