Newswise — NWF's Great American Backyard Campout is just around the corner on June 27, and some campers will be venturing further than the backyard to enjoy this outdoor adventure.
For those participants, National Wildlife Federation has developed a new online tool that will help locate campsites near and far. At www.nwf.org/naturefind you can enter your zip code and how far away from home you are willing to travel, and the tool will locate the perfect campsite for you with all the amenities you look for; on a lake, with hiking trails, fishing and swimming; or in a park with evening campfire activities (BYOS—Bring Your Own S'mores)! On this special annual event, people of all ages will take a break from their busy lives to experience the sights and sounds of nature, and relax outdoors. Families and groups of friends will camp out and listen for nocturnal wildlife, star-gaze, cook outdoors, eat s'mores, tell campfire stories, and enjoy an escape to another world—right outside their back door.
An Associated Press-GfK Poll found that 20 percent of respondents planning a trip this summer will stay closer to home this year. To cut vacation costs, many families will go camping, which is a great way to reconnect kids to nature through fresh air and green spaces. Time spent outdoors also enables families to reconnect with each other, free from the usual day-to-day distractions and overloaded schedules.
For the first time in our country's history, we have an entire generation growing up disconnected from nature. The lack of unstructured playtime outdoors can lead to a weakened immune system, increased childhood obesity, and less self-sufficiency and passion for creativity. June is an especially good time for kids to trade screen time for green time, and get outside with family and friends. In fact, President Obama and dozens of governors declared June 2009 Great Outdoors Month.
"Everyone should heed President Obama's call to surround themselves with our nation's natural beauty. The month-long celebration wraps up with National Wildlife Federation's Great American Backyard Campout on June 27. Thanks to the President's and Governors' proclamations, Great Outdoors Month will inspire America's indoor generation to Be Out There with neighbors, family and friends," said Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education and Training at National Wildlife Federation.
Want to join others in your community participating in a Campout? Check to see if a local group is planning a large family Campout near where you live. NWF's web site has group Campouts being planned around the country along with packing lists, recipes, nocturnal wildlife guides, exploration activities, nature guides, and more. Register your campsite—your backyard or favorite campground—online now at www.backyardcampout.org
National Wildlife Federation's Be Out There campaign is designed to get families across the United States to open the door and get outside. A daily dose of the outdoors improves children's physical, mental, and emotional well being. The benefits of outdoor play are real: healthier kids with a life-long appreciation of wildlife and nature.
National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. Visit www.nwf.org.
RSS