[Vision2020] Fw: [Spam 5.86] BE OUTSIDE!

Thu Jan 29 12:52:06 PST 2009

I really like what the CiNN network is all about-getting kids into
nature.  But, speaking as a former professional Scout coordinator, it
seems a bit redundant.  We've had Girl and Boy Scouts for almost 100
years doing just this.  The program is in place, the support network
has already been built, 100s of thousands of kids are participating
with the assistance of numerous volunteers, and many great camps
exist.  Why not support and grow what we already have?

2009/1/29 Joe Campbell <philosopher.joe at gmail.com>:
> Great post, Roger!
>
> Joe Campbell
>
> On Jan 29, 2009, at 10:51 AM, lfalen <lfalen at turbonet.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> -----Original message-----
>>
>> From: "Crapo News Release (Crapo)" newsclips at crapo.senate.gov
>> Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:11:13 -0800
>> To:
>> Subject: [Spam 5.86] BE OUTSIDE!
>>
>> FOR RELEASE
>> CONTACT:           Susan Wheeler (202) 224-5150
>> Week of February 1,
>> 2008                                                   Laura
>> Thurston Goodroe (202) 224-7500
>>
>>                                BE OUTSIDE!
>>                Guest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo
>>
>> "Eventually, most of us figure out that it's people, not nature, who
>> create morality, values, ethics-and even the idea that nature itself
>> is something worth preserving.  We choose to be shepherds and
>> stewards, or we don't...We will live wisely-preserving water and air
>> and everything else intrinsic to the equation we're only beginning
>> to understand-or we won't, in which case Nature will fill the vacuum
>> when we leave."
>> --Seth Norman, in Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods" (2006)
>>
>> In "Last Child in the Woods," author Richard Louv outlines negative
>> consequences of a generation of children growing up more removed
>> from the outdoors than their parents and grandparents.  Not only
>> does this threaten our heritage of respect for and understanding of
>> our natural resources, but studies show that, in children, there a
>> strong correlation between playing outdoors and healthy minds and
>> bodies.  In fact, studies have shown that more brain learning occurs
>> when children are outside interacting with nature than when they
>> watch television.
>>
>> Over the past few years, a nationwide grassroots movement has arisen
>> in response to Louv's book, called the Children in Nature Network.
>> Idaho has taken a lead in promoting this, creating a multi-partner,
>> multi-stakeholder coalition called the Idaho Children in Nature
>> Network (ICNN).  I am proud to join Governor and Mrs. Otter, the
>> administrations and faculty of Boise State University and University
>> of Idaho, agencies, businesses, schools and individuals across Idaho
>> in promoting this important effort to get Idaho's children outside.
>> ICNN's "Be Outside" campaign kicks off on January 30.
>>
>> Growing up in southeastern Idaho, I learned about the outdoors while
>> hunting and fishing with family and friends.  As a father, I've
>> spent time with my children, doing the same activities.  Being
>> outside is critical for children.  More young people are obese and
>> suffer from diabetes and depression than ever before.  Symptoms of
>> attention deficit disorders are widespread, affecting children at
>> school and home.   Studies are reinforcing what many of us, our
>> parents and grandparents know:  getting kids outside improves
>> overall wellness, keeping children more physically fit and reducing
>> symptoms of depression and attention disorders.  The natural world
>> has many lessons to teach children, from the cycle of life and death
>> to a better understanding of our place in this world.
>>
>> While organized youth sports are vital to communities and provide
>> valuable exercise and socialization opportunities for children, the
>> focus of "Be Outside" is to get kids outdoors in unstructured play-
>> interacting with nature:  trees, water, rocks and, yes, even dirt!
>> ICNN includes over 100 diverse agencies, organizations and private
>> citizens coming together to "connect children with nature in Idaho,
>> from backyards to mountaintops."  The coalition includes partners
>> from education, health care, sportsmen and women, outdoor
>> recreation, conservation, local, state and federal agencies,
>> community leaders and businesses.  The coalition will work to
>> improve integration of environmental education and create public-
>> private partnerships to harness resources and foster cooperation,
>> while emphasizing Idaho's unique outdoor heritage.  The end goal:
>> to improve our children's well-being and encourage a lifelong
>> appreciation and respect for our great outdoors.  This is one of the
>> best ways!
>>  to
>> ensure long term environmental stewardship.
>>
>> Getting kids outside can be a simple as having them play in the
>> backyard, park or open space.  Working together to provide
>> opportunities beyond that only increases the positive outcomes.
>> Many Idaho children are raised to appreciate the outdoors; the goal
>> of "Be Outside" is to provide even more children with these
>> opportunities.
>>
>> This winter, and in the coming spring, summer and beyond, I hope you
>> find time to "Be Outside" with the children in your life.
>>
>> WORD COUNT: 599
>>
>> To link directly to this news release, please go to:  http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=307425&&
>>
>>
>> ...
>> ...
>> ...
>> ...
>> ...
>> ...
>> .....................................................................
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>> .  Comments sent to this e-mail address will not be responded to.
>>
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