Nature Play to get Sunshine Coast kids outdoors

Sunshine Coast children will be on a mission to find the 15,000^th Nature Play passport with a ‘golden ticket’ as they switch from screen time to green time through the Queensland Government’s Nature Play initiative. 

Minister for Recreation and Sport, Steve Dickson said the Government wanted to encourage young Queenslanders to have fun and healthy outdoor childhoods, delivering on the election promise to revitalise frontline services.

“The response from kids and parents around Queensland to this new program has been phenomenal with 15,000 passports issued to kids around the state so far,” Mr Dickson said.

“It’s part of our strong plan for Queensland, creating a better and brighter future for children and their families.

“Bob and Terri Irwin have been terrific supporters of the Nature Play concept so the ‘golden ticket’ includes a family pass to Australia Zoo for one lucky participant.”

Mr Dickson said the Nature Play program included more than 200 outdoor ‘missions’ that children could tackle to improve their fitness while learning more about the natural world.

“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,” he said.

Member for Caloundra, Mark McArdle said Nature Play was a fantastic program to encourage families and kids to get outside.

“Activities and adventures which encourage our local kids to get outdoors and active across the Coast have my backing,” Mr McArdle said.

“There are many great ways to enjoy the Sunshine Coast’s beautiful outdoor locations.

“Nature Play is a fun and affordable way for parents to keep their kids busy be it spotting whales and the wreck of the SS Dicky along the Caloundra Coastal Walk or swimming in the Kondalilla Falls rock pool.”

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] 4 July 2014                

Contact: Michelle Buckworth 0418 433 647