OUR CHILDREN AND THE OUTDOORS:WYOMING SURVEY 2010

“The connection of youth and nature is a powerful thingthat gives kids a bright imagination and teaches us about life.”

“Youth today need nature and places to play.”

– 2010 Wyoming Youth Congress Delegates

OUR CHILDREN & THE OUTDOORS:WYOMING SURVEY 2010

WHO RESPONDED

1371 Wyoming households with at least one child between 5–12 years old (52% responded for a female child, 47% male child; distribution across ages 5–12 was very even).

WHEN & WHO ADMINISTERED

The survey was administered from August – October 2010 by the University of Wyoming’s Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC).

PURPOSE

• Provide baseline data about the time Wyoming children spend outdoors.

• Document the beliefs and values of parents about children and the outdoors.

QUESTIONS ADDRESSED

• How much time do children spend outdoors and what are they doing outside?

• What are parents’ values and beliefs about children spending time outdoors?

• What are the opportunities for and barriers to children spending more time outside?

How does the Survey connect to the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature?

In October 2009 and 2010 Teton Science Schools hosted the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature. Eighth graders from around Wyoming participated in the Congress to explore the growing disconnect between children and the outdoors and to generate energy to get outside in their home communities.

During the 2010 Congress, the eighth grade Congressional Delegates completed a youth survey similar to the WYSAC adult survey, and then discussed key themes in the results of both surveys. Highlights from the survey of Congressional Delegates and some of their take-home messages from the Congress are included.

AT A GLANCE

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KEY FINDINGSFROM THE PARENT SURVEY• 99% of Wyoming parents said that playing outside is important for their child’s physical and mental well-being.

• 65% of Wyoming parents also want their children to spend more time outdoors than the children currently do.

• However, 77% of Wyoming parents believe they need to supervise their children’s outdoor play.

CHILDREN’S MENTAL WELL-BEING• 89% of parents agree that their children do better in school when the child has some time outdoors during the school day.

• 92% of parents agree their child is happier when the child spends time outdoors.

• 95% of parents agree their child is less stressed when the child spends time outdoors.

TOP 3 PLACESCHILDREN SPEND TIME OUTDOORS:1. Yard of home (95%)

2. Neighborhood (62%)

3. Local Parks (67%)

TOP 3 GROUPS CHILDRENSPEND TIME WITH OUTDOORS:• Adult family members (88%)

• Siblings or child family members (79%)

• Friends, peers (78%)

TOP 4 BARRIERSTO SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS:1. Electronics (66%)

2. Homework, time in school (49%)

3. Playing indoors with friends (42%)

4. Child chooses not to spend more time outdoors (34%)

TOP 3 THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS EASIER:• Better weather (47%)

• More friends who like to spend time outside

• More money to dedicate to outdoor activities

(37%)

(29%)

…IN

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S.What are our Wyoming kids

doing outside?

Parents indicate that in the prior year, at least 50% of their children participated at least once in the following outdoor activities:

• Outdoor chores

• Free play outdoors

• Snow recreation

• Backpacking, hiking or camping

• Outdoor water recreation

• Outdoor activities on paved/unpaved surfaces

• Outdoor picnics or gatherings

• Read, study, write or photograph outdoors

• Fishing, hunting, trapping, or tracking

• 4-H, outdoor animal care, or gardening

• Playing or practice for organized outdoor sports

Most parents (74%) were comfortable with their children playing outdoors by themselves. However, many also expressed concerns:

“I think my kids are too young to be alone without supervision [except] in our own yard, but it is difficult to enjoy outdoors with a child when you have others with different ages, interests, abilities. When I was a kid we rode our bikes to the park to play. “

– Survey Respondent

“I do think they need to be checked on or kept an eye on, but give them some space to play and create.”

– Survey Respondent

Takeaway MESSAGE

The best news to come out of the survey:

The average 5-12 year old Wyoming child spent 26.3 hours outside per week, or about 3.7 hours per day, during the month of August 2010! This level of outdoor activity is much higher than the national average.

Youth intuitively know how to play outside and understand the importance of being outside.

“Outdoor values and traditions like hunting, fishing and recreating, run deep in us.”

Milward Simpson, Director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, attributes some of this good news to the fact that Wyoming is truly an “outdoor state.”

The greatest concern expressed by parents was the need for supervision of their child’s outdoor activities.

“What the Wyoming Children & the Outdoors survey tells me is that while we are not in crisis, we cannot overlook the opportunity to strengthen our children’s connection with the outdoors.”

Jack Shea, Executive Director of Teton Science Schools, interprets parent concerns as a signal that a wide variety of supervised outdoor programs for youth should be established.

Bottom line: LET’S BUILD ONOUR OUTDOOR HERITAGE!

Wyoming can and should lead the nation in healthy, nature-connected kids.

Wyoming parents and outdoor experience providers can readily offer our children more of something that much of the rest of the nation has already lost: healthy and positive exposure to outdoor activities.

NEXT STEPSGetting More Wyoming Youth Outside

Teacher Trainings 82% of Wyoming parents surveyed would feel comfortable with their child spending time outdoors with a teacher. Nominate a teacher to participate in a training focused on the importance of getting children outdoors and how to take students outside. Contact Teton Science Schools for more information.

Summer Programs for YouthOnly 49% of Wyoming children participated in a formal outdoor program in the last year. Look for summer youth programs in your community. Check with the local parks and recreation department, conservation district, Boy or Girl Scouts, the Wyoming Land Trust or Teton Science Schools.

Statewide Resource Guide59% of Wyoming families have access to natural, undeveloped areas for outdoor play within 5 miles of their homes. Look for the forthcoming Wyoming reference guide for parents, teachers, and outdoor professional to identify and catalog family friendly outdoor activities and opportunities near their homes.

Third Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and NatureBased on the successes of the first two Wyoming Youth Congresses on Children and Nature, eighth graders will convene at the third congress on October 27–30, 2011 at Teton Science Schools.

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