Who's Up for Some Fall Forest Fun?

One of the best things families with children can do is spend time outdoors this fall. Exploring nature provides lifelong benefits, from increasing academic skills and competencies to improving both physical and mental health.

Those are just a few of the reasons Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is hosting a Not So Spooky Forest do-it-yourself BINGO adventure this fall..

Just exposing children to a variety of natural environments can really develop a lot of new skills, like creative thinking and developing solutions that are outside of their typical surroundings. Unfortunately, today’s world is not the same one we grew up in, and children have fewer and fewer opportunities to really spend time outdoors exploring in nature.

Last year, AshlandSWCD was able to host a hands-on exploration event at their Hazel Willis Woods outdoor learning laboratory near Mifflin. But do to some construction upgrades currently taking place at the facility, the district has shifted to a do-it-yourself remote event that still encouraged families to get outside and explore nature together..

Research indicated today’s children are spending less time outdoors than ever—an average of just 4-7 minutes per day playing outside compared to over 7 hours per day in front of a screen. That lack of outdoor play results in children missing out on foundational experiences that can provide both physical and mental enrichment.

Exploring outside and experiencing nature’s diversity really encourages children to develop an appreciation for the natural world around them and their place in it. For example, when children spend time exploring in the woods, it’s not only an opportunity to learn about the diversity of trees and plants in the woods, but they can learn more about wildlife who call the woods home.

When kids are exploring in nature, they can take risks and stretch their limits. Climbing on downed trees, exploring trails and splashing through streams are activities many of us may remember from our own childhoods, but many kids today don’t have those opportunities on a daily basis. Successfully navigating and conquering those risks can build confidence in ways that extends to other areas of their lives as well.

Plus, those experiences are just fun for kids and relaxing for adults, too. Children who spend time playing outdoors are happier, better at paying attention and focusing, and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.

And as an added bonus, outdoor play encourages movement, too. No matter what kind of outdoor activity they are involved in, it almost always involves more exercise than sitting on a couch. That kind of exercise is not only good for kids’ bodies and physical health, but it helps those who struggle with paying attention and focusing as well.

With school back in session and the leaves starting to turn, now is the perfect time to make plans make fall memories of exploration and wonder by spending time as a family exploring the great outdoors. Not only will you reap a multitude of physical and mental benefits, but you’ll make priceless memories and lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of nature as well.

Participation in the program is free; just register online at notsospookyforest.eventbrite.com and your BINGO card will be emailed to you to explore throughout the month of October. Once your card has a BINGO, you can keep exploring or turn it in to the Ashland SWCD office for a goodie bag celebrating your accomplished exploration. Goodie bags are available to participants under the age of 18 only. For more information, contact Ashland SWCD at 419-281-7645.