Film Addresses Kids’ Need of the Great Outdoors

While the foothills of the Wenatchee Valley are ablaze with spring bloom and headlines tout the opening of hiking trails from seasonal closures, too many kids are staying inside with eyes glued to video screens. The Chelan Douglas Land Trust, sponsors of the Wenatchee Valley Environmental Film Series’ April 21 screening of “Mother Nature’s Child,” recognizes the need to get kids engaged in the outdoors and is doing something about it.

“We are launching a new program this spring focused on getting kids outside and learning about nature,” said Sharon Lunz, Communications & Development Director for the Land Trust. “By making it easier for families to visit lands close to home that the Land Trust has helped protect, we hope to bring the benefits of natural areas to a wide cross-section of our community.”

Land Trust staff will be on hand before and after the 7 p.m. screening of Mother Nature’s Child at the Wenatchee Valley Museum to talk about their “Kids and Nature Connections” program designed to provide events and outings in the Wenatchee foothills tailored to families. Mother Nature’s Child poignantly addresses the value of outdoor experiences for children. The benefits include: greater physical activity, better peer relationships, greater awareness of nutrition, decreased susceptibility to learning disorders, increased creativity, and ability to think critically

The series is presented by Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, Trust for Public Land and the Chelan Douglas Land Trust. Screenings are free but a $5 donation is suggested.

For more information call 888-6240 or visit www.wvmcc.org.