Explore the Outdoors

Reconnecting children with their natural world

Now more than ever it’s important to stay connected to our youth. Today’s kids spend more than 6 hours per day on video games, TVs and computers and are increasingly disconnected from their natural world.

The effects of this can be seen nationwide as childhood obesity rates are rapidly increasing and children are suffering from long-term developmental and social impacts.

Numerous studies document that children who are in touch with their natural environment are healthier, do better in school, have better social skills and self-image, and lead more fulfilled lives.

That’s why the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and several key partners, have launched Explore the Outdoors - a statewide campaign designed to help Ohio’s children reunite with nature, live more active, healthier lives, enjoy the natural treasures of our parks, forests, flora and fauna - and discover the rewards of becoming environmental stewards.

We want this campaign to ignite interest in the outdoors and for children to experience the benefits of being connected with their natural world. We hope that you, too, will want to help make this campaign a success by helping Ohio’s chidren get outdoors this summer and complete the Explore the Outdoors Challenge.

We believe that there is no better cause than ensuring that our future generations understand and believe in the values and benefits of the great outdoors…we hope you’ll agree.
   
 

Statistics on Our Youth

Health-care workers have noticed a lack of stamina in America's youth, slower muscle development, lower levels of Vitamin D and acute disinterest in traditional recreational activities.

80 percent of children under age 2 and more than 60 percent of children 2-5 do not have access to daily outdoor play (according to the Playing for Keeps organization).

The average American child watches TV or plays computer games 6 hours per day -- twice the yearly hours spent in school (The Kaiser Family Foundation).

A 2002 British study reported that eight-year-olds could identify Pokémon characters far more easily than they could name “otter, beetle, or oak tree.”

State parks and the National Park Service report a 10 percent to 20 percent drop in visitation (National Parks Service).

Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years.

I like to play indoors better ‘cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are.

– A Fourth-Grader in San Diego