Get Those Kids Outside

Have you made your New Year’s resolution for 2013?  “Spending more time with family” is a top New Year’s resolution this year, and the National Wildlife Federation suggests their “Be Out There” campaign can help parents keep that resolution. The program offers tips and advice to parents who pledge to help get their kids outdoors every week, while acknowledging it isn’t always easy – even in a state like Wyoming. “Be Out There” manager Lindsay Legendre says their survey of parents found that 94 percent believe their kids aren’t getting enough time outside. The biggest barrier is the lure of technology — so the campaign offers some strategies on its website.  For instance, she says, “We really love geo-caching, because you can use a smart phone or GPS technology to do an activity outside. It kind of meshes those two worlds.”  Legendre says the parents they’ve talked with recognize the benefits of outdoor time – such as increased physical activity and better concentration in the classroom. She says the Wildlife Federation wants to make it easier for parents to guide children to more outdoor time, especially since mesmerizing technologies  and busy schedules have eaten into outdoor play time.