Museum Celebrates ‘Take A Child Outside Week’ Sept. 24-30
For immediate release ‐ September 22, 2021
Contact: Jon Pishney, 919.707.8083. Images available upon request
(RALEIGH, N.C.) — Take A Child Outside Week, an international initiative spearheaded by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, kicks off Tuesday, September 24 and runs through Monday, September 30. Designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from exploring the natural world, the program encourages children and adults to spend time together outdoors. It was inspired by Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods,” which identifies the benefits of outdoor experiences for children and addresses some of the problems of what he terms “Nature Deficit Disorder,” such as increased stress and feelings of being disconnected from the world.
On the Take A Child Outside website (takeachildoutside.org), adults can find organizations in their area offering activities and outdoor spaces along with interesting outdoor activities. “Free time in nature has been shown to improve every area of a child’s life, from having healthier, stronger bodies, to being more successful in school, to having better relationships in their community,” says Beth Cranford, program coordinator for the Museum. “Time outside every day should be part of your regular routine.”
More than 150 organizations currently participate nationwide, including North Carolina State Parks, various city and county parks, and nature centers of all sizes. Partner categories include Outdoor Site Partner, School Partner and Supporting Partner to include organizations that have land as well as those who don’t. Partnership is free, so visit takeachildoutside.org/become-a-partner to sign up. For more information, please email beth.cranford@naturalsciences.org or call 919.707.9902.
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