LETSGO_TK_2012

© Children & Nature Network LET’S G.O.!

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Play Serve Celebrate

What: Let's G.O.! (Get Outside) Let’s G.O.! is a youth-‐inspired, youth-‐led Children & Nature Network initiative to rally people of all ages to Play, Serve and Celebrate. We invite you to participate and spread the word. Let’s G.O.!

When: All of April 2012 The whole month of April as part of C&NN’s Children & Nature Awareness month!

Where: Nationwide Events will occur in a variety of locations, from coast to coast. They will be held in many different settings -‐-‐ from parks, schools and national wildlife refuges to neighborhoods, cities, states and regions.

Who: Everyone The goal of Let’s G.O.! is to bring together intergenerational groups of people to get outside together to be active, have fun and connect with nature. Families, teachers, students, mentors, grandparents and grand friends—and especially children and youth—are invited and encouraged to participate!

Let’s G.O.! = healthy people + healthy communities

Join the Party, Join the Fun in April 2012 for the second annual Let’s G.O.! celebration. In April 2011 over 100,000 people in 44 states came together to Play, Serve and Celebrate outside. This year, we'll take another giant step toward creating healthy communities! You are the change makers and the inspiration, so don’t be a stranger and Let’s G.O.! Get Outside.

Find Out More: http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/letsgo

© Children & Nature Network LET’S G.O.! PILOT EDITION Tool Kit January 2012

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INTRODUCTION We believe that every day should be a Get Outside Day—and that projects to connect children and

nature should be encouraged throughout the year in children's daily lives. The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) named April as Children & Nature Awareness Month several years ago, and the Natural Leaders launched Get Outside Day two years ago. The response of local governments, private groups and individuals across the country has been uniformly supportive. From the special proclamations of civic leaders to a collection of songs written to celebrate the movement, Children & Nature Awareness Month has both inspired those already interested in reconnecting children with nature and focused the attention of others on the importance of outdoor play in nature for healthy childhood development. These initiatives have also helped bring attention, visibility, and a sense of community to the many outstanding efforts already underway.

Now, thanks to the energy, enthusiasm and vision of the C&NN Natural Leaders Network, April is a time we pull together all of C&NN's partners and initiatives with a huge and inspiring push to get all people outside, and to encourage service projects to benefit the natural world as part of the process.

This is not just a call to action, it is a call for fun! Think of it as a party invitation, and the party location is all the green and living space around us. Community gardening, local hikes, river clean-‐ups, bird watching, fishing, biking, beach days, trail maintenance and habitat restoration—however and where ever you get outside in nature, we want to hear about it!

April 2012 builds on the energy of 2011 and can be the tipping point where people everywhere help build the movement to reconnect children and nature! PLAY, SERVE AND CELEBRATE—Let’s G.O.!!!!

NOTE: The role of the Children & Nature Network (C&NN) is to help build the children and nature movement, and to help parents and others learn about ways they can connect children to nature. Let’s G.O.! is an approach we wish to encourage. However, C&NN is not responsible for the activities and safeguards associated with events scheduled to reconnect children and nature. At any time, when children are outside on their own, or with families and friends, everyone should take safety precautions and be mindful of risks.

“In 2011 we made our first mark. In 2012 we plan to amplify the combined voices of nature and people because the solutions to

Nature-‐Deficit Disorder are found within every one of us, every leaf, every home and every community.

Let's G.O. Get Outside 2012!” Juan Martinez, Director of Leadership Development and

the Natural Leaders Network; National Co-‐Chair, Let’s G.O.!


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10 Steps For Planning, Registering, Sharing and Documenting Your Event

⇒ 1. Plan a Let’s G.O.! Event – Find your team, decide what you want to do and set the date! If you are looking for help with planning, this tool kit has lots of ideas.

⇒ 2. Partner with Let’s G.O.! for your April event—It’s simple. Use one of these tag lines and the Let’s G.O.! logo to let people know. Get the logo on C&NN Connect: http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/letsgo/page/logo

This event is part of Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside)

We support the Natural Leaders. Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside)

⇒ 3. Use the Let’s G.O.! Web Site Badge on your own web site or blog. Get the badge here:

http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/letsgo/page/badge ⇒ 4. Acknowledge ALL sponsors on your materials. Check with local sponsors to obtain their logos

and request permission from C&NN if you wish to use the logos of national Let’s G.O.! sponsors. ⇒ 5. Register your event online on the Let’s G.O.! Registration Page.

http://www.childrenandnature.org/LETSGO_REG After registering, you can download the event organizer’s packet including sample press release, liability and photo releases, print-‐ready versions of the logo and badge, checklist, signs and more.

⇒ 6. Publicize your upcoming event using social media. Share on Facebook, Twitter, and C&NN. Connect on other online places you frequent. Use the #letsgo2012 hashtag.

⇒ 7. Prepare the photo and liability releases that are appropriate for your event. ⇒ 8. Document your event with photos and/or video. ⇒ 9. Download and Print the Let’s G.O.! signs. Take them with you on the day of your event and

photograph or video yourself and/or your Let’s G.O.! group. ⇒ 10. After the Event Post and Tag your photos and Videos.

§ Post photos to your Flickr account § TAG YOUR PHOTOS “letsgo2012” § Post videos to your YouTube account § TAG YOUR VIDEOS “letsgo2012” § Post Photos and Videos to C&NN

Connect § TAG YOUR PHOTOS and VIDEOS

“letsgo2012”

§ Post Photos and Videos to Facebook, Twitter and wherever else you share.

§ "Like" the REI Facebook page, if you haven't already, and post your events on their wall.

§ Post your photos on The North Face site. § Stand up and be counted – Be sure to

complete the brief survey when your event is done.


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Let’s G.O.! Frequently Asked Questions

What is Let’s G.O.!? Let’s G.O.! is a youth-‐inspired, youth-‐led C&NN month-‐long intergenerational campaign first

launched in April 2011 to rally people of all ages to Play, Serve and Celebrate outdoors in nature.

Who are the youth leading this campaign? The C&NN Natural Leaders Network is a growing group of teens, college students and other young

people whose personal connection to nature comes from their experiences in their own neighborhoods, woods, fields, arroyos, mountains and oceans. At the core of this network is the youth voice. The ideas and spirit of this network are being developed by youth in constant growth and they are moving fast! For more information about the Natural Leaders Network visit: www.naturalleaders.org

The Natural Leaders have created this opportunity for Family Nature Clubs, C&NN Grassroots initiatives, teachers, businesses, government agencies and others to get people of all ages to work together to help curb nature-‐deficit disorder.

I have an event planned and would like to partner with Let’s G.O.! How do I do that? Many organizations already have events planned in April. It’s easy to partner with Let’s G.O.!

Download the Let’s G.O.! Web Site Badge for your own web site or blog. http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/letsgo/page/badge

And use one of these and the Lets G.O.! logo in your promo materials to let people know.

This event is part of Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside)

We support the Natural Leaders. Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside)

Get the logo on C&NN Connect: http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/letsgo/page/logo

I want to host a Let’s G.O.! event in my community but where do I start? First identify your allies and audience. Collaboration is key to making Let’s G.O.! events successful

and fun! Who would you like to work with? You can check the C&NN Movement Directory http://www.childrenandnature.org/directory/ and C&NN Connect http://childrenandnature.ning.com to see who else in your local area might be interested in developing an event. We encourage you to contact any of the Let’s G.O.! national partners who are in your local area—REI, Sierra Club, USFWS, and the North Face—and to invite and engage new partners.


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Once you’ve got your partners you can decide on the specifics. Would you like this to be an event that all community members may attend or would you like to have an event for young people in a neighborhood? What age group? The idea of the Let’s G.O.! events is that they will be intergenerational opportunities to get people outside in nature, but you can still focus on the age group that makes the most sense for your community. Let’s G.O.! events will look different across the country, and they should! After you decide who your audience will be, work with your partners to plan an outdoor event that is age and interest appropriate. It may not be a great idea to have preschool-‐aged children picking up garbage and high school students may or may not be interested in a Super Bug Safari!

Okay, I know who I want to invite to attend, how do I get them there?

Enlist your allies and partners—you’ll find a list of suggested partners below. If you do not work or volunteer in a capacity that gives you access to your audience, you may want to consider forming a partnership with someone or an organization that has access to that audience. For example, if you are hoping to engage local high school students in a beach clean-‐up, consider contacting the chair of the science department at the high school or the person in charge of the high school Recycling, Community Action, or Outing Club. Remember to visit the C&NN’s movement map and explore C&NN Connect to find additional partners in your area who can help you target potential attendees for your event.

Should I advertise the event? Ask your national and local partners to help. See 10 Steps for Planning for ideas on connecting with

national partners. If you are hoping to have community members attend the event, consider calling radio stations, newspapers, community organizations, Friends of (insert the name of park where the event will be), etc. well ahead of time and ask them to give community members a heads-‐up about what you are doing. Work with your local REI stores to have the events posted in their monthly online and printed calendars. Consider putting flyers in the local library, places of worship, and local restaurants and businesses (with permission) to increase attendance. Invite local papers and news stations to cover the event, and also write a press release about the event and send photos to local papers. Some newspapers, TV stations, and Chambers of Commerce host a community calendar in which you may be able to have your Let’s G.O.! event featured. Remember, it never hurts to ask!

I don’t have any ideas for an event or project. Do you have any suggestions? Think about your own interests and what excites you about nature and playing outdoors. The short

list of suggestions that follows can help get your ideas flowing. Also check out the online book Let’s G.O.! Join the Party, Join the Fun that shows how some people chose to Play, Serve and Celebrate in 2011. http://www.childrenandnature.org/docs/LetsGO2012_book


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NATURE PLAY DAY IDEAS ⇒ C&NN’s www.childrenandnature.org/naturestory

for a wide variety of things to do when playing outdoors in nature. ⇒ C&NN’s Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family Tool Kit

http://www.childrenandnature.org/docs/FamilyBonding.pdf ⇒ Nature Rocks http://www.naturerocks.org ⇒ Parent’s guide to Nature Play

http://www.greenheartsinc.org/Parents__Guide.html

Think Outside the box -‐ check these out. ⇒ Wild Zones

http://www.wild-‐zone.net/www.wild-‐zone.net/Toolkit.html ⇒ Create-‐with-‐Nature

http://homepage.mac.com/zpine/allages/ap2010/ap2010.html ⇒ Mud Games

http://www.childrenandnature.org/downloads/GG2011/PlayinAK_CarmenField.pdf ⇒ Nature Play Spaces

http://www.childrenandnature.org/downloads/GG2011/NaturePlay_byMaryHardcastle.pdf

Share your thoughts and ideas on C&NN Connect. http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/letsgo

NATURAL SERVICE IDEAS The idea of Natural Service is to get people outside serving in their communities for the health and well-‐being of natural landscapes and the people who live around them. These Natural Service projects will physically enhance, restore and maintain natural areas.

⇒ Plant Native Trees or Wildflowers ⇒ Help with Invasive Plant Removal or Trail Clearing ⇒ Plant a Stream Buffer (talk with your local Conservation District) ⇒ Organize a beach clean-‐up ⇒ Volunteer with a City Park, State Park, or City Forest ⇒ Host a Recycling Event ⇒ Help at a Community Garden ⇒ Clean up a Stream or River ⇒ Build Bat Boxes or Bird Houses and Feeders

To see what other network members have done, visit: C&NN Connect http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/naturalservicenetwork [+] View the Natural Service Network 2011 Slide Show http://www.childrenandnature.org/docs/NaturalService_slideshow


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Do you have any suggestions about organizations that I might partner with to plan or host a Let’s G.O.! Event?

It’s best to think about the connections that you already have. Groups and individuals that know and work with you are much more likely to participate. The Natural Leaders are rallying all the C&NN partners and initiatives, so you may find some kindred spirits on the C&NN website by checking out these links:

C&NN Nature Clubs for Families – on the C&NN movement directory http://www.childrenandnature.org/directory/clubs C&NN Grassroots Campaigns – on the C&NN movement directory http://www.childrenandnature.org/directory/campaigns C&NN Connect – http://childrenandnature.ning.com If, after checking these links, you have questions about C&NN contacts in your local area, please contact us at [email protected]

National Let’s G.O.! Sponsors and Partners

⇒ Children & Nature Network and the Natural Leaders Network ⇒ Sierra Club ⇒ US Fish & Wildlife Service – Connecting People with Nature ⇒ REI Stores ⇒ The North Face

Here are some additional ideas to get you started brainstorming about partners and allies:

Local Stores and Businesses ⇒ Outdoor Retailers ⇒ North Face Stores ⇒ REI Stores ⇒ Other retailers like Walmart/Target may

donate a gift card to raffle or help with a purchase of items for your event

Youth Organizations ⇒ 4-‐H clubs ⇒ Boys and Girls Clubs ⇒ YMCA After School Programs ⇒ Boy Scout/Girl Scout Troops ⇒ Local Schools ⇒ Mothers/Fathers Clubs

Supplies ⇒ Local Businesses ⇒ Grocery Store-‐ Snacks, Beverages ⇒ Local Landscaper-‐ Plants, Supplies

Civic Organizations and Government Agencies ⇒ City, County and State Parks ⇒ Land Trusts ⇒ Lake Associations ⇒ Local Government Offices ⇒ Community Gardens ⇒ Land Trusts ⇒ City Parks and Recreation Department


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How do I share what I’ve done with others? Plan ahead. Be prepared to count the number of children, youth and families who participate, and

the numbers of adults. Ahead of time, register your event online through the C&NN site at http://www.childrenandnature.org/LETSGO_REG. After you’ve finished your Let’s G.O. event, we encourage you to share what you did with others. Consider sharing pictures and details of your event on Facebook and Twitter. If you take videos, get them up on YouTube! Please keep the C&NN informed about what you are doing—post pictures and event information on C&NN Connect http://childrenandnature.ning.com. The 10 Steps to Planning, Registering, Sharing and Documenting guide will give you additional detailed information about letting others know about your event.

Who should I contact if I have questions? If you have any questions about Let’s G.O.! specifically

or the Natural Leaders Network in general, please contact Let’s G.O.! Co-‐chairs Juan Martinez and Avery Cleary, at [email protected].


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks to the Natural Leaders for creating Let’s G.O.! and inspiring all of us to come together

to play, serve and celebrate in nature.

The Natural Leaders Network is an initiative of the Children & Nature Network with support from the Sierra Club, The North Face, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and REI.

The Children & Nature Network is a non-‐profit organization dedicated to building a worldwide movement to reconnect children and nature. C&NN envisions a world in which all children play, learn and grow with nature in their everyday lives. C&NN builds awareness, supports the grassroots with tools and strategies, develops publications and educational materials, synthesizes the best available research and encourages collaboration. C&NN is also home to the Natural Families Network, Natural Teachers Network and over 80 Grassroots Campaigns and Initiatives.

This Tool Kit was created by Natural Leaders Andrew Anderson, Leslie Cook, Tyrell Hughes, George Lopez, Juan Martinez, Hanna Pinneo and Katia Rossi, with support from the C&NN staff.

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LETSGO_TK_2012