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2008 Grassroots Gathering


Post-it Notes

Major New Study Shatters Stereotypes About Teens and Video Games

Source: www.macfound.org
Game playing is universal, diverse, often involves social interaction, and can cultivate teen civic engagement. (Washington, DC). The first national survey (1,102 youth ages 12-17...
Very much worth reading more on this.

http://www.macfound.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lkLXJ8MQKrH&b=4192109&content_id={CF9B933A-8261-4FE5-B9AD-AD751CDEEFC6}¬oc=1" title=

Contributed by Barron Orr

Regional Camp Network Can Support your Child/Nature Efforts

The American Camp Association operates a national office and local "section" offices across the US. These offices can be important collaborators in your efforts to connect children and nature. Identify your section by visiting http://www.acacamps.org/about/offices.php.

Individual camps can also be strong collaborators. Use ACA's "Find-a-Camp" tool to identify camps in your area:
http://find.acacamps.org/finding_a_camp.php.

Contributed by Barry Garst

More panel discussion shorter breakouts

What a great experience. I wanted to visit all of the breakout sessions so my suggestion would be to shorten them and offer more sessions. The smaller group format was nice. My only disappointment was in the content of the Natural Allies:Parents Campaign as I was expecting tips for social marketing strategies instead of a website review. The panel discussions were excellent and stimulating. Looking forward to next year.

Contributed by Lisa Panich

Note for C&NN members in LA

What a great forum the Nebraska gathering was!!! Flying home to Alaska, I met a dietician from New Orleans who would like to find a person who can speak to a large gathering of medical professionals at an upcoming conference in Louisiana about the health benefits of getting children outdoors. If you know someone in LA that might be able to do this, please contact Eve Dansereau Harmeyer at harmeyer837@hotmail.com/504-842-5400. Thanks, Carmen Field

Contributed by Carmen Field

Reflecting on the Gathering

It was a great event. I was stimulated by the ideas and enthusiasm flowing in the rooms. A comment for improvement: We sat inside too much on Sat. I think we could all benefit from participating in some innovative nature activities held outside. This would give us the breaks we need from long sits. We could easily do without some information on some programs to allow time for being out in nature. We need to walk our talk in better ways.

Contributed by Clifford Knapp

Clay Shirky and nature playgrounds!

Thanks to the comment below, we have started reading the Clay Shirky book and look forward to using that to guide us in what Mr. Louv called our "3 week" plan.
Thanks to the person who suggested using a nature spot instead of just hosting a table at events! We will use this tomorrow night at an event.
Also, we have developed a proposal to give to two public parks and rec. in regards to developing a free outdoor nature explore area! W.usluck!

Contributed by Chip and Ashley Donahue

Parents Campaign

I attended the parents campaign break-out. I thought it would be a discussion about ways to engage parents in new ways. I was disappointed in that it wasn't and in the campaign we previewed. Some of the local efforts have much more catchy and relevant brands - and web sites. Do we really need another one? I am not sure what the national campaign and web site would do that local entities aren't already doing better....

Contributed by Manny Kiesser

Idea Parties

Have idea parties. This is a concept of author Barbara Sher. One member has a need/wish/problem and puts it out to the group for suggested solutions and resources. Different than the discussion group above because all solutions are targeted to help one specific person.

Contributed by Kathy Louv

Chat Rooms

Have chat rooms with discussion groups around specific topics or problems. Or some other format on the website for sharing back and forth between members.

Contributed by Kathy Louv

Great Job

Let none of us forget the power and INFLUENCE we all have, and the change we can bring about as a result of that INFLUENCE.

This conference was an eye opener for me about the fun, experience and diversity the great outdoors can bring. Nature is humbling and those who appreciate nature generally have a humbling spirit. I am energized more than ever to explore and experience nature more often with my kids and embrace "NCLI"

Thanks you all

Contributed by Tyrell Hughes

Project BudBurst (http://budburst.org/)

Project BudBurst (http://budburst.org/) is an outdoor citizens science campaign focused on collecting important climate change data on the timing of leafing and flowering (phenology). This national field campaign targets native tree and flower species across the country. It engages children in compiling valuable environmental and climate change information around the US -- and it gets them outside repeatedly throughout the growing season!

Contributed by Barron Orr

Re-Connecting Youth with Nature:  4-H as an Outdoor Classroom - A Strategic Initiative

In January 2009, Arizona 4-H, in partnership with National 4-H Headquarters, is convening a strategic think tank of key stakeholders, experts, proponents, representatives from 4-H camp programs, environmental conservation, shooting sports, outdoor and natural resource programs and others. The goal is to develop a strategic framework to enhance the outdoors as a learning laboratory in the 4-H. Contact: Kirk Astroth <kastroth@cals.arizona.edu>.

Contributed by Barron Orr

The “third ring” and a recent book about organizing without organizations

In discussions yesterday about the "third ring." A recent book (and wonderful read) by Clay Shirky, "Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations" provide some fascinating insights into how web-enabled social media tools result in organization without the traditional structures we are used to. Richard Louv's discussion about the "Third Ring" brought this to mind.

Contributed by Barron Orr

meeting

great meeting. glad to be here and involved. count on clemson and myself for future efforts. thanks fran mainella

Contributed by fran mainella

natural leaders

The Natural Leaders group was a highlight of the conference. Why not launch a campaign to divert some of the $billions spent on incarceration to highering gang members to become "green gangs" or "gang greens". In place of jail, they would be greening their local economies and neighborhoods, launching "green color" businesses, taking their younger siblings and neighbors outside, etc. I hope to join you at next summers conference as a "green elder!

Contributed by jack greene

Newsletter Templates

Many community organizations have expressed willingness to help distribute our message, but they are pressed for time and could do a much better and faster job if we supplied them with templates for articles that they could customize for their own newsletters and websites. Articles could target a variety of sectors (health, education, etc.) It would be great if anyone writing such articles would share them. Should be short & concise.

Contributed by Betsy Townsend

13 suggestions for creating a Family Nature Club

1. Commit to a simple goal.
2. Read books which will inspire you to make a difference.
3. Be aware of other local efforts.
4. Organize.
5. Ask for permission from local parks and rec..
6. Invite everyone through local media.
7. Prepared parents are happier parents.
8. Ask for help.
9. Make it a family affair.
10. Demand parents stay with their child at all times.
11. Have fun. That’s the reason you're there.
12. Reevaluate and repeat!

Contributed by Chip and Ashley Donahue

Thank you for the open discussion!

The chance to meet and greet was truly the chance of a lifetime. We recognized so many names from websites and through exchanging e-mails, but to get to meet so many world-changers was the chance of a lifetime. Thank you all for what you do daily to get families out into the world around them.

Contributed by Chip and Ashley Donahue

Mormon (LDS) church

In Utah and S.E. Idaho where the Mormon faith waxes strong the church Relief Society may be receptive to our cause being healthy, happy families are a centerpiece of this religion. I would be willing to explore the possibility of arranging a presentation by Cheryl to the leaders (all women) of this group

Contributed by jack greene

new partners

Since I missed most of this discussion I wasn't sure if these organizations were listed: 1) master naturalist/junior master naturalist programs 2) AARP 3) MADD, mothers against drunk driving which is a well organized national org that may have an interest being CNN deals with self esteem and healthy life styles 4) Green Seniors- a website that may be willing to post some of our activities and research finding

Contributed by jack greene

Wow

Mentally and morally invigorating ideas which hopefully can spread through this great network. One suggestion - As we should be a model for what we are working towards, I believe we should have spent more time outside. What a perfect setting - forget the mics and powerpoints - allow engagement and listening in a setting that we, collectively are "promoting". Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this amazing group

Contributed by Mara Smith

Details/Resources on BAWTmobiles- car sharing

BAWT's program : http://www.bawt.org/lead/bawtmobile

A list of cities where Car Sharing exists: http://www.carsharing.net/where.html

The Vision: The technology and infrastructure is now in place to expand this model nationally. The time is now for philanthropy and car companies to work with youth agencies, schools and car-sharing organizations to create a new system of sharing vehicles, conserving resources and getting youth outdoors.

Contributed by Kyle Macdonald

Cell Phones? Twitter? Facebook? MicroBLOG?

I'd like to see models developed for using cell phones and existing social networking tools and micro blogging as the primary communication tool for outdoor families and friend clubs. Targeting younger parents and their families.

Find me to brainstorm and take action.

Contributed by amy Pertschuk

another tipping point issue

It seems to me the infrastructure issue is a tipping point issue for culture change, and how to sustainably scale the best of what has already occurred, and what may occur in the future.

Contributed by Amy Pertschuk