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The countdown to Earth Day (April 22) is on and I know some of you may be looking for ideas in how to celebrate. Why not join The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 and take the pledge to keep the TV off during Earth Week? You can use the time by reconnecting with nature and encouraging your children to explore the outdoors. The Biomimicry Institute has come up with a FREE downloadable workbook filled with fun outdoor activities that parents can do with kids as well as a nature journal that kids can use to record the discoveries they have found. Each day of the week (April 19 – 25) in the workbook is packed with new fun activities to inspire children to see nature as something to enjoy, learn from, and protect. The first day starts out with a Scavenger Hunt where the participants are asked to go outside and need to find the objects on the list, such as something soft, spiky, smooth, ect… This looks like a real fun activity and can be turned into a game to include prizes for the child who finds the most items.
At the end of the week, kids can share stories from their Nature Journals in hopes to inspire others to “turn off the TV and turn nature on.” PLUS, they have the chance to win some prizes including a kids sleeping pad, camp chair or water bottle from Pacific Outdoor Equipment. The drawing will be held on May 3, 2010 and winners will be announced by email that same week.
I’ve included the press release below in case your interested in learning more about the campaign and joining in The Great TV Rebellion of 2010.
THE GREAT TV REBELLION TO LAUNCH EARTH WEEK 2010
Thousands encouraged to turn off TVs and turn on nature
MISSOULA, MT – Kids, parents, and teachers across the country are
rising up and pledging to turn off their televisions and other
electronic devices as part of The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 during
Earth Week (April 19 – 25). The event, sponsored by The Biomimicry
Institute, encourages kids to spend time learning from and engaging
with the natural world in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.WHAT: The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 was inspired by a children’s song
of the same name from the award-winning CD Ask the Planet
(www.asktheplanetcd.org). The goal of The Great TV Rebellion of 2010
is for 5,000 kids, parents, and teachers to turn off their TVs and
electronic devices and spend time exploring the natural world around
them. The Biomimicry Institute (TBI) has developed a workbook filled
with fun and educational outdoor alternatives that parents and
teachers can use to inspire kids to explore nature during Earth Week.
The workbook can be found on TBI’s website,
www.biomimicryinstitute.org/tv2010, along with an interactive pledge
for TV rebels to sign, and a hard copy of the pledge that can be
colored and taped to the TV as a reminder to keep electronic devices
off. Kids can also download a Nature Journal in which to record the
sights, sounds, and smells they discover during their exploration.
Those who submit stories about their outdoor explorations during Earth
Week will be entered to win a prize donated by Pacific Outdoor
Equipment. Stories may be submitted at
www.biomimicryinstitute.org/tv2010.WHEN: Earth Week, April 19 – 25, 2010
WHERE: In homes and schools across the country
WHY: Cell phones, video games, television, and computers are becoming
more widespread and more mobile, making it easier for children to use
these technologies nearly everywhere, rather than physically playing,
exploring, and learning in the outdoors without electronic devices.
The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 is intended to positively encourage
children and adults to spend quality time outside while fostering a
connection to nature that will draw people back to the outdoors for
the rest of their lives.The Biomimicry Institute is a not-for-profit organization that
promotes the study and imitation of nature’s remarkably efficient
designs, bringing together scientists, engineers, architects and
innovators who can use those models to create sustainable
technologies. Our mission is to nurture and grow a global community of
people who are learning from, emulating, and conserving life’s genius
to create a healthier, more sustainable planet.
