Hello!
Please join us for the 9th Leave No Child INSIDE Central Ohio Collaborative Summit! We will be holding the summit outdoors, under the protection of various shelters, at the wonderful Stratford Ecological Center.
In 2005, Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods, sparked an international movement of concerned people who realize “Nature Deficit Disorder” is having a real impact on our children’s lives, behavior and development, from their eyesight to their social skills.
Those vivid, emotional memories of catching frogs, getting lost in thought in the forest, or playing for hours with rocks and sticks are not just fond reminiscence; these are the moments that fuel imagination, teach compassion and wire our brains to be human, social, and a player in the larger world. In addition, children who sit alone, glued to a handheld screen, are more likely to have attention and behavior problems, not to mention poor physical health.
The Leave No Child Inside Central Ohio Collaborative formed in 2007, and has grown to include more than 80 organizations. Working with people from all sectors we have helped spread this important movement across central Ohio and beyond.
Preliminary GOALS for Central Ohio Summit:
-Share with each other our stories, vision and accomplishments of the resources and nature/outdoor programs already in action in Central Ohio
-Network to enhance existing programs and create new ways to reunite children and nature through ongoing collaboration
-Create together how to share this important story powerfully to maximize the use, capacity, funding, and publicity for central Ohio nature programs in parks, camps and schools, nature centers, etc.
We are, once again, bringing together leaders in the fields of education, conservation, recreation, health and wellness, land planning, mental health, youth development and other fields in a beautiful natural setting to discuss how we, in central Ohio, can work together to move this issue forward, so more and more children and families can get reconnected with nature.
You represent an important aspect of the Columbus community. We need your ideas and help so no child is left inside. Please join the Leave No Child Inside Board of Directors, and other community leaders for this important gathering! We know you will want to be part of this vital discussion.
Location: The Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Rd, Delaware, OH 43015
Date: Friday, October 8, 2021
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm (See our Schedule Page for details)
Registration: Quick and easy online registration at $30 per person includes lunch
Contact: Alice Foeller info@kidsandnature.org 614-887-7483
We are so excited to facilitate the dialogue among local leaders on this important topic!
Thank you,
Jenny Morgan, Alice Foeller and the LNCI Board of Directors
History of the Movement
In 2005 author Richard Louv released his book Last Child in the Woods—Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. Louv’s book would soon become a best seller, and would set in motion an international movement to reconnect children with their natural world. Louv’s book would raise alarm bells that today’s children are suffering from a disconnect with their natural world, and that this disconnect is having devastating impacts on their health. His book would raise awareness that frequent time in nature is absolutely critical for our children’s healthy development, something the pandemic has confirmed. But that repairing this severed connection is also critical for the future health of our natural world.
Louv’s book resonated with people and organizations around the world. Since the book was released, the LNCI movement has grown and brought together leaders from countless disciplines. You will find teachers, doctors/nurses, moms, dads, grandparents, psychologists, park leaders, architects and designers, governmental leaders, and many, many more in this movement. The wonderful thing about this movement is that it can include everyone from every discipline and political party.
The Leave No Child Inside Central Ohio Collaborative became part of this important movement in 2007, when we held our first LNCI summit in the Hocking Hills. More than thirty central Ohio organizations joined us for that first gathering, and today we have more than 80 organizations involved in our LNCI network. Since that first summit we have held seven additional summits, AND on October 8, 2021, we will be holding our ninth summit. We are writing to you today because we need your important voice at the table of our upcoming summit. We need your ideas, your passion, your questions, your story, and your presence.
We will be gathering at the wonderful Stratford Ecological Center in Delaware, Ohio, to discuss important topics related to this issue. Check in starts at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 8 and will conclude at 3:00 p.m. We will be joined by the wonderful Chris Kloth, renowned facilitator of Open Space technology. Register here for $30 (includes lunch) and consider our sponsorship options.