Leave No Child Inside

Some of the goals of the Leave No Child Inside initiative are to encourage children’s curiosity about nature and to engage them in outdoor nature exploration and discovery.  As a member of the Chicago Wilderness initiative, the Lake County Parks is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle for our youngsters. When you see a program in the Pathfinder with the logo, you’ll know that is it part of our effort to Leave No Child Inside.

“It's time to give our kids a break from the TV and computer and get them back outside.  Chicago Wilderness and its more than 240 members invite you to Leave No Child Inside. Together, we can promote a culture in which children enjoy and are encouraged to be outside in nature, and as a result are healthier, have a sense of connection to their place, and become supporters and stewards of local nature.

Participation in outdoor activities in natural settings has been shown to increase self-esteem, decrease Attention-Deficit Disorder symptoms, and contribute to the emotional and physical development of children across the United States.

Take your kids outside and skim stones, count butterflies or go fishing. Get outside with them and look, listen, touch, and smell. Let your kids take the lead – with their natural curiosity, they will quickly find something for the family to explore. Enjoying the outdoors with your children is a fun and healthy way to spend quality time with your family.  One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is to share your love of nature,” (from the website of Chicago Wilderness http://www.kidsoutside.info)