Rooted In The Community

Data from the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health reveals that among U.S. children aged 3 to 5 years, 37% played outdoors for one hour or less on weekdays, and 24% did so on weekend days. Conversely, 29% engaged in outdoor play for three or more hours on weekdays, with this figure rising to 49% on weekends. (National Survey of Children's Health. 2021). Communities in Western North Carolina are no exception to this statistic. Research shows that children who participate in outdoor learning activities exhibit the following: improved academic performance and engagement, increased creativity and problem-solving, better mental and physical health, environmental awareness and connection, increased confidence, resilience, and inclination towards leadership.

By deepening our children's connections to the outdoors, we are also reaching their families and communities. Children who feel connected to the outdoors often inspire their families to spend more time outside, and the adults who chaperone our programs report they feel empowered after observing our programs, modeled by experienced instructors. Inspiring curiosity through nature has a way of rippling outward- connecting students, families, and communities to the natural world…

*National Survey of Children's Health. (2021). Outdoor playtime among U.S. children aged 3 to 5 years. National Institute of Health. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38128675