NEIGHBORHOOD NATURE CLUBS

Backyards & Beyond is a national 4-H initiative to connect youth with the outdoors in natural areas near where they live. Building on a strong 4-H tradition of environmental education and outdoor programming, Backyards & Beyond invites neighborhood nature clubs to explore and discover the great outdoors close to home, throughout the neighborhood and community, and beyond!... Youth development and health professionals, educators, scientists, parents and community leaders advocate for consistent, diverse and positive experiences in nature for good reason: Children of all ages benefit from quality time outdoors! They stand to improve in health and wellness; emotional and social development; academic performance; community pride and engagement; ecological understanding and concern; and environmental action and leadership... But, while it's easy to agree that a connection to the outdoors is at the heart of a lifetime of benefits, how do you actually cause that spark? Even with good..