May 2
Childhood Without Trees?
TREES!!! Filmmaker wants your stories “I remember having a low-branched mulberry tree in our backyard as a child. We would throw sheets over its branches and it was instantly transformed into base camp for the neighborhood “archaeology dig” where we found shards of china that we were certain must have fallen off the wagons as the pioneers travelled west in their wagon trains. By night, it became the site of many a ghost story as we huddled close with our flashlights, wrapped in blankets to stave off the chill. Imaginations ran wild and friendships grew strong in our ‘tree tent’.…
Mar 10
Change a Child’s Life
If you are reading this, odds are that you care deeply about children. You probably have fond memories of playing outdoors as a child – exploring the neighborhood with friends, building forts and letting your imagination take you to exotic worlds. You probably would like to see your children and grandchildren have the experiences that brought joy and wonder to your own childhood. And, you’ve probably noticed that this way of life has all but disappeared from the lives of today’s children because of safety concerns, reduced access to nearby play spaces, overly structured lives and the appeal of electronic…
Jan 22
A Joyous 2014
Reflecting on the successes of the prior year is always a great way to start the new one. Last year saw continued progress in the movement to reconnect children with nature – here, nationally and internationally. We hope you will read full details in our 2013 Annual Report, but local highlights include the addition of helpful resources for families and educators with the launch of Green Umbrella’s Meet Me Outdoors website and our own School Program Finder. Nationally, the expansion of the Children & Nature Network to C&NN Worldwide was a milestone, and the American Public Health Association’s release of a…
Jan 21
Nature Rocks!
Savvy parents know that outdoor play makes kids happier, healthier and smarter, but sometimes struggle to find fresh activity ideas, especially in the winter. If you are looking for inspiration, check out Nature Rocks! The Nature Conservancy partnered with Disney, the Children & Nature Network and EcoAmerica to produce a resource that will inspire and empower families to play and explore in nature, including your own backyard. And don’t forget, whenever you are looking for local places to go, events and programs, check out Green Umbrella’s Meet Me Outdoors website.
Aug 31
Back to School!
SCHOOL PROGRAM FINDER: Free Resource for Teachers LNCIgc’s new School Program Finder is a one-stop shop for anyone looking for school and after-school nature-based or environmental education outreach programs, field trips and camps. The School Program Finder lists dozens of local programs and allows you to search by topic, grade level, cost and more. We encourage you to conduct your school and after-school programs outside whenever possible! If you’d like help “greening” your school grounds or connecting with nearby nature for outdoor education, please contact us – we would love to help. THREE GREAT IDEAS FOR TEACHERS You Can Get Your Students…
May 20
Retired Teacher Pilots Outdoor Adventure Clubs for Urban High School Students
Denny McFadden is a retired teacher whose dream was to introduce urban youth to the great outdoors. “For many years while teaching in the Cincinnati Public School district, I facilitated annual team building canoe trips for students and fellow teachers. During those outdoor adventures, I witnessed a number of amazing things happen among our students and staff. Lots of kids and adults who had never paddled a canoe struggled mightily. Some became increasingly frustrated and discouraged as they tried to keep their boats upright and pointed downstream. Eventually, however, the skills of each and every paddler improved, and as we…
May 16
Got a great idea for a backyard game?
Enter the CLIF Kid Backyard Game contest as an individual or a group and win $15,000 for your favorite non-profit, a $10,000 scholarship or other prizes! Need a little inspiration? Check out last year’s winners.
May 16
MeetMeOutdoors.com is Launched!
Great news!!!! Now you can see all of Greater Cincinnati’s outdoor events and programs on one convenient website. MeetMeOutdoors.com allows you to search for outdoor fun by activity and date. The site, sponsored by Green Umbrella, features not only upcoming special events, but also on-going programs in our region. It also contains a map of area destinations and retailers that supply outdoor gear. What a great resource for families throughout our region! Take a look and Meet Me Outdoors!
Mar 28
It’s Not Just About Obesity
Leave No Child Inside – Greater Cincinnati was founded in order to educate the community that time spent in nature is essential to the physical, mental and emotional health of all children. Because obesity is one of the most pressing issues facing the health community today (26% of children between the ages of 2-5 are overweight or obese, and that number leaps to 33% in school age children), it's easy to lose sight of other issues related to the relatively recent disappearance of unstructured play in nature. With the near extinction of that experience, we are seeing unprecedented levels of…
Mar 28
Where Nature Meets Story – for Parents and Educators
Research shows that spending time in nature makes kids happier, healthier and smarter. Reading is probably the single most important skill for achievement in school and success in life. So, why not combine the two? The Children & Nature Network’s Where Nature Meets Story is a place for parents and educators to find fun, outdoor activities for kids with a coordinated recommended reading list for toddlers to young adults. Explore a wide range of activity themes, including “A Fort of One’s Own: Making Hide-outs” and “Of Fairies, Gnomes and Hobbits: Imagined Worlds in Nature”. Check it out and start your…
