| Take It
Outside—
Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan and
his daughter Chelsea are in the front canoe of the Governor’s excursion
along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway PHOTO: Dan Cashman
A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative to Get
Mainers Outside
by Ramona du Houx
 Maine’s
two Olympic gold medalists, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Seth Wescott, joined Governor John
Baldacci to announce a state initiative, Take it Outside, whose goal is to is to engage
youth in outdoor activities at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth last summer.
-PHOTO Ramona du Houx
"We can start today to make
a difference in the lives of our children. Kids are healthier and happier when they are
exposed to the wonders of nature. Maine is a rich state with our natural resources. You
don’t need to go to Disneyland to enjoy good times with your family and friends. All
you need to do is be able to enjoy what we have right here in Maine," said Governor
Baldacci. "I have directed state agencies to evaluate their programs, rules and
policies with respect to the role they play in encouraging Maine people, especially young
people, to experience and appreciate the natural world. I look forward to receiving the
findings from our state agencies and incorporating them into our planning. And next spring
we will hold a Blaine House Conference on Youth and the Natural World."
At the summit the state will work
with organizations that are already successfully getting kids outside and connected to
nature like Chewonki and the Maine Conservation School.
Department of Conservation
Commissioner Patrick McGowan said his department will work with other state agencies to
attract roughly $250,000 in grants to fund the best proposals that emerge from the
conference, starting in July 2008.
Far too many children have a
problem focusing on schoolwork, concentrating on one goal at a time. Attention deficit
disorders are all too common, and too many children are put on drugs to get through a
school day. With the advent of computers, the world is at our fingertips; at the same time
children’s fingertips need guidance. Between the computer, electronic toys, and the
TV, less young people are appreciating the world outside their door, in nature. Staying
glued to an electronic device is one item that is contributing to the nation’s
overweight problem.
 "Sometimes
we need to lead our kids outdoors," said Baldacci. "We need to get them away
from the iPod and, video, and text messaging, and just get them out to smell the beautiful
air and enjoy the beautiful resources we have."
Jack
Baldacci, Gov. John Baldacci and Baxter State Park Director Jensen Bissell on the Saddle
Trail of Mount Katahdin. The governor was the first serving governor to climb Mount
Katahdin since Gov. Curtis
The recent book by Richard Louv, Last
Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-deficit Disorder, describes the
problems children have growing up in a technology-based society, increasingly disconnected
from the natural world.
The book, conversations, and
Acadia National Park superintendent Sheridan Steele inspired McGowan to create the Take It
Outside initiative.
"Louv’s book told about
how a young boy couldn’t sit still, a young boy who nowadays would have been
classified as having an attention deficit disorder. His parents found a cure for him by
taking him outside. That boy grew up loving the natural world. His name was Ansel Adams,
one of this nation’s foremost nature photographers," said McGowan. "We want
kids to ‘take it outside.’ I grew up in a large family, and it was normal for us
to go outside to have fun. Kids nowadays don’t know what they are missing. This is
all about changing a mindset, so parents and children can see what a great time they can
have being outside. Maine has great opportunities to recreate in all four seasons."
Steele wants the next generation
of Mainers to experience being outside. "My message is not to get people to Acadia,
even though the attendance numbers at Acadia have been going down. My message is just to
get kids outside," said Steele.
Some parents who already motivate
their children to enjoy nature brought them children to the press conference.
"Playing outside makes you smarter, healthier and happier," said Theo Hembre,
age seven. "Playing catch is one of my favorite things to do outside."
The two Olympians made a point of
informing the press that getting active outside is what changed their lives.
"When I worked in a
restaurant out here on the Cape I would run to and from work. That really got me on the
path to gold. Just getting outside and walking really will help more people reach golden
years," said Benoit-Samuelson who started the Beach to Beacon marathon to motivate
people to become healthier.
Year after year there are more
people who want to participate in the 10k race. Governor Baldacci runs every year with the
encouragement of Benoit-Samuelson. This year he met his goal of completing the course in
under an hour. Some participants walk with their families.
"To me, one of the largest
successes of the Beach to Beacon has been seeing people pulled off the sidelines as
spectators and become participants the next year, taking charge of their own health and
wellness," said Benoit-Samuelson. "As the governor mentioned, we have a huge
problem with diabetes and obesity in this state, and more people need to take charge of
their own lives."
Benoit-Samuelson, the first
woman’s marathon Olympic gold medalist, also reveled that she used to babysit for a
Seth Wescott, the first snowboard cross, Olympic gold medalist.
"It’s really important
how I grew up. My parents encouraged me to get outside, and I hope that I can encourage
kids to do the same. There are amazing things to do outside in all the seasons," said
Wescott. "To prepare for the Olympics in ’06, I spent my entire summer playing
in Maine."
During that summer he whitewater
kayaked, surfed, sailboarded, and mountain biked.
"Maine has so much to offer
from the southernmost tip to Aroostook County and all points in between," said
Governor Baldacci. "Last summer I was lucky enough to climb Mount Katahdin with my
son, and I’m thrilled that I was able to canoe the Allagash with him as well. The
initiative isn’t about just going to the top of Katahdin or a trip through the
Allagash — but it can be a walk through the woods, playing catch in the park, biking
or snowshoeing one of Maine’s breathtaking trails, or even playing ball in the
backyard.
I hope Maine families will spend
a lot more time together outside. The memories will last forever," said the governor.
"Get outside, have fun, and enjoy Maine’s natural beauty while living a healthy,
active lifestyle."
Continuing the Take it Outside
objectives, Governor Baldacci partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Waterville, the
Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and Nickelodeon to encourage children to turn off the
television, get up, get out, and go play.
On September 28, the governor
proclaimed a Worldwide Day of Play in conjunction with an unprecedented move by a major TV
network. All Nickelodeon networks, along with their Web site, stopped transmitting
programs and went dark for three hours from noon until 3 p.m.
The Waterville area Boys &
Girls Club participated during the "blackout" by walking and running along the
Kennebec River Trail in the Waterville area.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a
nationwide initiative to fight childhood obesity.
Canoe routes just $10- postage included -direct from the
publisher - 207-643-2795
or send check to: Polar Bear & Co. PO BOX 311, Solon, Maine
04979
|
