Mar 28
Spring is Here! Resources for Local Outdoor Adventure
Spring is here and that means families will be on the look-out for fun things to do in Greater Cincinnati. For activities at area parks, nature centers and other outdoor venues, including your own home, check out these on-line resources: Green Umbrella: A calendar of regional programs and events from hiking to green energy symposiums. Stay tuned for the introduction of Green Umbrella’s special outdoor activity site, MeetMeOutdoors.com, coming soon! Grow Outside Guide to Outdoor Play: Includes activities to do at home or in your neighborhood, like how to create a Child Friendly Backyard and Fun for All Seasons ideas…
Dec 13
Winter Fun in Greater Cincinnati
Looking for family fun this winter? Green Umbrella will be expanding its website to include a Meet Me Outdoors calendar of events and programs in our region. But, while that is getting underway, you can see a list of some of the activities going on in December, February and March here. We can't wait for the new Meet Me Outdoors calendar!
Dec 13
Re-thinking the traditional playground
In response to the growing body of evidence presented in Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, there is wide-spread recognition that children benefit in a variety of ways from unstructured play in a natural setting – not just physically, but also in terms of cognitive development, mental health and social development. This awareness has led to the development of Nature Playscapes, intended to allow groups of children to experience the natural world, as it has been experienced by generations before them, in a safe, public setting. In Cincinnati, we have what is…
Dec 12
Help a Child Learn and Grow Through Nature!
GIVING TREE TO SUPPORT OUTDOOR PROGRAMS AT LOCAL SCHOOLS This holiday season, participate in REI’s Giving Tree Project to help underserved children become happier, healthier and smarter by experiencing the wonder of nature. Your gift of new or gently used items will help students from the following Cincinnati Public Schools: Roberts Academy, The Academy of World Languages and Pleasant Ridge Montessori. Pick up a flier at the store to see the “wish list” of items, which includes items like binoculars for birdwatching and rain ponchos. LET LOCAL SCHOOLS DO YOUR GIFT WRAPPING You can also save time while supporting the schools…
Nov 19
Winter Family Adventures Program at REI November 28
Looking for ideas on how to continue your family's active, outdoor lifestyle throughout the winter? Greater Cincinnati abounds in opportunities to enjoy the outdoors all year around. Join us on Wednesday, November 28 at the new REI Store in Rookwood Commons as Jonathan Swiger, Family Program Coordinator for the Cincinnati Nature Center, shares ideas for winter fun, including full moon hikes, maple sugaring, ice hikes and winter tracking, as well as activities to enjoy in your own backyard! Children are encouraged to attend. You must register to attend, as space is limited. Hope to see you there!
Nov 19
Safe Routes to School Project Connects Kids to Nature
Programs that get kids moving safely through neighborhoods are integral to healthy communities and assist in connecting kids to nearby nature. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national program designed to assess conditions and facilitate in improving them so students are able to safely walk and bike to school. The program engages community partners in the process. Here in Cincinnati, we are fortunate that Cincinnati Public Schools has a district-wide SRTS initiative which not only gets kids moving, but also reduces transportation costs and improves neighborhoods…
Nov 19
International Recognition of Children’s Right to Connect with Nature
Since the publication of Last Child in the Woods in 2005, countries around the world have acknowledged that children are increasingly disconnected from nature. In September of this year, more than 10,000 people representing the governments of 150 nations and more than 1,000 non-governmental organizations met in Jeju, South Korea for the World Congress of the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature (IUCN). Attendees voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution that children have a human right to experience the natural world. Read more…
Sep 17
No Platitudes!
September 22-23 Over 120 Free Outdoor Activities Click on logo for details One year after founding the Children & Nature Network, Richard Louv challenged Grassroots Leaders with this request: “No platitudes – we need action!”. We are proud that Leave No Child Inside – Greater Cincinnati responded to that call, as evidenced by the wide range of activities summarized in our Annual Reports. Now we would like to challenge you to take action to reconnect Greater Cincinnati’s children with nature! One thing we have learned in the course of our work is that in order to re-introduce nature into the…
Sep 17
Thanks to our community’s “Cheerleaders” for a happier, healthier lifestyle
Throughout our community, organizations like Leave No Child Inside, Green Umbrella, We Thrive!, Go Vibrant! and Closing the Health Gap are working in a variety of ways to engage Cincinnatians in a healthy and FUN lifestyle. A growing number of you are responding to the call, literally moving our community toward better health. Nowhere was this more evident than at June’s Paddlefest event, where the Kid’s Outdoor Adventure Expo engaged 5,000 children in outdoor activities, thousands of Greater Cincinnatians paddled on the Ohio River and more joined the fun by cycling, walking and running…
Jun 22
Grab the kids and check out Mill Creek Greenway Trail!
Mill Creek Greenway Trail Mill Creek Restoration Project just dedicated the Mill Creek Greenway Trail, a 1.5 mile trail located on Spring Grove Avenue with the trailhead next to the Old Timber Inn. The creation of this trail was a learning experience for many area students who helped in its construction. It includes gardens, public art and exercise stations. It’s especially nice to see new trails happening on the west side of town. The dedication on June 19 triggered conversation about extending the trail even further – we’ll look forward to seeing that happen! Learn more about the Mill Creek Restoration…
