Summer Camps

I recently learned about the 1000 Hours Outside project. I wanted to share information about this project and other outdoor initiatives with our Lynchburg Macaroni Kid families and offer 10 ways to spend more time outdoors in the Lynchburg area.

Here at Lynchburg Macaroni Kid, we promote outdoor play and share many family-friendly outside events in our event calendar. From our Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Parks Guide, events created by Lynchburg Parks & Recreation and other local parks and recreation departments, to local running events and more, our website and calendar offer outdoor fun for children and adults of all ages and a variety of indoor events and activities too. 

You might wonder what th3 1000 Hours Outside project is and why you should care. Here’s the thing – compare how much time your child spends outside with how much time they spend in front of a screen and you’ll understand how this movement began.

From the 1000 Hours Outside website, “1000 Hours Outside is a global movement designed for any age child (or adult) and any environment. Join the journey and watch your life transform before your eyes. Nature holds tremendous power for each and every one of us at any age or stage.”

According to the 1000 Hours Outside website, the average American child spends 1,200 hours a year in front of screens. That’s a lot of screen time! Some say that estimate is lower than reality.

We all know that it’s much healthier to stay physically active at any age, but it’s also easier to be physically active outside. Kids are full of energy and outside is the perfect place to expend some of that energy.

According to the American Psychological Association, “spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.” ·

In a survey conducted between October 2008 and May 2009, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that kids ages 8-18 spent an average of 7.5 hours in front of a screen for entertainment each day, 4.5 of which were spent watching TV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends kids get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Being physically active improves your brain health, emotional well-being, helps manage weight, strengthens your bones and muscles, and reduces your risk of depression and anxiety.

You’ll find a graphic about the health benefits of physical activity in children on the CDC’s website. 

Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside project,…