Tuesday, July 10, 2012

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

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