About Leave No Child Inside — Greater Cincinnati
Leave No Child Inside — Greater Cincinnati is a collaboration of organizations and individuals educating the community that time spent in nature is essential for the physical, mental and emotional health of all children.
About Us »
Organizations in the LNCIgc Collaborative »
What do we do?
Many times people hear about us and ask "Yes - but what do you DO?". We do so much that we've struggled to find a short answer! Perhaps the best answer is "Anything and everything we can to reconnect children with nature"! A review of our home page will give you examples of current activities, but we hope you'll take time to check out our Report Archive for a more complete list of "what we do"!
What is Happening Nationally
USA Today Series Explores Childhood Today
In a series on the changing face of childhood, USA today explores why children no long play outside, how it affects them and what people around the country are doing about it. Read about it here
America's Great Outdoors Report
On February 16, 2011 President Barack Obama released the America's Great Outdoors Report. The report, compiled after receiving input from more than 100,000 Americans, acknowledges the importance of spending more time outdoors and makes recommendations to reconnect children and families with nature. Click here to learn more.
Engaging Youth:
The Natural Leaders Network
"Often we find that the people who are talking about connecting youth with nature are not so young, so the Natural Leaders Network seeks to connect all the youth who are already doing so and those who want to but don't know where to look for a support system."
Juan Martinez,
C&NN's Natural Leaders Network coordinator
Recognizing the importance of engaging youth, the Children and Nature Network has developed a Natural Leaders Network with founding support from the Sierra Club and the North Face. Click here to read more about this important initiative, including how youth can get involved.
Good Things Happening
PADDLEFEST KIDS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE EXPO
Now it its sixth year, the Kid's Outdoor Adventure Expo was bigger and better than ever this year. In addition to serving as the conclusion to Cincinnati Public Schools' Fifth Quarter program, the event provided over 4,000 area children with hands-on experiences designed to "spark their interest in the world of nature" and enhance academic performance. Read more and see photos here: http://www.ohioriverway.org/
Leave No Child Inside Goes Statewide
2010 saw the rapid expansion of the Leave No Child Inside movement in Ohio, as five collaboratives across Ohio came together to form the Ohio Leave No Child Inside Collaboratives. Click here to visit the statewide website and to be added to receive statewide news updates.
The Report On Ohio's Initiative To Reconnect Children With Nature
This report, prepared by the Ohio Leave No Child Inside Collaboratives, in partnership with the Governor's Office and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, summarizes the issues surrounding the diminishing connection of children to nature and sets forth strategies to return a healthy lifestyle to Ohio's children. Click here to download the Report.
Ohio Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights
In September, 2010, an Ohio Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights has been endorsed by Governor Ted Strickland and more than thirty Mayors across Ohio. Click here to view the Ohio Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.
Safe Routes To School
Cincinnati Public Schools has been selected to participate in the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. This program engages the school, parents and the community in an effort to make it safe for children to walk or bike to school. Leave No Child Inside - Greater Cincinnati is helping to identify parks and other greenspaces that can be integrated into the walking routes. We will help to negotiate joint use agreements and to facilitate volunteer trail construction projects when needed. Click here to learn more about the Safe Routes to School program.
Bringing Nature To Schools
Leave No Child Inside - Greater Cincinnati is expanding our support of Cincinnati Public Schools to encourage a closer, more customized relationship between schools and nature organizations via the Nature Partner Program. Advantages to this are many - closer alignment with academics at the school, closer relationships with teachers and students, and in many, cases, added services like outdoor classrooms and free field trips. Learn more by clicking here.
Need a Speaker? Let Us Know
Did you know that Leave No Child Inside — Greater Cincinnati has a speakers bureau for presentations to community organizations? If you are interested in a program about the importance of time spent in nature to the physical, mental and emotional health of all children, click here to contact us.
For Parents and Mentors:
Get those kids outside!!!
Leave No Child Inside — Greater Cincinnati's Grow Outside Guide to Outdoor Play, including The Child-Friendly Backyard, is available online.
