Calvin Partnership Connects Families with Nature

Summary: On Saturday, September 19 Calvin's Ecosystem Preserve kicks off their "Connecting Families with Nature Passport Program," a partnership with five area nature centers.

See full story: http://www.calvin.edu/news/2009-10/passport-ecosystem

This Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Calvin College's Vincent and Helen Bunker Interpretive Center will entertain a host of area families. The event marks the kickoff for the "Connecting Families with Nature Passport Program."

"We just wanted to get families outside with their kids, enjoying nature," said Calvin Ecosystem Preserve Program manager Jeanette Henderson about the program.

The program partners the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve with five area nature centers: Ada Township Park, Blandford Nature Center, Howard Christenson Nature Center, John Ball Park Zoo and the Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center. It is funded through a $16,800 EPA regional environmental education grant to the Kent Conservation District.

Recent research about children and technology prompted the partners to create the Passport program.

"Studies have indicated that kids spend exorbitant amounts of time connected to some technology form and very little time outside," Henderson said. "Thus, they're becoming disconnected from the natural world. Instead of going to play in the sandbox and make mud pies, they're playing video games all day long."

The passport program was developed to help kids become engaged with the natural world. The program even allows children to earn points for the activities they do outdoors.

For more information, contact Jeanette Henderson at 616-526-7601.

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Received on Fri Sep 18 14:16:11 2009