What will club members do?
Club members will have access to
free opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors with other local families.
These opportunities can range from hikes to picnics, from star-watches to
sports games and more. Members will receive occasional emails that let them
know about upcoming free outdoor events in the Champaign-Urbana area—most
opportunities will not even require pre-registration. The idea is to get as
many families as possible enjoying the outdoors in places that are close to
home and at times that are convenient for them. Our goal is for families to become
familiar with local parks and natural areas and to feel comfortable exploring
them together. We want to remove all of the barriers that may prevent families
from enjoying nature. Club members will also have the opportunity to set their
own agendas, times, and locations and invite other families to join them,
similar to a Meetup Group. Club hikes are already planned monthly for October
through December. During these hikes, parents will learn tips and tricks that
will make exploring nature more fun and enjoyable for their family. Urbana Park
District staff will be on-hand to share information about plants and animals
and guide fun trail activities.
Why should families join?
There are so many proven
benefits of spending time outdoors: reduction in stress and anxiety, heightened
awareness, increased ability to concentrate, and lowering blood pressure and
promoting weight loss are just a few. Unstructured play with “loose parts” in
nature (sticks, leaves, mud, etc.) increases children’s critical thinking skills
and ability to think creatively. As they run, jump, climb and teeter across
logs they improve their large motor skills. Picking apart seeds, building fairy
houses, and playing with bugs all help to improve fine motor skills. Children
with ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and autism often show reduced symptoms
when they are allowed to play and explore in nature. Also, spending time
outdoors increases our appreciation of nature—the environment that feeds us and
provides clean air and water. This can lead to increased stewardship and
advocating for our shared natural environments. In today’s world of video
games, computers, and smart phones, it has never been so important to get back
outdoors and in touch with nature.
What do you hope this program
will be become in a year, 2 years, 3 years?
My goal is for this club to be
entirely member-run within the next year. Right now, I am managing the website,
online calendar and email announcements, but the plan is to hand over those
responsibilities to the club members themselves as they become more active and
engaged with the C-U Outdoors Club. Ideally, this should be a club for
families, run by families. In two to three years, I hope to see club members
enjoying weekly excursions outdoors at times and places that are most
convenient for them. If enough families are active and involved, this group
could become a powerful voice in our community to promote outdoor recreation
and nature conservation. I certainly hope the club will gain that much
momentum! And I hope to see you outdoors at the next C-U Outdoors Club
gathering!
Savannah Y. Donovan
Environmental
Public Program Coordinator
Urbana Park
District
Anita Purves Nature Center217-384-4062 ext. 359
