“I wanna go outside!’ It’s the most common phrase heard at Adventure Central, a youth education center at Wesleyan MetroPark. Adventure Central is the result of a partnership between Five Rivers MetroParks, The Ohio State University Extension, and 4-H Youth Development. It engages urban youth by building trusting and positive relationships with caring adults for the purpose of connecting youth and their parents with nature.

Many adults can think back to childhood marked by playing outdoors for many hours everyday, something increasingly foreign to young people today. In fact, more youth are leading their lives “plugged in” to assorted electronics and structured by numerous activities, prompting the diagnosis of “nature-deficit disorder.” Five Rivers MetroParks has therefore identified the re-connection of youth with nature a key initiative.

Program opportunities at Adventure Central include structured and unstructured direct experience with nature, providing a well-rounded experience for youth. Experts believe that spending one hour a day outdoors in unstructured play is highly beneficial for all ages of youth and even adults. Research shows that nature play results in improved physical health, enhanced problem solving, and better academic scoring.

At Adventure Central, youth are encouraged to go outside and interact with the natural world. Youth have many choices for outdoor activity, from 4-square and jump ropes to honeysuckle forts and dirt piles. The young people are also encouraged to congregate around the water garden, interact with wildlife or pick and eat a variety of vegetables from the many raised beds at the facility.

Getting kids outside takes time and commitment. Most of the nearly 100 school-aged youth involved in daily programming at Adventure Central have participated for multiple years and have gradually increased their comfort level with the outdoor world.