Connecting Our Children with Nature

Loose Parts Nature Play

Why aren’t children connecting to nature?

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There.aspx

Why should children connect with nature?

Quotes http://www.childrennatureandyou.org/quotes.html

Join an online challenge or group

Seasonal photo challenges http://www.goexplorenature.com/2012/12/2013-winter-nature-photo-scavenger-hunt.html

Weekly topic challenges

http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/

Outdoor family communities

http://www.childrenandnature.org/movement/naturalfamilies/

State Programs

DNR—Get Up and Go Outside

http://www.in.gov/dnr/kids/5991.htm

DNR Kids Page

http://www.in.gov/dnr/kids/5991.htm

Hoosier Outdoor Child

Indiana Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

Patch Programs—challenge, encouragement

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2418.htm

National Programs

National Parks—build them into vacations

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

NP Webrangers

http://www.nps.gov/webrangers/

NP Junior Ranger Programs

http://www.nps.gov/learn/juniorranger.cfm

No Child Left Inside

http://www.eenc.org/index.php/in-the-news/no-child-left-inside

Websites

http://www.childrenandnature.org/

http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/

Outdoor study challenges

www.goexplorenature.com

Loose Parts Play Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/LoosePartsPlay/

Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/ Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutsideMichiana/ Loose Parts Nature Play Website: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com