Wyoming Youth Congress: Final Report

Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature

“Nature sparks our imagination. It fuels our creativity.”

– Congressional Delegate

Conversations with Delegates During the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature, 8th grade delegates from across the state were engaged in the discourse about the growing disconnect between children and the outdoors. Excerpts taken from follow-up interviews with two delegates provide some insight into the impact of this event on delegates.

Is there any experience or memory from the Youth Congress that is still on your mind?

Savannah Mitchell, Pinedale, WY: When we hiked to Phelps Lake, and then walked off trail to sit and write in our journals. I got to relax by myself. Then we hiked to the lake, climbed over huge rocks. We built a huge map of Wyoming, and a fort behind the lodges.

Jimmy Anderson, Cody, WY: The day we did the play team [unstructured outdoor time], I felt like a little kid again, carefree.

What has changed for you since the Youth Congress?

Savannah: I go outside more, and relax a lot more. I also keep in touch with the friends I made at the Youth Congress.

Jimmy: My perspective about being outside changed.

Before the Youth Congress I freaked out about what could happen outdoors. Now, I know that nothing is a big deal.

I used to be concerned about the dark, but now I enjoy what’s out there. The moon is so pretty.

When you think of the outdoors what place in your community is your favorite?

Savannah: Fremont Lake–we go boating, camping, cliff diving, going on the rope swing, water skiing, and snorkeling.

Jimmy: There are two. One is close to home. It’s Back Lake. It’s secluded, so I feel like part of nature.

It’s quiet. You walk down the trail and see birds and deer bedded down. The other is out of town.

It’s a reservoir with interesting geology. There are precarious pillars. You can climb. There is an area, Holly City. It’s a pristine formation, tranquil; a good place to get to know yourself better with the sound of rushing water.

What lasting impression or big message did you take home after the Youth Congress?

Savannah: I finally realized that there weren’t enough kids going outside. I realized that over time, if no one was going outside there wouldn’t be an outside to go to. When I take my dog for a walk I usually do it by myself. The other day I invited two friends to go with me. They did and I think they would do it again.

Jimmy: The big lesson everyone can learn: outside is fascinating! Dive into the outdoors, and I bet you’ll like it! Outside something [bad] could happen, but odds are it won’t be a big deal. There’s so much that is fascinating to discover and explore.

Belief Statements Delegates at the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature shared their creativity and enthusiasm in regionally based field groups. Each group created a belief statement which reflected the group experience concerning children and nature and added the statement to a large puzzle based on a map of Wyoming.

We feel that other people who don’t get the chance to see nature on a daily basis lose their desire to go out in it all together; lose their love and respect for everything around them.

– Delegates from Fremont County Spending more time in nature as a child will help you live a healthier and more successful life.

– Delegates from Southwest Wyoming We believe that children are becoming less involved in nature due to the growth of cities and electronics. They need to become more involved in nature so they become more independent and successful in life.

– Delegates from West Central Wyoming Life’s equation isn’t complete without an addition sign between children and nature. Nature provides essential lifegiving insight for us and our posterity.

– Delegates from Big Horn County We believe head, heart, hands, health, and home are incorporated into nature. Don’t be afraid of nature’s beauty; for your personality and capabilities will shine through.

Nature sparks our imaginations. It refuels our creativity.

Nature is a place to experience new ideas. We believe children in nature will always come back to nature. What do you believe? – Delegates from Southeast Wyoming Nature is a garden… Dig it!

– Delegates from Northwest Wyoming We believe kids need to be in harmony with nature – nature provides physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual benefits!

– Delegates from Northeast Wyoming Kids should experience nature because it fills the mind, body, and soul.

– Delegates from South Central Wyoming We believe that nature is a friend and friends need to be respected. Friends help us to stay healthier, happier, relaxed, and joyful. Nature is beautiful and has many wonders. It helps balance us in a world full of technology.

– Delegates from North Central Wyoming We believe. I believe in fields of flowers spreading out across a green valley, its beautiful colors brightening everything around it. I believe in green grass on a spring day. I love the feeling of the rustle of grass beneath my feet as I race across it running in the sunshine. I believe in tall mountains that surround me in a wave of comfort. Without all these special things, my life would be dull and almost lifeless. I will never be unamazed by all of these magnificent things that God has created. I believe nature is the source of happiness, health, and fulfillment. We believe.

– Delegates from East Central Wyoming

Takeaway Lessons Adults representing nonprofit, private, and government sectors attended the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature to observe and learn from the youth delegates. Many left eager to inspire other parents, teachers, and decision-makers to take action to strengthen the connections between children and nature.

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

I think we should have some more classes outside. There are more opportunities for kids to connect with nature and may be better able to learn.

- Congressional Delegate More recess time will improve test scores. Our brains are like stomachs. It needs to digest.

- Congressional Delegate The disconnect between children and nature is a problem created by adults and a lack of free time.

Parents need to encourage us to go outside and plan a day to be outside with their kids.

- Congressional Delegate I have learned that students are more relaxed and learn better outside. We hope that school can connect more with nature, and the more kids connect with nature, kids will appreciate it more and take better care of it.

- Congressional Delegate Youth feel a lot of stress in their lives.

Being outside helps lessen the stress and helps youth feel more successful and accomplished.

Kids relax while being outside, so the more relaxed you are then the better you might be able to learn because it is less stressful to kids.

- Congressional Delegate All I can seem to think about is how peaceful it feels being here [in nature]. I’m surrounded by living things, the best kind of living things because they don’t judge.

- Congressional Delegate

Wyoming Youth Congress on Children & Nature

At A Glance

Why Hold a Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature?

Youth were presented with their first opportunity to address the consequences resulting from the disconnect between children and nature.

Who

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Approximately 9 million (16% of) US children aged 6-19 are overweight or obese.

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Approximately 176,500 children and adolescents suffer from diabetes.

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Visits to state and national parks have declined every year for a total decline of 25% since peaking in 1987.

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The number of hunting and fishing licenses issued have declined 25% since peaking in 1981.

78 Eighth Graders Representing 40 Wyoming School Districts and Journeys School of Teton Science Schools

When October 15–18, 2009

Where Jackson Campus of Teton Science Schools Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Purpose • Engage the youth of Wyoming in the discourse about the growing disconnect between children and the outdoors.

• Harness youth energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to inspire other kids, adults, parents, teachers, and decision-makers to take action to strengthen the connections between children and nature.

Themes • 1st Day - Discussing who we are and why we are at the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature.

• 2nd Day - Exploring personal stories and connections between youth and the outdoors.

• 3rd Day – Introducing outdoor opportunities and preparing to take our messages home.

• 4th Day – Sharing beliefs and stories to reconnect youth to nature and the outdoors.

Next Steps Getting More Wyoming Youth Outside Statewide Survey Collect data to measure and gain an in-depth understanding of the perceptions, beliefs, and values linking children and the Wyoming outdoors.

Statewide Resource Guide Design a Wyoming reference guide for parents, teachers, and outdoor professionals to identify and catalog family friendly outdoor activities and opportunities.

Outreach to Congressional Participants Support delegates by visiting their home communities, assisting their presentations to local groups, and bringing a large map with belief statements.

Mini-Grant Opportunities Provide funding and programmatic support for new youth programs designed to creatively get youth from across Wyoming outdoors.

Second Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature Based on the success of the first Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature, the second congress will be convened October 28–31, 2010 at Teton Science Schools.

Photographs Š Neal Henderson

Explore Wyoming Connect youth from across the state during a twelve day trek exploring the natural wonders found in every corner, canyon, and community of Wyoming.