Nature Play to get Cairns kids outdoors

Cairns children are switching from screen time to green time with the launch of the Queensland Government’s Nature Play initiative at Our Lady Help Christian Primary School today.

The Nature Play program includes more than 200 outdoor ‘missions’ that children can tackle to improve their fitness while learning more about the natural world.

“We want young Queenslanders to have fun and healthy childhoods,” said Minister for Recreation and Sport Steve Dickson.

“Nature Play is a fun, easy way to help parents keep their children occupied through basic activities such as climbing, running and walking – from the humble backyard to our national parks,” Mr Dickson said.

Member for Cairns, Gavin King said Nature Play is a perfect program to encourage families and kids to get outside.

“Activities and adventures which encourage our local kids to get outdoors and active across Far North Queensland have my backing.

“Nature Play is a fun and affordable way for parents to keep their kids busy be it climbing a tree in the local park or building sand castles down on the beach.”

“Cairns and the surrounding areas are famous for their beautiful outdoor locations. Getting kids outdoors early in life can unlock a world of adventure into the future.

The Queensland Government has committed $1.5 million to the Nature Play program over the next three years, delivering on its promise to revitalise frontline services.

To encourage kids to participate, the program includes ‘passports’, a missions website, home diaries for school-age children and special Nature Play events.

Queensland Outdoor Recreation Foundation executive officer Murray Stewart said Nature Play was an exciting initiative.

“Our mandate is to develop the opportunity for outdoor recreation in Queensland and Nature Play will see Queensland kids given the encouragement and the resources to discover nature, and themselves,” Mr Stewart said.

Mr Dickson said the Queensland Government was pleased to support initiatives designed to help children get active.

“The Newman Government is committed to getting more young Queenslanders involved in recreation and sport and we are delivering with programs such as this, as well as our $47.8 million Get in the Game sport initiative,” he said.

[ENDS] 2 July 2014                

Contact: Michelle Buckworth 0418 433 647