2012-Cairn September 2012: Outdoor Nation

Start Date-End Date: 09/22/2012-09/23/2012 Land Manager Office: CPW - Chatfield State Park Land Manager Contact: Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: VOC is happy to have you as a member of our Cairn Program. Cairns are piles of rocks placed by people on trails to indicate the direction of the path to hikers and mark the mountain summit. Cairns show people the way as they travel in the outdoors. For us, Cairn will show you the way to get outside; learn about Colorado's environmental issues; and help take care, or steward, our public lands. Today, our group begins our year long adventure with the goal of leading our own environmental volunteer project in April 2013. This month we are partnering with Outdoor Nation (ON). In 2005, Richard Louv published a book title Last Child in the Woods. In his book Louv coined the term, "Nature Deficit Disorder" and use it to describe the growing divide between children and nature. The book raise awareness about the problems associated with too much time spent indoors, and people around the country took notice. They began creating projects and initiatives aimed at re-connecting children with nature. These movements were revolutionary and inspiring, but they spoke to young children and their parents. No one was speaking for those left in between - the Millennial Generation. In June 2010, the first Outdoor Nation Summit was held in New York's Central Park, with the support of a coalition of retailers, outdoor educators, and conservation groups. 500 delegates between the ages of 18-28, representing all 50 states, attended the summit. They left the two-day event committed to breaking down the barriers to the outdoors. During the Summit, Cairn will be amongst 250 youth (give or take) working together to find solutions to the challenges they are keeping people indoors. Over the weekend you will discuss outdoor barriers, brainstorm creative ideas, and even receive funding for the best and brightest projects?voted on by you and your fellow Summit participants. ON-Summits bring Outdoor Nation leaders, activists, and social entrepreneurs together for two days of intensive leadership development training. This training, provided by experts in the field, will give you the tools to grow and sustain your community action plans, projects, and organizations. You'll also have the chance to present your one-of-a-kind ideas and get a chance to just hang out with other outdoor leaders during the camping overnight. Description: VOC is happy to have you as a member of our Cairn Program. Cairns are piles of rocks placed by people on trails to indicate the direction of the path to hikers and mark the mountain summit. Cairns show people the way as they travel in the outdoors. For us, Cairn will show you the way to get outside; learn about Colorado's environmental issues; and help take care, or steward, our public lands. Today, our group begins our year long adventure with the goal of leading our own environmental volunteer project in April 2013. This month we are partnering with Outdoor Nation (ON). In 2005, Richard Louv published a book title Last Child in the Woods. In his book Louv coined the term, "Nature Deficit Disorder" and use it to describe the growing divide between children and nature. The book raise awareness about the problems associated with too much time spent indoors, and people around the country took notice. They began creating projects and initiatives aimed at re-connecting children with nature. These movements were revolutionary and inspiring, but they spoke to young children and their parents. No one was speaking for those left in between - the Millennial Generation. In June 2010, the first Outdoor Nation Summit was held in New York's Central Park, with the support of a coalition of retailers, outdoor educators, and conservation groups. 500 delegates between the ages of 18-28, representing all 50 states, attended the summit. They left the two-day event committed to breaking down the barriers to the outdoors. During the Summit, Cairn will be amongst 250 youth (give or take) working together to find solutions to the challenges they are keeping people indoors. Over the weekend you will discuss outdoor barriers, brainstorm creative ideas, and even receive funding for the best and brightest projects?voted on by you and your fellow Summit participants. ON-Summits bring Outdoor Nation leaders, activists, and social entrepreneurs together for two days of intensive leadership development training. This training, provided by experts in the field, will give you the tools to grow and sustain your community action plans, projects, and organizations. You'll also have the chance to present your one-of-a-kind ideas and get a chance to just hang out with other outdoor leaders during the camping overnight. Latitude/Longitude: 39.54159, -105.061586 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 12 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 66 Total Volunteer Days: 78 Total Unique Volunteers: 39 Total Volunteer Hours: 702 Staff Hours: 27 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: Students spent the days discussing the barriers to getting youth outside, figured out solutions, planned projects, and were awarded grants. Out of the 5 grants awarded, 3 groups with VOC members (mentors and/or students) were recipients. Students and mentors camped at Chatfield State Park on Saturday night where North Face athletes led yoga sessions, campfire talks, etc. It was a great first project to have them work together and get to know one another through designing projects and partaking in recreational activities together. Students/mentors also played games like Mafia, Psychotic, etc. late into the night!