Health - Every Kid Outdoors

BY INDIA NIELSEN BARFUSS

What is the Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors

Initiative? In 2019, the Utah Legislature unanimously passed “Concurrent Resolution Supporting Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative,” which highlights research that shows time outdoors is beneficial for kids (and adults!). This resolution says the Legislature and Governor “recognize it is critical for the well-being and development of Utah's children that we promote a healthy, active childhood filled with outdoor experiences for Utah's children.”

Because of that legislation, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) administered a one-time (2020) grant from the Legislature to support outdoor youth programming. This includes facilitating an EKO passport program with 10 free or low-cost outdoor activities that any kid can enjoy, regardless of background or ability. Any kid who completes the passport will win a prize.

The Utah OOR also established Every Kid Outdoors advisory committee whose mission is to encourage kids, families, and schools to get outside and engage in outdoor recreation, connect with nature, and understand the mental and physical benefits that come from spending time outside. This group consists of 19 people who work statewide in fields ranging from land management, healthcare, after-school programming, to higher education, and more.

WHY DOES IT MATTER? + Time outdoors — as little as 20 minutes at a time — has been shown to have positive effects on your physical, social, and mental health. + You can experience health benefits by simply being

in an outdoor space like a park, even if you just sit on a bench. + Time outdoors benefits all people. It has been shown to decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and even cortisol (stress hormone) levels. + One study found improved self-esteem and mood within five minutes of exercising outdoors, with the greatest self-esteem improvements in youth. + Other studies have found that when kids learn and play outdoors, it can improve their problem-solving skills, creativity, and performance in reading, writing, math, and science. + Learning and playing outdoors can help youth improve their relationship skills and reduce stress and anger.

PASSPORT PROGRAM Utah has an EKO passport program with 10 free or lowcost outdoor activities that any kid can do, regardless of background or ability. Any kid who completes all 10 activities can send their passport to the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and receive a prize donated from a local outdoor company. Go to page 30 for an EKO passport or download the passport (with instructions on how to turn it in) at business.utah.gov/outdoor/eko. We currently have passports in English and pasaportes en Español.

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES ON THE PASSPORT? + Observe nature and wildlife in Utah. + Explore Utah's parks, public lands, and wild places. + Experience The Greatest Snow on Earth. + Gaze at the starry sky. + Bring along a friend to discover nearby nature. + Splash in Utah's rivers, lakes, and streams.

+ Follow a trail. + Plant a seed. + Play on Utah's rocks and mountains. + Be a steward and take care of Utah's outdoor places.

WHAT OTHER RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE? The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation has an Every Kid Outdoors advisory committee which is creating, updating, and uploading resources online. Resources are categorized for: Parents and Families, Youth-Focused Organizations, Educators, and Decision-Makers and Supporters.

UTAH OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION Utah is home to the nation’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation. The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation’s mission is to ensure all Utahan’s can live a healthy and active lifestyle through outdoor recreation. They work to elevate voices from across the outdoor industry, including human- and motor-powered recreation, land management agencies, conservation groups, and businesses and organizations that support all people getting outside regardless of skin color, ethnicity, age, outdoor background, physical ability, or recreation preference. We accomplish our mission through programs like Every Kid Outdoors and the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, and with the help of our advisory committee.

business.utah.gov/outdoor/eko

This summer we are partnering with the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation’s EKO passport program and some awesome Utah companies to give away a Utah family adventure trip.

GRAND PRIZE: A summer family adventure trip to Cedar City and Brian Head. Trip includes 2 nights lodging, guided adventure (ATV or horseback riding) and a day at Brian Head Resort.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS: 1) Check off all 10 activities on the passport.

2) Write an essay, draw a picture, create an illustration or video highlighting something you learned or loved while participating in one of these 10 activities.

NOTE: Because this is a summer contest and one of the activities listed is “Experience The Greatest Snow on Earth” we are open to creativity here, as most of the snow has melted, so this item could be combined with “Splash in Utah's rivers, lakes, and streams".

EMAIL Take a photo of your completed passport and email it to us along with your contest entry - Mo@DiscoverUtahMagazine.com

MAIL Send your completed passport along with your contest entry to: Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation C/O India Nielsen Barfuss 60 E. South Temple, Suite 300 Salt Lake City, UT 84111