NC Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights Poster Contest Invites Kids (Of All Ages) to Give Our Words that "Outdoorsy" Look!
Contacts: Kathy Bull, North Carolina Zoological Society, 336.879.7250
Shelby Gull Laird, Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), 919.673.7763
Statewide Poster Contest Announced for N.C. Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
Asheboro, N.C., April 26, 2010 — The North Carolina Children and Nature Coalition (NCCAN!), a project of the N.C. Zoological Society and the Environmental Educators of N.C. (EENC), is sponsoring a poster design contest that will be used in marketing materials for the new N.C. Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. The contest is open to school aged children and adults, too.
Information about the contest and the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights can be found at the contest website www.nckidsoutdoors.org. Organizers are moving quickly with the contest. Entries must be received on or before June 21, 2010. Winners will be posted on the www.nckidsoutdoors.org website by August 1, 2010.
The N.C. Children’s Bill of Rights will be used across the state to market and advocate legislation on behalf of children. The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights will heighten awareness and ensure all North Carolina children have many opportunities to connect with nature at an early age and build upon that connection as they grow. A growing body of research has demonstrated the health, educational, and social benefits of outdoor play in nature.
“Discussions concerning children and the out-of-doors are being held primarily between the adult decision makers,” noted EENC President Shelby Gull Laird, “It’s our intention to have children be a part of the conversation. Our poster contest is a first step in this direction.”
NCCAN! is a statewide coalition under the umbrella of the N.C. Zoological Society. NCCAN! is working with the Environmental Educators of N.C., the N.C. Zoo and other stakeholders to create a cultural shift across N.C. that promotes children getting outdoors, engaging in play, and connecting to nature. NCCAN!'s vision is that children will have the opportunity to value, discover and experience the natural world around them. NCCAN!'s mission is to establish a relationship between children and the natural world by bringing together people and organizations to strengthen, broaden, and support efforts that build these connections.
Environmental Educators of N.C. is a professional organization of environmental educators whose mission is to promote excellence in professional development and facilitate networking opportunities, inspiring educators to create an environmentally literate citizenry. Members include classroom educators, park interpreters, nature center educators, museum educators and other non-classroom instructors.
For information on NCCAN! visit the website www.ncchildrenandnature.org or call 336-879-7286. For information about EENC visit www.eenc.org
The North Carolina Zoological Society is a private, non-profit organization that supports the North Carolina Zoo and conservation. The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary; Beverly Perdue, Governor.
