Make Your 2010 Be Out There Resolution

In the last two decades, American childhood has moved indoors. The average boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes outdoors every day.

Studies show that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature.

We hope you will make this online resolution to get outside more in 2010! If you do, you'll get exclusive tips and activities to make the pledge a reality.

The National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and support its national campaign to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: childhood’s essential wildness and connection to the natural world.

Join the Be Out There movement in 2010 for the health of our nation’s children.

Here are the facts:

•The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development.

•Outdoor play increases physical activity levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic.

•Lack of outdoor time and inadequate doses of sunlight are creating a generation of children deficient in Vitamin D, setting them up for increased risk of bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.

Lets get the kids back outside!!!!