Children in Nature August Update

Greetings to Children in Nature Enthusiasts!

This service is provided by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA).  This is our August update.  I have continued with the format showing full links.  This way links can be "copy and pasted" to link, if the hot link fails or is scrubbed by your computer system security.

If you wish to be removed from this service please hit reply and put "REMOVE" in the subject line of your email.

We will begin with links from Agnes Croxford at the Leisure Information Network.

The Canadian Camping Association is conducting an impromptu survey of families with children who attend summer camps.  How does the experience affect behavior?  Go to
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/999495/when-your-children-return-from-camp-you-may-not-recognize-them

This article on Active Play cites the benefits of getting kids away from screens and moving around, both in nature and on the playground.  http://www.theprovince.com/health/Reclaiming+play+time/6901110/story.html

Richard Louv is interviewed on CTV National News.  Click here for the 6 minute video: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/author-says-technology-fear-keeping-kids-indoors-1.885093

From Bobby Cato, my link to the National Environmental Education Foundation in the US, I have a link to the Project Based Learning Unit Organization PBLU with some interesting school yard projects for grades 4 to 6.  Check it out at: http://www.pblu.org/projects/schoolyard-habitat-project

Brenda Wispinski has provided a link to the Edmonton & Area Land Trust with information on a children's art event they held.  See the site here: http://ealt.ca/childrens-biodiversity-art/

As is always the case, I encourage you to stay in touch with the US based Children & Nature Network website.  They compile very useful information on this site.  Click here to link:  http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=84bc8aed7ef3c95d84fa1e04b&id=bba41e9741&e=93d7815151

From the Get to Know people we have a link to their website.  This is a program the focuses on children and youth involvement in art projects in the out-of-doors.  Some very interesting initiatives at: http://www.get-to-know.org/

Mike Bingley, from Scouts Canada has provided some great links.  Thanks Mike.

Mike provides a link to an article by David Sobel, the author of place based education and experiential education.  There is a strong message to interpreters and green space managers about how to invite children to interact with nature.  See it here:  http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/6929

Mike provides another link to an article on nearsightedness in children NOT playing outdoors.  You may recall a similar article two years ago from an Australian study.  Also watch the video on how to get your kids to play outside!  See this new article at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/05/outdoor-play-eyes-nearsightedness-myopia-eyesight_n_1734235.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Mike's final offering is an article on digital photography as a means of getting "tech kids" outdoors.  Click here: http://www.thestar.com/living/parent/article/1241380--digital-photography-helps-wired-kids-plug-into-nature

Sherry Wallace from the City of Edmonton reports on the Family Nature Nights she has been running throughout the summer in partnership with the Edmonton Science Outreach Network and the Young Naturalists Club.  Check the youtube video on a recent event at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSfjNIOqoeo.Sherry further reports 30 to 75 participants have been the norm.  See http://www.facebook.com/FNNED for further pictures.  Thanks Sherry, for highlighting this success.

The Alberta Council for Environmental Education continues to be a strong supporter of the need for children to spend timeoutdoors.  Visit their website at http://abcee.org/resource-centre/

All for now,

Cliff Lacey
Children in Nature Specialist

Children in Nature Summer Update

Greetings to Children in Nature Enthusiasts!

This service is provided by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). This is our summer update.

The Robert Bateman "Get to Know Program" contest closes in mid July. Click on the link for details on this program that gets young artists, outdoors: http://www.get-to-know.org/contest/canada/

Paul Feser from Spruce Grove sent me this fantastic link to an article from Livable Cities on MUD! It highlights the benefits of exposing kids to the full range of natural experiences to strengthen their immune systems. http://livablecities.org/blog/mud-baths-healthy-children

Sheila Flint from Strathcona County refers us to the School Garden News. This is a California based publication, but does offer helpful ideas for us north of the border: http://www.csgn.org/node/81

Once again I refer you to the Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE). They have an excellent and improving website where you can subscribe to their newsletter. http://abcee.org/

The American Children in Nature Network has Volume 5 of their Research and Studies summary available. Browse this site at: http://www.childrenandnature.org/research/volumes/C106/106

Lifestyle Information Network (LIN) directs us to a site run by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society for a program to get kids outdoors. See: http://www.getoutsidebc.ca/ for details.

Also from LIN, news of a "learn to camp" program offered by Ontario Parks. While not specific to children, one might expect new Canadian families will participate in this program and children will benefit. See http://www.ontarioparks.com/learntocamp/ LIN reports on Active Healthy Kids Canada 2012 Report. Somewhat peripheral to getting children in nature, but highlights the need for it. See:http://lin.ca/resource-details/22491

The Robert Bateman Digital Trail title did not instill confidence in me when I read it, however, it is not what it seems. This may be the way of the future. See; http://lin.ca/resource-details/22660

Victor Elderton, Co-administrator the North Vancouver School District Outdoor School, has provided me with a PDF of an article entitled "The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health". See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22320203

Also Victor provided a link to the David Suzuki Foundation site offering a telephone town hall discussion featuring Richard Louv on June 24. Join the discussion at: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/events/david-suzuki-foundation-telephone-town-hall/?utm_source=AdaptiveMailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=David Suzuki Foundation newsletter&org=408&lvl=100&ite=713&lea=81711&ctr=0&par=1

James Bartram, Education Director of the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre in Jasper National Park has been assembling information on the benefits of outdoor education. This info is posted on a website at: http://www.thepalisadescentre.ca/index.php/2012-03-14-21-45-32/documents/cat_view/11-articles-reports

James also invites you all to look at the Palisades new website at: http://thepalisadescentre.ca/

All for now.....

Cliff Lacey, ARPA Children and Nature Specialist

Children in Nature April Update

Greetings to Children in Nature Enthusiasts!

This service is provided by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). This is our April update. I have continued with the format showing full links. This way links can be "copy and pasted" to link, if the hot link fails or is scrubbed by your security.

From ACEE a link to their website where they are announcing a Community of Practice for Environmental Educators. Go to http://abcee.org/cop/ to learn more and complete a survey.

Also from ACEE, their March newsletter with info on youth outdoor programs in the province.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=zc67ludab&v=001bX0lc4lcuhOoLR6W6XI4Z-HuISE-nkS0QqP9DtnQNebno1mHdYuH-yRhlmXFd0MfPXfflFDrtxVt--v0Sr6n3XqcZ_JibHG59NB_rqEZNu3w_y0_0KyZzA%3D%3D

The following links are from Leisure Information Network (LIN).

This link to a PDF for England's Natural Health Service. This report recommends healthier lifestyles connected to the natural world. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/nhsmanifesto_tcm6-12022.pdf

A report on the mental health of Canada's youth from the federal government. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/prog-ini/school-scolaire/behaviour-comportements/publications/hcyp-sjc-eng.php

Play, not exercise, for fit kids. See article http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/play-not-exercise-for-fit-kids-20120307-1uk01.html

Edmonton community gets a Natural Playground. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Edmonton+first+natural+playground+replaces+plastic+steel+with+rocks+water+greenery/6321700/story.html

Guidelines for physical activity for the early years of life. http://lin.ca/resource-details/21663

Moving on from LIN, Bob Yates is a consultant from BC working with the International Play Association on a survey to understand how municipalities are addressing issues related to children's unstructured play. To complete the survey please click on the following link:
http://www.ipacanada.org/news.html Note this survey is time sensitive, so please do it ASAP.

From Carol Peterson at ARPA a link to a site that talks about gardening as a link to social learning, play and developing a child-nature relationship. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1618866712000234

Richard Louv is going on a book tour of Canada and the US. Not many sites posted for Canada yet, but take a look. While you are at this site, click on home and look around the Children & Nature Network website. http://www.childrenandnature.org/blog/2012/03/27/hear-richard-louv-discuss-the-nature-principle-on-spring-book-tour/

From Doug Marvin at Provincial Parks, a suggestion we take a look at Young Canadians in a Wired World. Click http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/corporate/media_kit/upload/YCWW-III-Teachers-Perspectives_EN.pdf

I got a PDF of the Nature Wild magazine from Nature Alberta, but in my commitment to keep the "volume" of the email smaller, I can only provide you with the link to their website. http://naturealberta.ca/

From Sprynt Ontario we are directed to a report on developing youth councils. Check it out at
http://www.forumfyi.org/content/building-effective-you

From the New Zealand Recreation Association we have a link to the State of Play report just published there. http://fb.milo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/play_movement_whitepaper_NZ.pdf

Terry Krause from Provincial Parks brought to my attention a conference planned for Edmonton on June 11 to 14, on creating and sustaining a healthy environment. http://www.cpha.ca/en/conferences/conf2012.aspx

All for now,

Cliff Lacey, ARPA
Children and Nature Specialist

Children in Nature January Update

Greetings to Children in Nature Enthusiasts!

This service is provided by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). This is our January update. I have continued with the format showing full links. This way links can be "copy and pasted" to link, if the hot link fails.

If you wish to be removed from the service please hit reply and put "REMOVE" in the subject line of your email.

Classroom Earth is offering a free webinar TODAY on greening your school yard. Go to this website and register. The webinar starts at 5 PM Alberta time. http://www.classroomearth.org/gswebinars

From the Leisure Information Network (LIN) a link to the PDF of the Pan-Canadian Survey Re: Children and Nature. http://lin.ca/resource-details/20473

More from LIN. An Australian study on why Aussie children do not spend time outdoors. Very interesting comparisons to USA information. http://lin.ca/resource-details/20657

LIN directs us to an article in the Leader-Post on the physical benefits of active childhood play. http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Childhood+physical+play+crucial+lifelong+health/5916775/story.html

LIN refers us to an article on an Ipsos Reis poll regarding childhood obesity. Canadians expect the federal government to do more! http://www.dailytownsman.com/article/GB/20120109/CP06/301099817/-1/cranbrook/canadians-think-feds-must-do-more-to-combat-childhood-obesity-survey&template=cpArt

As is always the case, I implore you to visit the Children & Nature Network website. There is a plethora of information housed there, that should address your every need. Please go to:
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=84bc8aed7ef3c95d84fa1e04b&id=3771ebd855&e=93d7815151

Ted Ritzer of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation has been instrumental in assisting the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association to establish the Gateway to Nature apps on the Apple iTunes store. All profits from the sale of this information go to ARPA to support Children in Natue initiatives.

The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association-ARPA and Alberta Parks are happy to announce the launch of an Apple iTunes App Channel called ‘Gateway to Nature’. All titles are only 99 cents each! All profits support getting kids in nature! So check out our movie trailers at:http://www.youtube.com/gateway2nature And if you like them, buy some, from our Gateway to Nature iTunes app channel

The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) refers us to a Whitehouse blog in which the First Lady speaks about the need for children lead healthy, active lifestyles.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/11/30/raising-healthy-active-kids

More from the NRPA. In an article from the San Francisco Chronicle we learn of a program in the East Bay Regional Parks District encouraging the use of the trail system. See:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/30/SPTE1M5PLR.DTL

NRPA refers us to an article in Healthpop.com that talks about boring playgrounds. Less risk means more fat. Check it out at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57352284-10391704/boring-playgrounds-tied-to-sedentary-kids-study-shows/

NRPA refers us to an article which states, "Physical activity boosts brain power in school." See the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/1/49

James Bartram, Manager of the Pallisades Outdoor Stewardship Centre, has kindly shared some of the research he has been doing for Parks Canada. The following material has been posted on the ARPA website to minimize the size of the email file.

https://s3.arpaonline.ca/docs/Death_of_Environmentalism.pdf
https://s3.arpaonline.ca/docs/MisUnderstanding_youth_engagement.pdf
https://s3.arpaonline.ca/docs/Pertinent_lit_review3.pdf