Children and the outdoors topic of Augusta conference

AUGUSTA – Getting Maine kids into the outdoors and restoring a healthful balance of nature in children’s lives is the subject of the Governor’s Conference on Youth and the Natural World, to be held at the Augusta Civic Center on Oct. 2.

Gov. John Baldacci will open the conference, which will bring together parents, government officials and leaders in the fields of education, health, child development and outdoor recreation.

The event is open to the public.

Keynote speaker Larry Selzer of the National Forum on Children and Nature and chief executive officer of The Conservation Fund will address children’s decreasing interest in nature and participation in outdoor activities. Public health experts say the trend is fueling an obesity epidemic and threatening children’s physical and mental health.

The conference will give participants the opportunity to learn about efforts to increase kids’ participation in outdoor activities and how those successes can be replicated in their own communities.

A highlight of the conference is the premiere of the Maine Outdoor Youth Movie Festival, which was designed for kids to express, through film, why being outside is important to them.

Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for students, including a continental breakfast and lunch. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and registration is strongly recommended. To register and find out more information, go to www.take-it-outside.com, or contact Gale Ross at 287-5266 or gale.ross@maine.gov.