Many of us have a favorite outdoor place and wonderful memories of playing outdoors as children, whether it be at our local park, in our own backyard or at a family vacation spot. But today, an increasing number of kids aren't able to build these kinds of memories and will never have a favorite outdoor place.

It's not just TV and video games that are disconnecting kids from nature; access to safe outdoor areas is also a factor. In the 2011  "America's Great Outdoors" report, young people noted many challenges that made outdoor recreation difficult or inaccessible to them, including the feeling that parks are uninviting or irrelevant because they or their families lacked environmental knowledge and/or the means to travel to them. They also noted that there isn't enough outdoor education or recreation in schools to make them feel comfortable in nature.

We Help Kids Build Outdoor Memories

At the Fund, we believe kids have the right to a healthy childhood and that a healthy childhood includes being outdoors.  That's why we work to save lands where kids can play outside and learn about the nature.  Check out some of the great projects we're proud to be part of:

YMCA Camps

• We helped place a land preservation agreement on 300 acres at Camp Miller in Minnesota. For more than a century, the YMCA of Duluth has offered summer resident camps and outdoor, environmental education opportunities for more than 2,000 youth each year at Camp Miller. During their visit, campers can take part in any or all of the following activities: swimming, canoeing, archery, field sports, kayaking, nature hikes, fishing, sailing, arts-n-crafts, rock climbing, horseback riding, rifle safety and marksmanship and more.

• In Colorado, we placed a conservation easement on 2,800 acres at the YMCA of the Rockies’ spectacular Snow Mountain Ranch. Each year, this YMCA ranch reconnects thousands of kids with nature through environmental education programs and other outdoor activities.

Boy Scouts Of America Camps And Facilities

• In 2011, we worked with the Longs Peak Council of the Boy Scouts of America to permanently protect the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, a 3,201-acre property located 40 miles northwest of Fort Collins in Colorado. Protecting the ranch means the property can continue to serve as an outdoor classroom for children and future forestry leaders.

• In Delaware, we saved nearly 140 acres on one of the few remaining large undeveloped tracts in close proximity to the city of Dover. We transferred 85 acres to the Del-Mar-Va Council Boy Scouts, which plans to create its peninsula headquarters and conduct youth camping activities on the site. Kent County will acquire the remaining land, about 53 acres, for outdoor recreation and a trail system that connects to a nearby county park.

Farm And Wilderness Foundation Summer Camp

• In Plymouth, Vermont we helped negotiate a land preservation agreement on more than 440 acres of private forest land that guarantees the land will continue to be used for educational and recreational activities during summer camps. Proceeds from the sale of this conservation easement will allow the Farm & Wilderness Foundation, the organization that currently runs the summer camps, to strengthen programs, improve buildings and offer more financial aid to campers across the country.

We can do more. Your support will help us continue to protect lands where kids can experience the outdoors and build a lasting relationship with nature.

Photo: Yenwen_Lu (top); The Farm & Wilderness Foundation (bottom)