What’s the Outdoor Parks Passport?

Sonoma County Regional Parks and California State Parks have joined forces to launch the Outdoor Parks Passport. The program is designed to give parents and their children strong incentives for visiting parks, because doing so on a regular basis does contribute to healthier kids. Using the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Outdoor Parks Passport highlights ten fun activities found in parks that will improve the physical and mental well-being of our children, while they are having loads of fun, getting lots of exercise, and learning about the natural world around them.

The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights lists ten things that children can do to lead healthier lives and make a connection to the natural world. It states the every child should have the opportunity to:

1. Discover California's Past
2. Splash in the water
3. Play in a safe place
4. Camp under the stars
5. Explore nature
6. Learn to swim
7. Play on a team
8. Follow a trail
9. Catch a fish
10. Celebrate their heritage

The Health Connection

In making those ten discoveries, children are experiencing natural areas of greenery and forests, plants and animals, creeks, waterways and marine life and they are finding pathways to exciting and stimulating adventures. Why is this good?  The studies show that experiences in the outback, getting out of the fast paced, constant buzz of city life and into the peace and solitude of park settings, reduces stress and attention deficit disorders. In addition, the experience creates a physical exertion that combats obesity and it creates an excitement that encourages children to know more about the wonders of the natural world around them. 

Get Started!

Download and print the 12 page Passport Booklet found here. The first page is the introductory page giving instructions to both parents and children. On the following pages, one will find the 10 Rights and a listing of suggested parks for planning an outing.
 
Next, each child can personalize each of the pages with a reflection of their own personal experiences and adventures, adding such things as a photograph, story, drawing, a rubbing, artwork or other creative invention that portrays that particular experience.

You Did It!

When a child completes all ten of the discoveries, they can fill in and print their Certificate of Completion. Kids are also given a special email address on the Passport so they can write to us about their adventures. The program will run from April 1 through October 31.

For more information, contact Sonoma County Regional Parks at (707) 565-2041 or parks@sonoma-county.org