State parks inviting kids to trade screen
time for green time
By Stateline.org, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.23.15
Word Count 581
Russell Norris, 15, of Tylertown, Mississippi, dives into the chilly Swift River at Coos Canyon in Byron, Maine. The canyon
is considered one of the premier swimming holes in the United States. Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some states want to get kids to go play outside. They are offering
campouts and activities in state parks. The states want to get kids moving and teach them
that parks are important.
Experts say kids are hooked on technology. Kids spend about 7 hours a day with
electronic devices. They are watching TV and using computers and their phones. They are
playing outside less and less. Kids are not getting exercise, and the number of obese, or
overweight, kids has jumped recently.
Obesity in young kids has doubled in the last 30 years. Obesity in teens is 4 times what it
was 30 years ago. More than one-third of kids were obese in 2012.
Children Should Learn To Enjoy, Protect Nature
State parks officials say they have to get young people outdoors. Kids need to enjoy the
real world, said Lewis Ledford. He is chief of the National Association of State Park
Directors. Being outdoors will also teach kids to protect nature, said Ledford.
There are more than 5,000 state parks in the United States. They include wildlife and
historic sites.
The parks have been drawing more visitors in the last 4 years. However, parks are not
getting enough money from their states to pay their costs. Many parks have cut jobs or cut
hours and programs. Some have increased entrance and camping fees.
Our future leaders will not protect nature if they do not experience it, said Nita Settina. She
is a manager of the Maryland Park Service.
Make It Fun And Kids Will Come
If parks offer fun adventures, kids will visit, said Settina. Someday, they will bring their own
children, she added.
Parks in some states offer summer jobs for teens. They spend the summer working on the
parks and enjoying the activities.
Maryland parks have offered teens jobs for 8 years. This summer, about 300 teens worked
in the parks. They also spent part of their time canoeing, fishing and camping.
Most of the teens came from Baltimore or other city areas. Many of them were not familiar
with outdoor life. Some of them had never left their neighborhoods. It was the first time
many of them had seen the Atlantic Ocean or had been camping, Settina said.
“It’s one of the most important things we do. It’s also one of the most gratifying,” she said.
Campout Program Puts Families Under The Stars
Other states offer family campouts in their state parks. The program is called Capital
Campouts.
The governor of Delaware invited 10 families to a state park. They set up tents and
camped overnight. The campers learned about nature and roasted s’mores by the
campfire.
In New Mexico, the Parks Department trains teachers in state parks. Teachers learn about
water quality and how to spot insects and birds. They take their students to the parks for
lessons.
The program is trying to preserve the history of New Mexico, said Christy Tafoya. She is the
state parks director. She said the program teaches young people to appreciate the parks
and protect them.
Urging Kids To Plug Into Nature, Not Video Games
A whole generation of kids grew up with video games, said Ray Bivens. He is director of
Delaware State Parks. Those kids will not put down their devices and go outside, he said.
The parks need to have programs that teach kids outdoor skills, he said. "Being able to
identify a couple of stars in the night sky, they just love it."
Quiz
1
Which sentence from the article gives a reason why park officials want more kids to visit parks?
(A)
Maryland parks have offered teens jobs for 8 years.
(B)
They are offering campouts and activities in state parks.
(C)
State parks officials say they have to get young people outdoors.
(D)
Being outdoors will also teach kids to protect nature, said Ledford.
2
Read the section "Children Should Learn To Enjoy, Protect Nature." Choose the paragraph that
describes some problems parks are having.
3
What is the BEST summary for the section "Campout Program Puts Families Under The Stars"?
4
(A)
One park has a campout program called Capital Campouts.
(B)
Some parks offer jobs for teens during the summer.
(C)
More kids need to appreciate parks, or they will never care enough to
protect them.
(D)
Delaware and New Mexico are making efforts to get more families and
teachers to visit parks.
Which selection from the article supports the idea that going to a park is a new experience for
many kids?
(A)
If parks offer fun adventures, kids will visit, said Settina. Someday, they will
bring their own children, she added.
(B)
The parks have been drawing more visitors in the last 4 years. However,
parks are not getting enough money from their states to pay their costs.
(C)
Some of them had never left their neighborhoods. It was the first time many
of them had seen the Atlantic Ocean or had been camping, said Settina.
(D)
Teachers learn about water quality and how to spot insects and birds. They
take their students to the parks for lessons.
Answer Key
1
2
Which sentence from the article gives a reason why park officials want more kids to visit parks?
(A)
Maryland parks have offered teens jobs for 8 years.
(B)
They are offering campouts and activities in state parks.
(C)
State parks officials say they have to get young people outdoors.
(D)
Being outdoors will also teach kids to protect nature, said Ledford.
Read the section "Children Should Learn To Enjoy, Protect Nature." Choose the paragraph that
describes some problems parks are having.
Paragraph 5:
The parks have been drawing more visitors in the last 4 years. However, parks
are not getting enough money from their states to pay their costs. Many parks
have cut jobs or cut hours and programs. Some have increased entrance and
camping fees.
3
4
What is the BEST summary for the section "Campout Program Puts Families Under The Stars"?
(A)
One park has a campout program called Capital Campouts.
(B)
Some parks offer jobs for teens during the summer.
(C)
More kids need to appreciate parks, or they will never care enough to
protect them.
(D)
Delaware and New Mexico are making efforts to get more families and
teachers to visit parks.
Which selection from the article supports the idea that going to a park is a new experience for
many kids?
(A)
If parks offer fun adventures, kids will visit, said Settina. Someday, they will
bring their own children, she added.
(B)
The parks have been drawing more visitors in the last 4 years. However,
parks are not getting enough money from their states to pay their costs.
(C)
Some of them had never left their neighborhoods. It was the first time
many of them had seen the Atlantic Ocean or had been camping, said
Settina.
(D)
Teachers learn about water quality and how to spot insects and birds. They
take their students to the parks for lessons.