(Jefferson City, MO) — The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting dozens and dozens of educational nature programs for children this summer.
Margie Vandeven, Missouri’s former Commissioner of Education, is all for it. Vandeven is now the Educational Branch Chief for the MDC and is leading a team of people coordinating and promoting educational programs.
She told Missourinet the benefits of these opportunities could go far beyond learning about frogs and fish.
Hike with a Shelter Dog – MDC’s Cape Girardeau Nature Center partnered with SEMO Pets in May for their Hike with a Shelter Dog program. The public got to show some shelter pups some love and take them on a hike around the Nature Center. Photo courtesy of Bridget Jackson, MDC Regional Recreational Use Specialist
“We’re seeing improvement in academic outcomes. We’re seeing improvements in mental health benefits. We’re talking about physical health,” said Vandeven. “One of the things that you’ll find about outdoor learning is how it does spark creativity, curiosity, and really promotes a lot of the problem solving skills that we’re looking for in our classrooms today.”
She highly recommends such programs for children to discourage summer learning loss and encourage physical fitness.
“None of us really want to see our students, our children, sitting on couches all day. I mean, getting them outside and exercising and exploring, developing their fine motor skills..all of this is really key,” she said.
According to Vandeven, there’s also a growing amount of evidence suggesting that simply being outdoors has far-reaching mental health benefits as well.
Whitley First Paddlefish — Whitley, age 8, caught her first paddlefish, measuring just over 34”, on Lake of the Ozarks on season opener. She was given a Sonic Citation for a free ice cream at Sonic. Photo courtesy of MDC Agent Bree Hamblin
“There’s something calming about the green space that’s around us, but also just observing what’s happening in nature. And then also that ability to really learn when they don’t even know they’re doing,” said Vandeven.
If that doesn’t convince parents, you don’t have to spend a lot of money.
“Very low cost. Many cases, all free costs to them. And so something that they certainly want to take advantage of,” said Vandeven.
She encourages parents to seek out programs on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website, at any of the state’s 1,000 county conservation programs, or at a nature center.
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