A catalyst for AMC
None of this is likely to surprise people familiar with AMC and its long-standing traditions of multi-generational experiences in the outdoors and commitment to outdoor education. Louv's proposed solution to nature-deficit disorder—take your child outside —lands squarely within AMC's sweet spot.

When Last Child in the Woods came out, the book made the rounds through AMC's staff and volunteers. Faith Salter, AMC chapter relations manager, was one of many who recognized the issues the book raised. She'd grown up along the Atlantic coastline, building forts with her brother and playing on seawalls. But in the central Massachusetts neighborhood where she was now raising a family, she'd seen a split between parents who let their children explore the patch of woods across the street or walk to school, and those who didn't. Some parents were concerned about safety; others pursued such busy family schedules that their children simply didn’t have time to go into the woods. In her work with AMC volunteers and chapters, Salter also heard that many parents felt they lacked enough knowledge to comfortably take their children into the outdoors. Like others within AMC, Salter had firsthand experience with the issues—and a platform for addressing them.

The movement spurred by Louv's book has been a catalyst for AMC as an organization. Salter and others have added expertise to the New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition and other state groups, worked on environmental literacy plans, and lent the organization's support to national coalitions such as C&NN and No Child Left Inside.

AMC held its first-ever workshop on families and children at the 2007 Annual Meeting. The large turnout energetically raised new questions for AMC: who to partner with, how to best leverage AMC traditions and resources to address the issues, and which issues to prioritize. One initiative focused on supporting parents who wanted to do the right thing but weren't sure how to go about it. Family Adventure Camps offered structured programming; AMC's website introduced easy-to-print guides that addressed common parental concerns, such as safety and trip preparation. The three annual meetings since then have offered opportunities to expand AMC's strategies for reaching parents and their children. AMC is nearing completion of a strategic 10-year plan, called Vision 2020. Of the four fundamental cross-organizational strategic initiatives, one is called, simply, "Getting Kids Outdoors."

A tipping point
C&NN President Cheryl Charles understands how far our society has to go to achieve the deep, lasting cultural change that will reconnect children with nature. Despite the growing activism, obesity rates continue to rise. The average person in 2003, according to University of Illinois researchers, spent 327 more hours per year with entertainment media than in 1987. Children spend even more time "plugged in" than adults: an average of more than 50 hours a week according to a January 2010 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. That number more than accounts for the outdoor play time that has been lost over the past quarter-century, and yet nothing suggests a willingness on the part of Americans to reduce media usage to gain back that "green hour." Researchers currently estimate that less than 3 percent of American children regularly go outside and play.

Charles, however, looks at the movement she helped create and sees the potential for a new tipping point. The natural world, she believes, will once again become a natural part of our culture if that 3 percent grows to 20 percent.

To get to that point, organizations like AMC will play a crucial role. "It's so hard for individuals and families to swim upstream," says David Sobel, director of the Center for Placebased Education at Antioch University New England and a member of C&NN's advisory board. "The function of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to create a subculture that says, 'This is comfortable and normal.'"

WHAT AMC IS DOING TO GET KIDS OUTDOORS

Maintaining strong traditions. AMC's huts, regional camps, Teen Wilderness Adventures programs, trail crews, Family Adventure Camps, and workshops increase the skills, knowledge, and comfort that children and families have in wild places. The Youth Opportunities Program has been helping introduce teenagers from urban areas to wild nature for four decades. Chapters have been running family programs for more than 30 years.

Facilitating entry-level experiences. AMC designed the Highland Center in Crawford Notch to address barriers to getting outdoors, providing free L.L. Bean loaner equipment and daily educational programs. AMC's Family Adventure Camps offer five days of guided activities for families new to the outdoors. And AMC guidebooks, such as the Best Day Hikes series, help families plan their own self-guided outings.

Partnering with other organizations. AMC has joined coalitions and partnered with states and other organizations in the shared goal of getting more kids and families outside. Examples: the Great Parks Pursuit in Connecticut and Massachusetts; Boston Environmental Youth Network; Maine's "Take it Outside" campaign.

Supporting environmental education legislation. AMC staff have given expert testimony in support of environmental education guidelines and funding.

Expanding to the next generation. AMC has signed on as lead partner in a Children & Nature Network initiative called Natural Leaders, which trains teenagers and young adults in environmental leadership. The first AMC program, focused on teens in New Hampshire, begins this summer. AMC is also affiliated with Outdoor Nation and Planet Explore, which use the Internet and social networking sites to connect teens and young adults to the outdoors.

Encouraging members and chapters to become involved. "Chapters know that their long-term health depends on reaching families and children," says AMC Chapter Relations Manager Faith Salter. In 2009, 1,700 children took advantage of chapter trips. Salter expects the numbers to increase.

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