While living in and visiting various cities throughout the United States, I was often asked, by children between the ages of four to ten, if I could explain what exactly a “hike” was. As the conversation proceeded, eyes began to expand and interests were suddenly peaked. Parents began interjecting, “We don’t have the right kind of shoes for that” or “Honey, you can barely make it around the block and now you want to go on a hike?”. For those that proved bravery overcame their personal insecurities on this particular topic we then moved to the next natural line of questioning, “Should we bring water and snacks?” or my favorite, “Sunscreen and insect repellant.” Now I know we’re really making progress, throw in a few band-aids and neosporin and we’re good to go!
A dear friend of mine is hosting a seminar on this very topic, reaching deep into the soul of our youth and our parents. Play Again specifically focuses on the consequences of a childhood removed from nature.
If you’re able to have your children, age eight and above join you, it will be time well spent. If the children are busy, come solo and enjoy the other busy parents taking time out of their schedule that would like to receive a few specific tools as to how to interject this important element of growth into the lives of their children.
Do you know any children who have fewer positive outdoor experiences today than you and your friends did at their age?
How has playing in nature and outdoor education impacted your personal and social development?
Does social media foster looking inward rather than
encouraging teens to become active in the broader, non-virtual
community?
These topics and more will be explored at Play Again on Thursday,
March 15. With generous support from the KidZone Museum, Sunshine
Tahoe, Cooking Gallery and Cedar House Sport Hotel, the event features
guest speaker Barbara Schneider, Ph.D. and the first Tahoe-Truckee
showing of “Play Again.” In the film, six screen-addicted teens take
their first wilderness adventure. We will discuss the overarching
question posed by the award winning documentary, “What are the
consequences of a childhood removed from nature?”
Hi Christina, Below is the content I sent to the Sierra Sun this
morning. Please feel free to use any of the info. or attached images
and link to event page – http://www.nicolecheslock.com/barbs-bio.html
Thanks so much! Please let me know if you’d like anything else for
Sunshine’s sponsorship. – Nicole
SUGGESTED SIDE BAR
Play Again
What: What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature?
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15
Where: Cedar House Sport Hotel
Tickets: $15 advance (available online at nicolecheslock.com), $20 day
of (if available). Includes presentation, film and snack.
Connecting with nature and one another
Do you know any children who have fewer positive outdoor experiences
today than you and your friends did at their age? How has playing in
nature and outdoor education impacted your personal and social
development? Does social media foster looking inward rather than
encouraging teens to become active in the broader, non-virtual
community?
These topics and more will be explored at Play Again on Thursday,
March 15. With generous support from the KidZone Museum, Sunshine
Tahoe, Cooking Gallery and Cedar House Sport Hotel, the event features
guest speaker Barbara Schneider, Ph.D. and the first Tahoe-Truckee
showing of “Play Again.” In the film, six screen-addicted teens take
their first wilderness adventure. We will discuss the overarching
question posed by the award winning documentary, “What are the
consequences of a childhood removed from nature?”
About Barbara Schneider, Ph.D.
Guest speaker Barbara Schneider, Ph.D. has spent her professional,
academic and parental life exploring the ways that individuals and
institutions are changed by and leverage experiences in informal
learning environments such as museums, aquaria, parks and their own
backyards. Schneider’s work has resulted in numerous grant awards,
conference presentations and publications. She taught A History of
Methods and Evaluations of Informal Learning Environments at Stanford
University where she earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teacher
Education. In addition, Barbara has a Master’s degree in Marine
Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. She resides in Los
Gatos with her husband and two daughters but prefers to be in Truckee
whenever they get the chance. “Being the parent of two active children
has proven the best teacher of all,” shares Schneider.
About “Play Again”
Tonje Hessen Schei, co-founder of Ground Productions, is a Norwegian
filmmaker who directed “Play Again.” At a time when most children play
more behind screens than outside, “Play Again” explores the changing
balance between the virtual and natural worlds. The documentary
follows teenagers who generally spend five to fifteen hours a day
behind screens unplug and go outdoors. Through the voices of children
and experts (including journalist Richard Louv, sociologist Juliet
Schor, environmental writer Bill McKibben, educators Diane Levin and
Nancy Carlsson-Paige, neuroscientist Gary Small, parks advocate
Charles Jordan and geneticist David Suzuki), “Play Again” explores the
role of outdoor play in fostering a sustainable future. Visit
playagainfilm.com for more information.
Nicole Cheslock runs NC Communications, a boutique PR agency serving
businesses and nonprofit corporations. She can be reached at (530)
548-5010.
