Youth outdoor programming across SW WA

Written By nature play designs .

One of the main mission goals for LCNN is to connect youth with nature. We know there are a wide varieties of activities and events with our regional partners. We also understand there are diverse set of barriers that may limit safe and welcoming access to nature. As we continue to build our network across southwest Washington, we are really starting to dive into the breadth of partners who work with children of all ages and how best to serve kids….where they are at, what they are comfortable with and what gets them really excited to go on epic outdoor adventures.

At a recent LCNN Partner monthly meeting, we had an engaging conversation about what programs currently exist to serve kids. Listed below are some highlights. We would love your feedback (scroll to the bottom) about your experiences:

  • How do your kids connect with nature?

  • What activities, events, programs and fun things get them excited to head outside?

  • How can our partners better accommodate our local kids to access programs?

  • What are some of the gaps in services, activities, places/spaces and needs?

Let’s answer the “why” it is so important for kids to get daily, weekly, monthly access to nature…..let’s turn to the experts:

From the Children & Nature Network:

As national leaders and experts in collecting the data on children’s health, there is now lots of evidence that daily access to nature increases happiness, lowers stress & anxiety, improves academic performance and supports behavioral regulation for kids. Plus there are sooooo many fun things to do if the space and place to connect with nature is readily accessible. Learn more at their website: www.childrenandnature.org/the-benefits-of-nature/

What we are seeing and hearing from our partners:

As a coalition, we are well suited to connect partners to resources, and vice versa.

Bring the agencies who connect with youth + our regional partners with the expertise to get kids into nature

= win / win for kids

It is no surprise that there is a wide variety of outdoor adventures to be had in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. But let’s dive into how we are supporting youth with outdoor adventures. Keep reading to see where we have noticed some gaps compared to other large cities in our region. At the end, please fill our the form with information that we are missing or ideas that you have to improve access to public lands and nature for our youth.

The most common opportunities are to visit our area parks and open spaces for unstructured activities.

What better way to spend a day than at an outdoor camp. While these opportunities vary from year to year, we have several partners that consistently provide several opportunities.

This is an area to build up opportunities, including guided walks, nature journaling, outdoor yoga & meditation. Look for sensory rich walks, like muddy surfaces, puddles, gardens and quiet safe spaces. (From experience, my kids loved to climb trees to calm and reset)

Community events and partner activities encourage us to look for the beauty in nature.

Our partners host many opportunities to care for, maintain and plant our local lands. Join us!

With so many resources, what are our next steps to increase access for youth to nature and public lands?

  • We need to continue to hear from other partners and programs about what they provide to youth in SW WA.

  • How best to support our existing programs to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful.

  • Identify other programs that are common in other communities that we don’t have in our region. Examples could include children’s gardens, cultural based program outdoors, naturalists in our regional parks, etc.

  • Develop unique annual events that take advantage of our parks and resources such as kite flying event, urban camping night out, outdoor skills jamboree, etc.

  • Develop resources to support existing and new programs, such as an outdoor gear library, training for volunteers to support youth events, etc.

  • Connect youth based organizations with our regional partners within LCNN and beyond.

  • Connect interested funders to programs to ensure sustainable access and growth.

Many of our more active recreational opportunities happen in our regional parks, trails and public lands, such as:

For in-depth experiences, head out to nature and spend few days with our partners for amazing opportunities. Here are several opportunities:

Supporting in-class room as well as field trips, our partners have you covered! Many have curricula developed tied to NGGS and ready to use.

Many of our partners support the next generation of us with skills development, mentoring and internships.

How can we support youth outdoor programming

YOU CAN HELP!

  • Share names of organizations that connect youth to nature in southwest Washington

  • What programs you enjoy and would like to see continue?

  • What other programs would you enjoy bringing to our region?

nature play designs .
Next

Winter fun across southwest Washington, from the river valley to the foothills of the Cascades!