Resources for Parents

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources appreciates your family’s commitment to spending time outdoors.

Please make use of these valuable resources as you discover the excitement and diversity of our natural world.

What is Explore the Outdoors?

Explore the Outdoors Ohio is a comprehensive program developed to provide adults with an easy guide to lead Ohio’s young people into the outdoors so that they may enjoy the benefits of the natural world. It provides a selection of outdoor activities that adults and children can enjoy together and rewards young people who complete the activities.

Tell Others about Explore the Outdoors

If you find this program exciting and valuable, chances are others will as well. Download the Explore the Outdoors program summary and post it to your MySpace, Facebook or other social networking sites. Click to download

Explore the Outdoors Instructors Guide

Packet contains a variety of activities that educators can do with youth click to download

Explore the Outdoors Codes

Did you complete an Explore the Outdoors activity, but were unable to find the activity code? Click here to download the codes for 2010/2011.

Nature Clubs and Families Tool Kit

Families are taking the initiative and creating their own local nature clubs for families. The clubs go by different names and take slightly different forms, but they all offer accessible, easy, low- (or no-) cost fun, family-oriented activities outdoors. To find out how to start a Nature Club in your area, click here.

Find Explore the Outdoor Events

All events and locations are kept up to date here.

Explore the Outdoors in the Media

Explore the Outdoors is making headlines. To read articles about the program, events and how it is making an impact on Ohio children, click here.

Statistical Summaries

Active Living Research, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Childhood obesity stats and facts, National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions

Studies and Research

Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, The Outdoor Foundation
Kids Picking TV over Trees, The Nature Conservancy

News Reports

Remember ‘go outside and play?’, LA Times Commentary
Fears Keep Children Indoors, BBC
No Outdoor Play Hurts Children, BBC
Young Not Allowed Out to Play, BBC
Child Obesity is at Crisis Point, ESPN
Childhood Pastimes Increasingly Move Indoors, USA Today
As Childhood Obesity Rates Rise, Youth Outdoor Participation Declines, Medical News Today
Hyper-Parenting, Little Time for Nature, TVOParents.org