News Release »
| Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor | Dee Freeman, Secretary |
| N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources |  |
| Release: Immediate | Contact: Charlie Peek | |
| Date: 2009-09-21 | Phone: (919) 715-8709 |
Celebrate 'Take a Child Outside Week' with State Parks
RALEIGH -- An reptile roundup, a stream safari, an astronomy extravaganza and a sand dunes treasure hunt are among more than 80 special programs scheduled at North Carolina’s state parks during Take a Child Outside Week Sept. 24-30.
Many programs are offered by park rangers in late afternoons and at sunset so that adults can spend quality time with children throughout the week in the 36 state parks and state recreation areas.
State parks also offer exciting Get Outside! kits during the special week for families and small groups. The kits prompt do-it-yourself activities to rediscover nature’s wonders, and the first 50 parents or adult leaders to use them with children will receive a gift certificate for a free night’s camping.
Research has shown that engaging children in nature promotes learning, creativity and healthy lifestyles. Children who learn to play in natural settings are often more physically fit, score higher on test of concentration and often can simply enjoy life more fully.
Take a Child Outside Week originated in 2007 with environmental educators at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and was sparked by the book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. The book suggests that opportunities for children to explore forests, fields and wetlands are disappearing in favor of afternoons spent playing video games. Now in its third year, the annual celebration has spread across the world with international partners in Canada, the United Kingdom and Belize.
“State parks have always been safe but exciting places for people to rediscover nature, offering miles of trails, free interpretive programs by rangers and museum-quality exhibits as well as opportunities just to explore independently,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director.
The Web site www.takeachildoutside.com helps parents, teachers and other caregivers find places, activities and ideas for outdoor discovery. For more information about North Carolina state parks and their environmental education programs and events, go to www.ncparks.gov.
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(Editors: High-resolution images of past Take a Child Outside Week events are available by contacting the public information office of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.)
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