Health - Every Kid Outdoors BY INDIA NIELSEN BARFUSS
What is the Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative? In 2019, the Utah Legislature
unanimously passed “Concurrent Resolution Supporting Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative,” which highlights research that shows time outdoors is beneficial for kids (and adults!). This resolution says the Legislature and Governor “recognize it is critical for the well-being and development of Utah's children that we promote a healthy, active childhood filled with outdoor experiences for Utah's children.” Because of that legislation, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) administered a one-time (2020) grant from the Legislature to support outdoor youth programming. This includes facilitating an EKO passport program with 10 free or low-cost outdoor activities that any kid can enjoy, regardless of background or ability. Any kid who completes the passport will win a prize. The Utah OOR also established Every Kid Outdoors advisory committee whose mission is to encourage kids, families, and schools to get outside and engage in outdoor recreation, connect with nature, and understand the mental and physical benefits that come from spending time outside. This group consists of 19 people who work statewide in fields ranging from land management, healthcare, after-school programming, to higher education, and more. WHY DOES IT MATTER? + Time outdoors — as little as 20 minutes at a time — has been shown to have positive effects on your physical, social, and mental health. + You can experience health benefits by simply being
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in an outdoor space like a park, even if you just sit on a bench. + Time outdoors benefits all people. It has been shown to decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and even cortisol (stress hormone) levels. + One study found improved self-esteem and mood within five minutes of exercising outdoors, with the greatest self-esteem improvements in youth. + Other studies have found that when kids learn and play outdoors, it can improve their problem-solving skills, creativity, and performance in reading, writing, math, and science. + Learning and playing outdoors can help youth improve their relationship skills and reduce stress and anger. PASSPORT PROGRAM Utah has an EKO passport program with 10 free or lowcost outdoor activities that any kid can do, regardless of background or ability. Any kid who completes all 10 activities can send their passport to the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and receive a prize donated from a local outdoor company. Go to page 30 for an EKO passport or download the passport (with instructions on how to turn it in) at business.utah.gov/outdoor/eko. We currently have passports in English and pasaportes en Español. WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES ON THE PASSPORT? + Observe nature and wildlife in Utah. + Explore Utah's parks, public lands, and wild places. + Experience The Greatest Snow on Earth. + Gaze at the starry sky. + Bring along a friend to discover nearby nature. + Splash in Utah's rivers, lakes, and streams.
