My New Project Needs Your Support!

[Mark Yearwood]

Hello Everyone!

I am excited to introduce to you Kids In the Woods Initiative--K.I.W.I. As Founder & Executive Director of K.I.W.I., I hope that we can count on your support!  Please visit our Fundraising Campaign here: http://www.indiegogo.com/KIWI-fund?a=1209704

Kids In the Woods Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reconnecting children and youth to nature through adventure-play and mentoring in natural and wild outdoor spaces. Through year-round programming in Toronto's Rouge Valley Park, K.I.W.I. will take participants on a journey of "discovery from the outside in."

Why support K.I.W.I. ? 

There is a growing body of scholarly research that has linked a lack of play in natural outdoor spaces within child and youth populations to increases in diabetes, depression, obesity, poor academic performance, attention difficulties, as well as aggression and stress.  Collectively, these negative outcomes have been referred to by the best-selling author Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods, as "Nature-Deficit Disorder".  The research calls for one prescription: regular time spent playing in nature! 

In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, nature play can help increase self-esteem, self-discipline, and provide benefits for psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being.

With your support, together we can make the Kids In the Woods Initiative a resounding success for children & youth in Toronto & the GTA as they go on a journey fulfilling our motto of  "Discovery From the Outside In"!  

How Can You Help?

K.I.W.I. has launched a fundraising campaign with Indiegogo.com to help fund our innovative programming.  In recognition of your financial support, your name will be listed on our website in our "Tree of Discovery" at one of three levels.  Your kind donation of $25 will make you one of our "Budding" donors, while a donation of $100 will make you a "Spring Leaf" donor, and a donation of $1000 will make you a "Founding Branch" donor.

If financial support is not something you can offer right now, please help us spread the word about K.I.W.I. by telling everyone you know about this project.  Don't forget to share this campaign using your social networks. 

Thank you for your time, consideration and support!

Mark Yearwood

Founder & Executive Director

Kids In the Woods Initiative

~discovery from the outside in~ ™