Kids
in the Woods Program
Click
here for a summer schedule
“Kids
in the Woods” programs are free, fun, interesting, hands-on, outdoor,
activities for our youth, which
are presented throughout the summer at different local sites. We are
getting our youth excited about the
world around them, giving them an opportunity to be more physically
active, to explore and to experience
the wonderful outdoors.
The youth of today are not
taking the opportunities to get outdoors and experience nature; most of
their time is spent in front of the TV, computer, or video game console
(between 1997 and 2003 the number of 9-12 year olds who spent time
outdoors hiking, fishing, or camping fell by 50 percent. How much has it
fallen since 2003? ). Youth are losing their contact with nature and
therefore losing their contact with themselves. Kids in the Woods
activities help instill a respect for nature and aid them in
understanding the role of conservation as it pertains to their lives and
their planet. Our youth are tomorrow’s caretakers of our world; they
need to have an understanding of the delicate balance that our planet
relies on to survive.
Kids in the Woods is about
creating a connection, appreciation, and respect for nature and the
environment by engaging youth and families in outdoor learning and
recreation.
Kids in the Woods programs
are building strong foundations for Conservation Education (CE),
increasing exposure of youth to CE opportunities; providing them with
outdoor recreation and learning opportunities here in the White
Mountains. We are doing this by presenting hands on programs such as
archaeology, cultural heritage, environmental change, fire, flora,
invasive species, outdoor recreation, wildlife, water conservation, and
many more. It challenges our youth with fun, physical, outdoor
activities, and encourages them to take an active role in caring for
their natural environment. After all, our youth are the future stewards
of the White Mountains.
For more information on
our programs you can go to our Web site:
www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/conservation , e-mail
iestes@fs.fed.us , or call
Iris Estes (928-333-6262).
