Our Mission:
To re-connect children and their families with nature in areas where they live, work, play, and learn, to ensure their personal health and fitness and the health of natural eco-systems.
Our Vision:
Unstructured time in nature, in addition to structured time, should be a part of the daily rhythm of children’s lives in Cache Valley. Safety risks associated with spending free time in a natural environment are known to be minimal and quite manageable. Meanwhile the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual benefits are understood to be far more significant. Kids and their families will enjoy and celebrate nature and be comfortable playing in the outdoors. Health declines (obesity, depression, attention disorders) associated with the disconnection between kids and nature will be reversed with life-long participation in healthy outdoor nature play.
Our Goals:
1. We will educate our community about the issue and:
1. Identify the perceived risks associated with unstructured play in nature.
2. Identify the many benefits associated with unstructured play in nature.
2. We will seek to participate in community planning and site design in neighborhoods and environments that allow nature to be nearby and accessible.
3. We will support opportunities and organizations that empower children to become independent and competent while interacting with nature and to be comfortable outside in all seasons, and we will help parents facilitate these experiences.
4. We will instill an appreciation and stewardship for nature.
5. We will support opportunities and efforts to minimize the risks (both real and perceived) to being outside (i.e. danger from strangers, air pollution, traffic)
