BY SUSAN WARE
Getting children off the couch and spending time outdoors is a challenge for most parents today.
Backyards, playgrounds and state parks have to compete with cable television, the Internet, gaming systems and other gadgets for attention.
Spurred on by the success of a Connecticut program aimed at getting children outdoors, the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation launched its own initiative.
Called the Great Park Pursuit, this program is designed to get adults and children out of the house and to introduce the bounty of New Hampshire state parks. Activities include ponding, animal tracking, arts and crafts, three-legged races and marshmallow roasting – all designed to bond families with the outdoors.
Not dissuaded by the heavy rain on Saturday, May 19, more than 30 teams took part in opening-day activities at Bear Brook State Park. At nearly 10,000 acres, it is the largest developed state park in the Granite State.
For many attendees, like Debby Gilbert of Nashua, it was their first time in the park.
“We have traveled all over, but we rarely travel to the state parks in our own state. We wanted to do this so that we can check out these beautiful parks that are right in our backyard,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert, her son Tyler and his friend Charles Countie heard about the Great Park Pursuit through the REACH program at Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua. The program is designed to keep parents of gifted and talented teens informed of activities that will spark interests outside of the classroom.
Gilbert was struck by the beauty of Bear Brook State Park and says that the boys were looking forward to the weeks of challenges.
The Great Park Pursuit is a six-week game designed for teams. Each team must have one child under 18, and one adult over 18. Every day Amy Bassett, marketing director for the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation, e-mails and posts online clues about the next location of the challenge. When teams arrive at the site each Saturday, they are then given details about their challenge. Some challenges are self-guided, some are guided.
Bassett said that by posting and e-mailing clues about upcoming challenge sites, the program is tapping into the younger generation’s computer savvy and making sure that everyone stays interested.
For Karen Handley, Londonderry, the Great Park Pursuit is a way to spend quality time with her grandchildren, Kayla Briggs, 6; Nicole Briggs, 9; and Taylor Briggs, 12.
“I found out about this on the Internet and signed us all up. It is really perfect for our family; we love animals, fishing, being outdoors. I love the idea of exploring new parks with the kids,” she said.
“We really want people to stop and explore New Hampshire state parks,” said Bassett. “Our parks are underutilized and, hopefully, this program will divert folks to state parks that they have never been to.”
The Great Park Pursuit is one part of the No Child Left Inside initiative that took life after Connecticut commissioners read “Last Child in the Woods, Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder,” by Richard Louv.
In the book, Louv argues that the current trend of a detachment from nature will have disastrous long-term effects on society. By getting children outside, he argues, we will see a reduction in stress, obesity and the symptoms of attention deficit disorder, plus an increase in cognitive skills.
Bassett said state commissioners are familiar with the book and that its arguments were a driving force in bringing this program to life.
If you are interested in participating in the Great Park Pursuit, Bassett recommends calling 271-3556 or e-mailing dred@state.nh.us for details. There is no cost to participate.