Louv falls short in address the barriers to inner-city children from accessing nature. If Fairmount Park is within walking distance from many of Philadelphia's children, why aren't they using it? Perhaps there have not been any good examples set on how to use the park, or they feel that it could be unsafe. I know that in elementary school and middle school, I really enjoyed white water rafting and hiking with my girl scout troop. These are things I would never have done on my own, with friends outside of girl scouts, or with my family. The most important aspect of Girl Scouts were knowledgeable and caring Group Leaders. There are several other organizations that are helping children explore nature and leave the city limits for the first time.
A few posts ago I mentioned the poverty seen along 33rd in Lower North Philadelphia. The image that remains in my mind is the school bus dropping off young children into run-down homes surrounded with the ailments of inner-city poverty: drugs, teen pregnancies, poverty, 50% high school graduation rate. Children growing up in this environment are disadvantaged in many ways. I alone cannot solve poverty or increase graduation rates to 100%, but I am able to set positive examples and encourage others to be an active part of their community.
Two organizations that I have learned about either from Dr. Stein or on my own is the Sierra Club's Inner City Outings in Philadelphia and Urban Blazers--a non-profit that partners with schools and other programs to allow children 6-18 to experience nature firsthand.
Urban Blazer's is having an open orientation next Monday, the 17th at 6PM in the Cira Center (the all-glass building behind the Amtrak Station). If you are interested in going, you need to send an RSVP to info@urbanblazers.org and we can go together.
Feel free to check out the links...
Sierra Club Inner City Outings--Philadelphia
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