Natural Playgrounds Company Helps World's Children Get Nature

Nov. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Concord, NH.   The Natural Playgrounds Company was recently selected from among hundreds of applicants throughout the world to attend the World Forum Foundation’s “Nature Action Collaborative for Children.”

Natural Playground designers, environmental educators, and health professionals from 32 nations recently met at the Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City to create action plans to reconnect the world’s children with nature.

Ron King, President of the Natural Playgrounds Company, said that connecting children with nature is their company's primary mission.

“We design and build natural Playgrounds all over the United States, because most kids no longer have the freedom to go outside and explore nature on their own, “ said King.

“We bring natural play and learning opportunities right to their child care centers and schools. Rocks, mountains, caves, streams, gardens -- we bring it right to them. How else will they learn to value nature and take care of it when they grow up?”

US Department of Health and Human Services Keynote speaker, Dr. Joan Lombardi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, said:
“Encouraging young children to enjoy, understand, and value nature, contributes to their health and well-being and helps them develop a sense of discovery. Research shows this is critical to a successful education.”

Teams from the US as well as from nations as diverse as Qatar, Peru, Scotland, Swaziland, Kenya, Malaysia, Montenegro, Bangladesh, Belize, and Bolivia, participated in the Forum.

The teams focused on creating nature-friendly spaces for children, adopting public policy, supporting families, hosting conferences and community forums, and creating multi-disciplinary college courses.

By training nature action teams from around the world how to connect children with nature in their communities, regions, and nations, the Forum begins fulfilling its mission to nurture 2,000,000 children to be future environmental stewards.

This Nature Action Forum is a featured project of the Clinton Global Initiative and is the third successful working forum on nature education sponsored by the World Forum Foundation.  

The teams will be supported by an online Environmental Action Kit sponsored by IBM Global Work/Life Fund and created by Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.

For 12 years, the Natural Playgrounds Company has been designing and building beautiful natural play and learning areas that inspire, beautify and challenge children and adults.

Additional information, pictures of Natural Playgrounds, and articles and research about natural play are provided on the Natural Playgrounds Company website, www.naturalplaygrounds.com.

# # #

The Natural Playgrounds Company, LLC is the leading US expert in the design & construction of sustainable, equipment-free natural playgrounds, natural playground elements, and outdoor classrooms, for K-12 schools, communities, and childcare centers.