Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
Posted: 4:23PM December 21st, 2011 | Comments
As I long for the snow to fall in Madison, I have been thinking back to my childhood growing up in Michigan, back when my hometown got pounded with snow coming off Lake Michigan that covered the ground until spring. I distinctly remember spending hours outside, digging tunnels and caves in my front yard and sledding down the mountains of snow at the end of the driveway. I would stay outside as long as I could, as the sun set and the temperature dropped, until I had to go in for dinner.
I bet you have similar memories. But a lot of kids these days don't.
Not only is the climate changing and resulting in different weather patterns, but kids also spend more and more time inside and less and less time outside. So much so that a group of Wisconsonites have been working on the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights to " convey the value of outdoor learning, exploration and fun by declaring all children in Wisconsin have the right to play in the snow, follow a trail, and camp under the stars," among other activities.
Although it may seem rather crazy that we need legislation to get kids outside, the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights has my full support. All children should indeed have the opportunity to be outside, which means that they also should have access to clean air and water, safe neighborhoods and school yards, and access to parks and natural areas. If we ensure these rights to our children, research shows that they will be happier, healthier kids. And hopefully they will grow into happy, healthy adults who will protect and care for the environments and communities they grew up playing in, and grew to love.
Find more information on the Children Outdoor Bill of Right here. And to come to the January 5th press conference at the Capital to express your support. Register here.
~Julie
