Last week, President Obama told a roomful of doctors that “raising our children to step away from the video games and spend more time playing outside” is an important part of a healthier America. On June 22, the National Wildlife Federation's Be Out There campaign joined forces with his administration to make outdoor time a reality for millions of American kids this summer.
As part of the President’s Summer of Service initiative, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar issued a call to action for every adult to mentor a child outdoors this summer, joining the national effort launched by the President to engage more Americans in serving their communities.
Secretary Salazar spoke at the Big Meadows Campground at Shenandoah National Park: "Children today spend half as much time outdoors as their parents and this has significant implications for our children's health, the economy and the future of American conservation," said Secretary Salazar June 22 at an event highlighting summer service programs in the park.
"This summer, as part of President Obama's new United We Serve campaign, I encourage all Americans to serve by mentoring a child in the great outdoors and introducing them to our nation's treasured landscapes.”
Be Out There's Executive Director, Rebecca Garland, had a funny run-in with Secretary Salazar on a wooded trail in Shenandoah National Park, which we caught on tape:
How do you find great opportunities to mentor kids outside? Visit Serve.gov and plug in your zipcode to find service projects near you – or learn how to create your own service project online.
NWF offers free resources to help mentors and youth enjoy the benefits of our treasured landscapes through camping, fishing, cycling, hiking and other outdoor activities. Visit www.nwf.org/naturefind for information about family-friendly and affordable outdoor activities and events.
As you well know, for more unstructured outdoor fun, GreenHour.org provides tips for dozens of outdoor adventures, from stone-skipping to tree-planting to s'more-making.
And, just around the corner is the ultimate opportunity to experience our public lands with friends and family. Thousands of individuals and communities have registered for the 5th Annual Great American Backyard Campout on June 27.
Read more about NWF's and the Department of the Interior's plans to make this summer all about the great outdoors.
