Kids in Parks

Get Unplugged.  Get Outdoors.  Get Cool Prizes.

 

NatureConnect is excited to have brought the award-winning national Kids in Parks program to Central Oregon.  Kids in Parks is a national program that grew out of a vision to address trends of childhood inactivity by getting kids “unplugged” and physically active in parks for their health and the health of our parks.  The program began in North Carolina and has expanded to include 190 TRACK Trails in 12 states, reaching approximately 375,000 kids since 2009.  Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and recognized by the White House with a “Let’s Move! Champion of Change” award, the Kids in Parks program includes both a network of TRACK trails, which are family-friendly, self-guided adventures, and TRACK Rx, a system in which healthcare providers prescribe time outdoors, utilizing TRACK trails and other self-guided adventures.  Youth log their adventures on the Kids in Parks website, earning up to six prizes.

 

Central Oregon TRACK Trails

 

Each TRACK trail has kiosks identifying kid-friendly trails and self-guided educational activities

Track your hike at the Kids in Parks website to earn up to six prizes!  Find all of the Central Oregon self-guided activities in one place here.

TRACK Rx

 

Health care providers in Central Oregon are invited to participate in TRACK Rx.  Participating in the program is easy!  Providers prescribe time outdoors, using TRACK Rx pads and TRACK Rx brochures that highlight the health benefits of spending time outdoors.

 

There are numerous studies that link our overall health with spending time outdoors. When we play outside, our muscles grow stronger, our cardiovascular health is improved, our brains get smarter, and our self-esteem grows.

 

Kids in Parks is partnering with health care providers to get our program’s materials in the hands of their patients. Partnering doctors are on the cutting edge of a national movement to prescribe outdoor activity to their patients called Park Rx, or Park Prescriptions.

 

To learn more about the program, contact:

Katie Chipko, Executive Director
Children’s Forest of Central Oregon
[email protected]
(541) 383-5592

 

Thank you to the Central Oregon Health Council for supporting this program!