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No Child Left Inside (NCLI) is a side program of the Lowcountry Environmental Education Program (LEEP). Its specific design is to reconnect children with nature. NCLI is the first program of its kind in the state of South Carolina; however, there are similar programs in nearly every other state. In the past two or three decades, children’s play activities have changed significantly. Most of us can remember playing outside with our friends until the church bell tolled or the sun went down. We were often subject to punishment if we stayed inside. In today’s society children predominately play inside for one of two reasons: 1) They (or their parents) have been “scared inside” Or 2) They have been lured inside with television, computer, or video games. Any one thing in moderation is OK, but there must be a balance. With today’s 24/7 media coverage and our fear-based mentality, it seems that every other news story is about a child getting abducted, falling and getting hurt, getting lost in the woods, or another stomach wrenching catastrophe. In a Hofsta University study, 800 mothers were studied and 82% of them cited the reason that they wouldn’t let their child play outside more often was crime or safety concerns. Child abductions by strangers are, in fact, rare when compared to abductions by family members. Between 200 and 300 children were abducted by strangers nationwide in 1988, compared to 115 in 1999. The Duke University Child and Well-Being Index of 2007 stated that “[our] most disturbing finding is not violence or abductions, but that children’s health has sunk to its lowest point in 30 years due largely to obesity.” These are just some of many statistics that illustrate the need for children and parents to look past the media, and to help their children rediscover the environment around them. No Child Left Inside is a program that is based on Richard Louv's book, “The Last Child in the Woods”. It has been spreading through the country like wildfire. NCLI’s main objective is to educate children and parents about the advantages of playing outside and experiencing their surrounding environment. We will also facilitate loosely structured programs which foster children’s curiosity and builds confidence about being in the outdoors. NCLI will use a combination of web-based communications, direct contact, and word of mouth to create a movement of children to reconnect with nature. Our web site will allow people to share about their outdoor experiences and to share fun nature hot spots with others. Using new and existing LEEP contacts we will speak with students, teachers, and all interested about the fun and benefits of enjoying nature. NCLI will also host and attend local events in which we can reach out to a variety of people. |
