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From the Leave No Child Inside Consortium of the Greater Barrington, Deer Park, and Lake Zurich Area

Who We Are

We are a consortium of more than 40 representatives from many sectors of the broader Barrington, Deer Park, and Lake Zurich community. Our sectors include healthcare, education, government, public library, environment education, faith-based, culture, and scouting.

We have come together because of a shared interest—the importance of getting children outside and connected with nature. This is a children’s health issue and an environment issue. Increasing numbers of researchers and scientists are documenting the children’s health benefits of outdoor, nature-focused play. Environmentalists are expressing a concern that our children’s growing disconnect from nature bodes poorly for future generations’ stewardship of the earth.

While this shared interest plays out differently in each of our organizations’ missions, we share the urgency and importance of bringing this “Leave No Child Inside” theme to the communities we serve. The Consortium’s efforts are supported by a generous Barrington Area Community Foundation grant.

What We Are Doing

Our mission is to get area children outside in nature-based activities and play. Fostering this through family and community awareness initiatives, here is some of what we’ve done.

• funoutside.org—We’ve created funoutside.org as a one-stop-shop for families to find outdoor, nature-focused activities.
• June 2009 Leave No Child Inside Month—Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Fox River Grove, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes, as well as Barrington and Cuba Townships, declared June 2009 as Leave No Child Inside Month. We are working for June 2010 to be declared the same.
• School District 220 outdoor field science studies—All second graders visited Vehe Farm in Deer Park to study the life cycle of insects. Citizens for Conservation in Barrington hosted all fourth graders for onsite study of the prairie ecosystem. Stillman Nature Center will host third graders this spring. This fall, grades one through eight will duplicate these outdoor field science studies.
• Comprehensive Plan—Here is the link to our 2009 – 2010 comprehensive plan outlining our vision.
• Outreach to the healthcare community—In its Fall 2009 issue of It’s Your Life, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital published the article “Kids and nature: growing healthy together”. In the November/December issue of Quintessential Barrington, pediatrician Dr. Everett Weiss’ article “The Necessity of Childhood Play” appeared. Separately, Dr. Weiss sent to area pediatric physicians materials introducing the Leave No Child Inside initiative.
• Children’s “Leave No Child Inside” activities—Area environmental education organizations, libraries, and park districts/departments are using the Leave No Child Inside logo to identify their nature-related children’s activities.
• LNCI community survey—Families are invited to participate in an online survey to help the Consortium assess community awareness and interest in the children’s health benefits of outdoor, nature-based play.
• Capstone Project—The Consortium’s initiative has been designated a University of Illinois College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs/ Department of Public Administration Capstone Project. Graduate students will assess the Consortium’s success in achieving its mission and the community’s level of interest in the Consortium continuing beyond June 2010.

In closing, please visit funoutside.org and, above all, get your children outside. Winter is a great time for families to play together!