Living in Rhode Island we go to the local parks daily throughout the summer. I have to admit that I believe we have some of the most beautiful parks in the country and I am so glad that my children are going to grow up with some terrific experiences at the parks.
Most of the winter, we are cooped-up inside and have limited access to outdoor activities. When spring rolls around and the temperatures warm up, my children are still in that, “Let’s stay home and watch another movie phase.” I quickly tell them that the television is to be watched only for a few minutes each week, because I want them to experience the beauty of the outside world and help them live an active lifestyle.
I truly believe being sedentary inside is not advantageous for anyone. That is why I pack my kids up, complete with healthy snacks, and head to the local National Parks. Each week, we go to different parks so my children can experience all the beauty that the parks in Rhode Island have to offer. Do you know that by allowing kids access to a playground they are five times more likely to have a healthy weight than children who do not have access to a playground? Having your kids play around in your local park is truly beneficial to your children’s overall health! Along with the health benefits, I can assure you by letting your children play in the parks, they will have better attitudes and be generally happier. Kids love to play… Let them roam around your local park for some great fun!
This July is National Park and Recreation Month! The National Recreation and Park Association is dedicated to advancing parks, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. Did you know that there are at least 12,000 publicly funded state and local park and recreational agencies in the United States? Did you also know that the park and recreation agencies are the second largest public feeder of children, behind schools; park and recreation agencies serve approximately 560,000,000 meals to children through the summer and after-school programs each year. How amazing is that!
This summer why not take time to “Get Wild” and encourage your kids to go outside and play! Go outside and enjoy all the benefits that the local parks have to offer! Some of these benefits include allowing your children to have a healthy, active lifestyle along with activities geared towards helping children learn to appreciate nature and the environment in their local communities. By allowing your children to play in the parks, you are taking a stand to decrease child obesity. Parks also help to boost the economy of your state and contribute to the value of surrounding residential properties. They help to make the local community a safer place to raise a family!
I highly suggest you check out the NRPA website where you can find a calendar of local events happening across the country, as well as the official toolkit, an opportunity to take the Get Wild pledge and information on the Get Wild Geocaching Contest. The tool kit includes the 2012 Official “Get Wild” Social Media Poster, a customizable calendar, and various graphics. Once you take the “Get Wild” pledge in your local park, you will receive a facebook badge to proudly display.
The awesome Get Wild Geocaching Contest is where you can go on a geocaching treasure hunt with your family and snap some photos on your hunt! You can participate in real-world, outdoor treasure hunting games using GPS-enabled devices. Once you capture the picture, you can upload on the NRPA Facebook page to be entered to win one of 5 Magellian GC eXplorist GPS Devises!
Come join in the fun this summer and head to your local park! Take the pledge and go Get Wild at your local park! I am heading to ours right now- won’t you join me!
*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of National Recreation and Park Association and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
I love Geocaching!! So fun! I cannot wait until Jude is old enough to do it too! I agree about not sitting inside watching the stupid tv. People do it way too much with kiddos. Time to enjoy the weather and play!! Thanks for this infomration. I will be looking at the toolkit!
We love visiting National Parks as well. Our country has some truly beautiful open spaces! I’ve always wanted to try geocaching…maybe this is the kick in the pants that will get me going. 🙂
Great post! I totally agree with you. I grew up outdoors biking, skating and playing at the park. Times are different, but I still want my kids to experience the outdoors.
We love being outdoors. My almost 3-year old has already developed a love for hiking. Something that makes this momma proud!
I would live outdoors if given the chance. I’ve never done geocahcing but really want to, I’ll definitely look into it. We would spend a lot of time visiting National Parks when I was a kid growing up in California. So many fond memories.
How is it I did not know you were from RI? How did I miss that? I am so jealous, it’s gorgeous there in the summer! And geocaching is so much fun, and great for families, thanks for sharing!
We love Parks and Rec and Geocahcing We try to stay as active as we can during the summer months! Thanks for the post!!
We went camping two weeks ago and went on a lot of the nature trails there and we are going camping this coming week again to a different state park!
We love going to park, especially during the summer! It gives us a great opportunity to get out and do something fun together!
we too are outside more than inside in the summer!
Children always look like they are having so much fun on the playground my dogs want to join in. That’s why we always hung out at the park around dismissal time when we lived in Hong Kong so the girls could play with all the kids on their way home from school (ok so it was across the street from our apartment but still) the girls loved being there and the kids loved having them around.
I’m a big believer of taking advantage of our national parks. I’ve not participated in Geo Caching yet but would like too.
Wish I lived over there this sounds like great fun, my kids would love it !!
I’ve always wanted to try geocaching! It seems like so much fun!
Whirlwind of Surprises
My son loves going to the park and being outside.
We did geocaching for the first time on my daughter’s school trip and I was amazed at how much fun everyone had! It was great!
I love going to the park! We even bought a state park sticker so we can get into all the state parks all year long! One price makes it really easy!
We LOVE geocaching! (Texas is doing a geocaching challenge in October and we can’t WAIT!)
It’s just too hot to be outside right now – it makes my youngest son’s eczema HORRIBLE.
I read about geocaching and never tried it before. I like to learn by watching how it is done.