More Related Content Similar to Nfn diy workshop Similar to Nfn diy workshop (20) 2. Mission
The mission of the Children & Nature Network is to build
a movement to reconnect children and nature.
© 2008 2
3. Shared Vision
To create a culture where every child, in every community,
has a wide range of opportunities to experience nature
directly.
© 2008 3
4. Healing the broken bond
Healing the broken bond
between our young and
nature is in everyone’s self-
interest, not only because
aesthetics or justice demand
it, but also because our
mental, physical and spiritual
health depend upon it.
Richard Louv
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our
Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
© 2008 4
6. What Research Says: The Deficit
• Children are spending 40 to 65 hours or more a week
attached to electronic media.
• Fewer than 1 in 5 children walk or ride a bike to school.
• Childhood obesity has increased from 4% in the 1960s to
about 20% today.
• Children have less time for unstructured, creative play in
the outdoors than ever before in human history.
© 2008 6
7. What Research Says: The Benefits
Children are happier, healthier and smarter when they
connect with nature.
– Happier: Nature play increases self esteem,
improves psychological health and reduces stress.
Children learn self-discipline and are more cooperative.
– Healthier: Nature play improves physical conditioning
and reduces obesity.
– Smarter: Nature play stimulates creativity and
improves problem solving. Children do better in school.
© 2008 7
8. Definition of Children and Nature Centered
Experiences
• those that instill wonder and
engender curiosity
• take place in outdoor settings
ranging from backyards to
neighborhoods to city parks to
wilderness
• take the shape of guided
activities as well as
unstructured nature play in
children’s everyday lives
© 2008 8
9. What If?
“What if parents, grandparents and kids
around the country were to band together
to create nature clubs for families? What if
this new form of social/nature networking
were to spread as quickly as book clubs and
Neighborhood Watches did in recent
decades? We would be well on our way to
true cultural change.”
Richard Louv, Chairman, Children & Nature Network
© 2008 9
10. Nature Clubs for Families
Getting your children and
your community of friends
and neighbors out into
nature is a small but
revolutionary step, one
that can begin to reverse
the current trend of
disconnection from the
natural world.
© 2008 10
15. Natural Families
Network™
• Find out what others
are doing
• Find links to their
website, Facebook page,
and additional
information and local
resources
© 2008 15
19. A Few Key Benefits of a
Family Nature Club
• can be created in any
neighborhood, whether inner city,
suburban, or rural, and in any
economic setting
• can be joined or created by any
family – single parents, extended
families, friends who feel like
families
• this approach can break down
key barriers, including fear of
strangers, since there is safety in
numbers
© 2008 19
21. Kids in the Valley Adventuring
“The unknown is no longer a concern. No one will mess
with 45 people walking together in the woods!”
Chip and Ashley Donahue, KIVA
© 2008 21
22. More Benefits!
• There is the motivation factor – it’s much more likely
you and your family are going to show up at a park on
Saturday morning if you know there’s another family
waiting for you.
• Shared knowledge: many parents want to give their
children the gifts of nature, but they don’t feel they
know enough about nature to do so.
• And, importantly, there is no need to wait for funding.
Families can do this themselves and do it now.
© 2008 22
24. “I think the most important thing we can do is
build community where we live. Use your
backyard, use your park. Everybody can make
the community better. And it’s fun!”
Kari Svenneby, Active Kids Club
© 2008 24
25. “Families bond when they play, talk,
and learn in nature. When they
discover a new bug or wildflower,
they experience a sense of wonder
and make memories together on
their trail.”
Laurel Dodge, Nature Strollers
© 2008 25
26. “I have built free-play time into every event. The mixed ages play so beautifully
together that I am always holding back tears. I want to invite families to
make memories together, to feel peace together, and to know it doesn’t have
to cost a dime.”
Jodi Hiland, Happy Trails
© 2008 26
27. “A lot of what I do is introducing the idea that it’s okay to stay near
where you live – that there’s plenty to do right where you live.”
Inland Empire Kids Outdoors, Wendy Sparks
© 2008 27
30. “You don’t have to wait for a ‘green play’
prescription from your doctor. You can
start today with family and friends by
opening the door to go outside to explore
the wealth of natural adventures right in
your own backyard, neighborhood and
community.”
Cheryl Charles, President and CEO, Children & Nature Network
© 2008 30
35. A fun take-it-with-you resource
Nature Circle Cards
make it easy and fun for
adults to experience
nature with children.
The cards can be used
anywhere – at parties,
neighborhood picnics,
camping trips, family
gatherings, and nature
club outings.
© 2008 35
36. Nature Circle Cards
Hooked On Nature created
these cards in partnership
with:
•Children & Nature Network
•American Camp Association
•National Wildlife Federation
•US Fish & Wildlife Service
© 2008 36
37. Nature Circle Cards
15 experiences and 15 questions that engage the
senses, stimulate creativity and imagination, foster
caring and concern for the Earth, and create the space
for children and adults to bond with each other and
the natural world.
© 2008 37
38. Nature Circle Cards
A limited number of sets are available
at no charge to those who are hosting
a workshop.
Additional quantities are available.
For information on retail/wholesale
pricing as well as quantity discounts
for those who wish to give them
away visit:
www.naturecircles.org
Quantity discounts for
those who wish to
give them away
© 2008 38
39. Other DIY Resources
•Passport to Adventure – REI
•Green Spoken Here – ACA
•Field Notes From the Future
•Richard Louv’s blog - The Backyard Revolution
•Greenhour.org
•“Parent’s Guide to Nature Play”
•Books and resources listed on C&NN website
•Online e-course with ACA
•Others you know about?
•Let us know about additional resources
© 2008 39
40. Get Started Today!
Download your Tool Kit at
www.childrenandnature.org/natureclubs
Find out about Nature Circle Cards www.naturecircles.org
Explore Nature Rocks www.naturerocks.org
Join C&NN Connect www.childrenandnature.ning.com
Sign up for the C&NN Newsletter
www.childrenandnature.org/newsletters/signup
Add your club to the C&NN movement map:
www.childrenandnature.org/natureclubs/map
© 2008 40
41. Click here to add your information
• Slide for presenter to customize and add
their own contact information
© 2008 41
Editor's Notes Share what motivates and inspires you (and your organization if applicable). Tell people about your connection to the children and nature network and any regional/local initiative. Show copy of Last Child In the Wood and/or use the following slide. Nature Deficit Disorder is not a medical diagnosis, but a way to describe a phenomenon. The purpose of this C&NN Nature Clubs for Families Tool Kit is to provide inspiration, information, tips and resources for those who are- or who might be- interested in creating a Nature Club for Families. In creating the Tool Kit we’ve drawn on what many other families have done and learned. There are a variety of terrific resources available to help inspire, inform and support Nature Clubs with ideas, activities, tips and tools. The Quick Start Guide and Templates will help you plan and organize your adventure! According to those who have started clubs, being organized, enthusiastic, and committed to sharing nature with families will take you very far in being a successful group leader. You don’t have to go it alone. One approach to starting a Nature Club for Families is to partner with another family member or friend. Consider enlisting grandparents, they usually have the time and resources that parents find in short supply. In addition: 1,000 sets available on a first come basis for regions that host workshops to promote Nature Clubs for Families.
