Families in Nature slate inaugural meeting Saturday

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

This Saturday, Oct. 24 will mark the first meeting of Putnam County Families in Nature.

All families are invited to the DePauw University Nature Park at 2 p.m. for the occasion.

The Natural Families Network engages thousands of parents and families from across the country and around the world in frequent, active time together in the natural world. Groups of families organized into Family Nature Clubs help to break down barriers to getting out in nature, bringing together families from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and across generations.

Family Nature Clubs also foster quality time together with family and friends. Families are direct decision makers in the lives of children and must be at the forefront of this movement.

Family Nature Clubs worldwide are dedicated to helping people get time in nature back on the family calendar by providing regular opportunities to engage in hikes, paddles, camping trips and other outdoor family activities. Such experiences help to give families a sense of place, allow for free play in nature, and familiarize them with the many opportunities for outdoor recreation in their neighborhoods.

In most parts of the developed world, many children face a day full of structured activities: School, sports, music, dance, tutoring, etc. They just don't have the same time or opportunities for free nature play like people did just a couple of generations ago. When children don't have time to play outdoors in the natural world, they can miss out on many aspects of their social, physical and mental development.

Everyone is invited to join Putnam County Families in Nature for its first public event, set to feature a number of fun activities. The afternoon will start with a nature walk and autumn-themed scavenger hunt followed by a campfire and s'mores.

Those who have any questions may ask Tim and Kate Jedele or John Garner at 653-4924.

More information is available on Facebook at Putnam County Families in Nature.

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