Share, Learn, Listen, Lead

November 2009 Blog Posts (12)

Did you all see the cover of time this week? It's about OverParenting

They quote Lenore Skenazy of New York City - she has a blog called FreeRangeKids. I've spoken with her on the phone before. Lots of common connections between our issues and this one.

(Edited to add...)
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1940395,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1940395,00.html

Added by Alice Hohl on November 25, 2009 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

An email I received that I thought you might enjoy reading

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 1940's, 50's, 60's, 70's and early 80's !

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.

Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based… Continue

Added by Juliet Robertson on November 24, 2009 at 9:17am — 4 Comments

We need your vote!

As we ramp up our Canadian efforts to build the children and nature movement, we've entered a contest and we need your help to get us there! Here are the details!

1. Go here: http://tinyurl.com/yh6dbcg

2. Log in,

3. then go to "Environment & Conservation"

4. and scroll down to "Inside OUT - a natural revolution for children and families" and cast your 3 votes by clicking on the little 'vote' button under the tallied vote… Continue

Added by Becs Hoskins on November 20, 2009 at 2:37pm — 1 Comment

Is there a “Button Park” in your future?

Remember the special place in nature that you had as a child — that wooded lot at the end of the cul de sac, that ravine behind your housing tract? What if adults had cared just as much about that special place as you did, when you were a child?

In the spirit of the Do it Yourself, Do it Now philosophy of the Children & Nature Network, here’s an idea whose time may be coming: the creation of “nearby-nature trusts.” Land trust organizations could develop and distribute tool kits,… Continue

Added by Richard Louv on November 16, 2009 at 3:50pm — No Comments

Do you know about the "Music for the Movement?"

Did you know.....?

Professional singer and songwriter Jenny Morgan has produced a CD of songs for the Children & Nature movement. These are available for purchase online. Because she is extremely dedicated to the movement (and is founder of the Leave No Child INSIDE Central Ohio Collaborative) she can work out affordable licensing agreements for you to use the music in promotional DVDs, TV ads, Web sites, etc.

Please visit… Continue

Added by Alice Hohl on November 16, 2009 at 8:56am — No Comments

David Sobel: This one was for you!

Yesterday morning, twelve cars travelled up the Blue Ridge Parkway towards Peaks of Otter. Looking back at the long line of cars was only a foreshadowing of the fun that was about to happen. Big kids, little kids, and some brave parents took on the challenge of getting to the top.

Here’s a reference:…

Continue

Added by Chip Donahue on November 15, 2009 at 6:59pm — 1 Comment

Governor letter to Secretary Duncan

The deadline for Governors to sign onto Governor O'Malley's letter urging Education Secretary Arne Duncan to support the No Child Left Inside ammendment is November 20th. So far, O'Malley is joined by Governors from CT, KS, OH, VI, NM, WI, ME, OR, KY, IL, WI, CO and VA. Governor Schwarzenegger’s office has expressed support for NCLI, but has not yet signed on to the letter.

If you have any questions, please contact me. The letter is inserted below:

July 10,… Continue

Added by Elena Takaki on November 12, 2009 at 12:36pm — 1 Comment

Partnership for Children in Nature Work Plan

Maryland has released its annual Partnership for Children in Nature Work Plan. This plan outlines short-terms goals that can be achieved with existing funds. Although times are tough for states, the urgency to get our kids connected to nature remains. The annual work plan aims to accomplish some of the recommendations put forth by the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature. For more information, please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/cin/

Added by Elena Takaki on November 12, 2009 at 12:28pm — No Comments

Sign of the times - Sesame Street Changes

I'm watching Sesame Street for the first time in 20+ years -- Today the theme is habitat, and Big Bird is trying to decide if he's going to migrate. A Black-bellied whistling duck is doing a parody on The Maltese Falcon. There are activities for parents and teachers http://www.pbs.org/parents/sesame/activities.html Michelle Obama is planting a vegetable garden. Kids are learning how to leap like a frog.

Cheryl says that… Continue

Added by Nancy Herron on November 11, 2009 at 7:42am — No Comments

Conkers Part 2

This posting looks at games for groups of children which can be played with conkers. It's from my own blog, "I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here!"

Pass the conker

Everyone stands in a circle holding a conker in each hand behind their backs. An adult or a child who isn’t part of the circle counts to twenty quickly. The children in the circle, close their eyes and start passing conkers to their left as… Continue

Added by Juliet Robertson on November 6, 2009 at 2:21pm — No Comments

Connecting to Nature in America's Toughest City

Latino Health Access (LHA) is an Inside the Outdoors' partner. Last summer, we were able to offer Inside the Outdoors Summer Day Camp camperships to 10 children served by LHA. These children live in a place where every child has only 22 feet of open space. Most of the campers from LHA had never been outside of their community, so the experience for them represented the first chance the children had to connect with nature.

If you want to be truly inspired, take a few minutes to listen… Continue

Added by Lori Kiesser on November 4, 2009 at 5:10pm — 2 Comments

Richard Louv Lets His Actions Speak Loudest

Richard Louv has brought his passion for bringing families, children and nature together to yet another empowering project. As a contributor to our recently published book, Actions Speak Loudest, Richard penned an inspiring essay about the diverse physical and emotional benefits of “Connecting With Nature.”

I first met Rich during the filming of our documentary, Remote Control,… Continue

Added by Bob McKinnon on November 4, 2009 at 7:37am — No Comments