Children in Nature Task Force

Delaware’s “Children In Nature: Leave No Child Inside” task force originated in April 2010 and has met regularly in stepping up to the challenge of reconnecting children with nature. The task force represents Delaware’s commitment under Governor Jack Markell to the nationwide no child left inside movement, which has steadily gained momentum since publication of Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods” in 2006.

Delaware’s Children in Nature: Leave No Child Inside taskforce has been very active from the start, with committee heads holding almost monthly stakeholder meetings to discuss an array of approaches and to share perspectives that may better connect children with nature. Task force committees have focused on two main approaches: school-based and community-based education.

Several Delaware legislators have also championed the no child left inside mission by sponsoring supporting legislation in the form of Senate Concurrent Resolution No 20.  This measure solidified the full support of the legislature for the Leave No Child Inside taskforce and its supporting organizations – all striving to ensure that every Delaware child has the opportunities and benefits of exploring, growing, and learning from our state's natural environment.

Taskforce members have also participated in a regional roundtable in Shepherdstown, W. Va. and a follow-up meeting in Washington, D.C.  Both gatherings enabled the Delaware team to share environmental education plan status updates, collaborate on environmental priorities, and learn about new partnerships.

The Leave No Child Inside taskforce is in the final stages of developing an Outdoor Children’s Bill of Rights, and also close to finalizing its recommendation report. Both of these will be delivered to Secretaries of the Departments of Education and of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the two state agencies charged with guiding Delaware’s no child left inside initiative to fruition.

The taskforce’s future plans include assembling a committee of funding, marketing, and policy professionals called the Delaware 15, which will help promote and seek funding for the taskforce recommendations. More information about these topics can be obtained by emailing Delaware’s Leave No Child Inside contact, Matthew Ritter, or by calling Delaware State Parks at (302) 739-9221.

The Children in Nature: Leave No Child Inside task force has taken earnest and enthusiastic steps to research and develop the best ways to reconnect children with nature. The dedicated individuals on the taskforce are working with recommendations toward the goal of bringing outdoor experiences and learning to Delaware’s children.  From their commitment and the collaboration between the Department of Education and DNREC, it is the task force’s vision that No child will grow up without positive outdoor experiences, all families will have access to green spaces – our children will reconnect with the natural world in meaningful ways and there will be no child left inside!