Grand Canyon 2018. Photo by Sofia Crutchfield.

MPS Gives to National Park Service Initiative for Children

We all know that children who spend time outdoors are healthier and do better in school. But these days, with budget cuts in public education and more and more time spent on “screen time” as opposed to “green time,” there is an epidemic of inactivity among America’s youth. As a result, we see rising rates of obesity and other issues. Most at risk are children from underserved, urban communities.

So this June, when warm weather beckons us out of our shelters, MPS consultants selected Open OutDoors for Kids, an initiative of the National Park Foundation, as the recipient of our monthly $500.00 donation. Consultant, Sofia Crutchfield, nominated this worthy organization, remarking, “I have always had access to nature and national parks growing up via summer camps and family vacations, which was a huge privilege. Not all kids have that privilege, but they should.”

Open OutDoors for Kids introduces and exposes children to outdoor experiences that promote physical and emotional health, civic engagement and long-term appreciation for nature. Using the spectacular and unparalleled resources of our nation’s more than 400 national parks, the program’s goal is to connect more children to their culture and heritage, enhance hands-on learning opportunities and deepen connections to the natural world. We at MPS salute the good work they do.