Governor Rell Launches No Child Left Inside to Get Youngsters Outside and Showcase State Parks

Governor Rell Launches No Child Left Inside to Get Youngsters Outside and Showcase State Parks

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the launch of No Child Left Inside- a major state initiative designed to reconnect youngsters with the outdoors, build the next generation of environmental stewards and showcase Connecticut's state parks and forests.

During a kick-off event at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Governor Rell said No Child Left Inside - which is being coordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - will feature:

· The Great Park Pursuit, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure, a game that will take Connecticut families to eight different state parks and forests this summer. Families can register for this reality television type contest at www.nochildleftinside.org

· An enhanced State Park Interpretive Program to increase the number of natural, educational, cultural and historical activities in the parks

· A variety of new programs focused on the outdoors being developed by DEP in cooperation with other state agencies, schools, libraries and a number of organizations across the state.

"Study after study shows spending time outdoors is critical to the healthy growth and development of our youngsters," said Governor Rell. "No Child Left Inside will provide the incentive youngsters need to turn off their computers, cell phones and video games and get back outside.

"Through No Child Left Inside we will encourage young people to develop an appreciation for our forests, our rivers and streams, our beaches and our wildlife, said Governor Rell. We will also show people that our beautiful network of 137 state parks and forests offer safe, convenient and fun places to spend time with their families."

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, "Through No Child Left Inside we will help youngsters have fun in the outdoors once again. This will help combat childhood obesity - which is a growing and significant threat to the health and life expectancy of our young people. It will also teach children about the importance of our environment so they are inspired to protect it as adults. We need to put a new generation of leaders and activists in place to protect and build upon the environmental progress we have made."

The Great Park Pursuit, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure

A key element of the launch of No Child Left Inside is an eight-week contest that will take families on a tour of state parks and forests. This contest, The Great Park Pursuit, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure, will kick-off May 6 at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill and conclude on June 24.

Participants will be eligible for three grand prizes of outdoor equipment - such as mountain bikes and camping equipment - as well as additional prizes for those that reach specific point levels. The contest is open to families - which must include one person 18 or over and one person under the age of 18.

Registration for The Great Park Pursuit is now available at www.nochildleftinside.org.

Clues to each activity in the contest will be available at the end of each week's activity and on the campaign web site. Participants will receive points for each park they visit and activity they complete. At each location, teams will be asked to complete various activities that highlight the opportunities available in Connecticut's state parks - such as hiking, fishing, letterboxing, a scavenger hunt and more.

Park and Forest Interpreters

To make visits to Connecticut's state parks and forests more rewarding and enriching this summer, DEP will add 10 people to its staff of interpreters for both shoreline and inland recreational facilities. With this new staff, DEP will have a total of 47 seasonal park interpreters. These interpreters serve as guides to the park and run educational and recreational programs.

Other Program Elements

While No Child Left Inside is designed to grow and expand over time, there are several other program elements now in place. These include:

· State Park Passes at Libraries

Through a partnership with the Connecticut Library Consortium, public libraries across the state will have a Connecticut State Park & Forest day pass available for patrons. Library patrons may borrow the pass and use it for free parking at the major state parks where parking fees are charged. The pass is also good for admission to any museum located at a state park.

Those planning to visit a state park or forest will also be able to borrow a copy of the book, "The Shared Landscape: A Guide & History of Connecticut's State Parks and Forests." DEP is purchasing a copy of the book for every library.

· Traveling Exhibit

DEP has organized a traveling exhibit - "Connecticut State Parks: Like Something Out of A Storybook" - for use at libraries and other events around the state. The exhibit highlights classic children's literature that relates to activities in Connecticut State Parks.
· Reading Contest

DEP is partnering with the CT Library Consortium on their Collaborative Summer Library Program: Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales and Read! America: This Land Is Your Land. Each week throughout the summer, at state parks and forests where there are interpreters, programs and activities will be conducted that tie in with summer reading material available at public libraries.

· Statewide Conference

DEP is cosponsoring the Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association's conference No Child Left Inside, March 31 at Quinnipiac University, Hamden. Commissioner McCarthy will be speaking and the keynote will be given by Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder." Additional conference information is available at www.coeea.org.

DEP Partners

The list of No Child Left Inside partners will grow over time, but initial partners include:
State Agencies

· Department of Public Health
· Department of Education
· Department of Children and Families
· Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism

Organizations
· Connecticut Forest & Park Association
· Friends of Connecticut State Parks
· Connecticut Library Consortium
· Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association
· Connecticut Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

Connecticut's State Parks and Forests

DEP operates 105 state parks and oversees 32 state forests. The state park system dates back to the early years of the 20th century.
These lands include:
· 19 swimming areas and beaches.
· Nine historic sites of significance.
· More than 800 miles of hiking trails.
· 230 lakes and ponds.
· 2,000 miles of rivers and streams.
· 1,300 campsites at 14 state parks for both tent and RV camping.
· More than 100 public boat launch areas.

http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=2425&Q=311250