Nothing warms my heart more than seeing children explore nature. This week, I was honored to attend the launch event for the Every Kid in a Park initiative in New York City at Hamilton Grange National Memorial in Harlem. At the Grange, nearly 200 fourth-graders received passes for free entry to our nation’s public lands, waters and shores. The passes, which also extend to the students' families are part of President Obama’s program to inspire a new generation to get outside and become stewards of our nation's cultural and natural heritage.
National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, US Forest Service Chief Thomas L. Tidwell, Boys and Girls Clubs of Harlem Executive Director Dominique R. Jones, and others opened the event with some remarks about the significance of the Every Kid in a Park program. Clifford the Big Red Dog was on hand to bring smiles to the faces of the kids and help Scholastic make an announcement about new educational materials to support fourth grade classrooms across the country in getting students outdoors.
Sierra Club’s New York City Inspiring Connections Outdoors volunteer leaders Craig Meisner and Patricia Ensworth joined me at the park to volunteer. When the kids arrived early, Craig sprung into action and kept them entertained with his Outings leader bag of tricks. Then Clifford arrived and stole the show.
Sierra Club Board Member and New York resident Loren Blackford was there, too, and had this to say about the launch, "today's event is a good reminder of the joy and learning that comes with spending time outside. Everyone should have an opportunity to experience the wonders of nature no matter where they live. We look forward to continuing to engage the next generation in the next century of conservation."
The Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), co-founded by the Sierra Club, showed up in force to provide nature-based activities for the kids.
REI taught the kids how to pitch a tent. And the kids taught REI just how many fourth graders can fit in their Half Dome.
Wilderness Inquiry brought their Voyageur canoes and the kids surprised themselves with just how easy it was to lift when they worked together. Wilderness Inquiry Executive Director Greg Lais said, "from Harlem to Yellowstone, Wilderness Inquiry wholeheartedly supports the Every Kid in a Park initiative. It’s amazing to see how excited these kids are when they first lay eyes on a Voyageur canoe. New York City is a priority for Wilderness Inquiry and we look forward to getting more kids from the Big Apple out on the river over the years.”
Discover Outdoors gave the fourth graders an opportunity to explore and learn about biodiversity. Discover Outdoors Founder and Executive Director, Kirk Reynolds said, “to lead tomorrow, New York City students need to be connected to nature today, where science is learned experientially, and character is shaped through team-work and adventure.”
And the kids loved their new bags from The North Face. Todd Spaletto, President of The North Face had this to say about the event, “The North Face is pleased to support the Every Kid in a Park initiative. At The North Face, we believe that exposure to the outdoors in a child’s life has many benefits, including being great for physical health, instilling a sense of adventure and developing a respect for the environment that remains in adulthood. We are proud to support President Obama in his effort to combat the decline of young people’s connection to the outdoors by introducing all young people to the wonders of exploration. Our hope is that by encouraging kids to explore early, they will go on to become conservation-minded, long-term stewards who will pass these beliefs on to the next generation.”
The NYC launch event was one of several happening across the country to inspire kids, especially those with limited opportunities to connect with nature, to visit our nation’s public lands. To realize President Obama’s ambitious vision to get all fourth graders in America outdoors, it’s going to take all of us. I am honored to support this effort and proud of all of our partners who time after time show up for our kids.