Back in April, the Nature Conservancy released the results of the first global survey to capture not only how much time kids spend outside, but also parents’ perspectives on the importance and benefits of time spent in nature.
The survey, which was funded by Disney, included parents of children between the ages of three and 18 in the U.S., Brazil, China, France and Hong Kong and had some very interesting results.
According to the survey, the amount of time spent outdoors in nature varies widely by age and declines as kids get older. While preschoolers spend about 12 hours a week outside, by the time a U.S. teen turns 16, he or she is spending less than seven hours a week in nature.
Survey results show this same U.S. trend worldwide, with the exception of Brazil. In Hong Kong, for example, time spent in nature past the age of 16 is as little as 1.8 hours per week.
Does time outside really matter? Parents think so. The vast majority of U.S. parents surveyed (82%) view spending time in nature as “very important” to their children’s development — second only to reading as a priority. In addition, 83% of U.S. parents think that time in nature leads to improvement in the classroom.
When it came to reasons why kids weren’t spending as much time outdoors, the poll showed fairly consistent reasoning (homework, for example) but in the U.S. the number two reason may or may not surprise you. Discomfort caused by natural elements like weather (too warm or cold) and bugs was cited as a major obstacle to enjoying the outdoors. The U.S. was the only nation to record this obstacle.
Culturally speaking, Canadian youth are different from those in the United States, but it’s safe to assume we share the common theme of spending far too much time indoors. With video games, computers, smart phones, and tablets, more time is spent indoors in front of a screen than enjoying time outdoors with nature.
Getting more people, especially children, outside and into nature is something GreenUP strives for and, in an effort to see more youth outdoors, Family Nature Nocturnes was created.
Each Thursday evening throughout the summer, staff at the GreenUP Ecology Park present a new nocturne theme from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The weekly events are a free opportunity to come to the park to learn about nature, participate in fun and educational games, make nature-themed crafts, and overall be physically active.
Family Nature Nocturnes is supported through Kinarks’s “No Child Left Inside” initiative. Together, parents and kids will about the plants and wildlife here in our community, and make projects that can be taken home to have a positive impact on our environment.
The themes for the next few weeks are as follows:
Thursday, July 31st – Ecology Park Tea Party
Together, we will taste teas made from herbs growing at GreenUP Ecology Park and make our own tea bags to take home! Come and play hands on games, write Herbaceous Haikus, and spend time exploring the herb garden and Children’s Garden. You are asked to bring your own mug for tea tasting.
Thursday, August 7th – Wonderful World of Worms and Compost
Discover the wonderful world of worms and compost, watch puppet show, get your hands in soil, and search for the critters that live in our composters and that work so hard to create healthy soil. This event will also feature a mini vermicomposting workshop where attendees will learn how to compost with worms.
Thursday, August 14th – Nocturnal Animals
Celebrate the animals that are awake at night and asleep during the day with an evening of music, active games, campfire building, and complimentary activities featuring your favourite nocturnal animals.
Thursday, August 21st – Family Night and Lantern Festival
Nature Nocturnes wraps up with an evening filled with nature-themed activities and displays. Those in attendance can sample garden grown goodies, make their own lantern, and walk with us through the park’s trails. Suggested donation for this night is $15 for a family or $5 for individuals.
If you’re looking for something for the kids to do in early August that is focused on nature, there’s still space left in GreenUP’s Earth Adventures Day Camps.
For ages 9 to 12, kids will be immersed in nature, learning about everything from habitats and pollinators to wildlife and birds and a variety of other topics. Space is limited so it’s recommended to register early.
The cost is $190 for the week, August 4 to 8. Friends of GreenUP receive a 10% discount on registration fees. To register, email Marcy at workshops@greenup.on.ca or phone 705-745-3238 x212.
