Switching off and getting out in nature is set to help families connect with each other and their environment. Photo: Kiama Unplugged.
Kiama families will get out and about to explore the great outdoors at an event that will help the community connect with nature and experience the joy and excitement that can be achieved without screens.
Kiama Unplugged and Grounded Education have teamed up to introduce local parents and their kids to the outdoor opportunities on their own doorstep, with the first Spring Walk promoting the benefits of nature play and ways to interact with the environment.
Exploring the nature trails from Jerrara Dam, the adventure is set to encourage children to engage in their surroundings.
“We’ve got a few activities, like we’ll be doing a scavenger hunt on the way with a magnifying glass and things in nature that we’ll be keeping an eye out for,” Grounded Education co-creator Steve McGee said.
“We’ve got some crafts, some songs we’ll be doing as well and just really think the emphasis on no screens and just really drawing on that mindfulness where you can take it all in and not be distracted by something else.”
Kiama Unplugged Founder Jane Bourne said the event would help parents take that step towards supporting children with less screen time and alternative ways to play.
“Connecting in community in real life is so important, but you can’t be what you can’t see,” she said.
“Perhaps a family has never gone for a nature walk, and perhaps they feel like there’s too many boundaries or they’re nervous, so having an organised thing might help them.”
She acknowledged how difficult it could be to take away a screen or device that a child found joy in, even if parents had their best intentions at heart.
With social media age restrictions coming into effect at the end of the year, it is now the time to start finding other ways to bring that same level of enjoyment.
“Let’s say a child is used to having access to a screen, maybe it’s Kids Youtube for a younger child, and you’re trying to reduce that or remove that; you’ve got to replace it with other things that give that child dopamine,” Jane said.
“So being out in nature, running around, roaming free, exploring, challenging yourself, that’s going to give that child that dopamine in a much better, healthier way.”
The Unplugged movement has been gaining momentum in Kiama, as more people engage and learn about the benefits of switching off, and, in particular delaying giving young children smartphones.
“When we originally launched we obviously got the naysayers saying it was too late and the ship has sailed,” Jane said.
“But you know what, we used to smoke on airplanes, we used to not wear seatbelts; I do believe that you can make big changes.
“I’m not saying it’s easy, I’m not saying it won’t take time but I refuse to believe that we have to stick with what has happened.”
Ditching the devices for the outdoors is something Steve and his wife Shanae have become particularly passionate about after seeing the impact nature play has had on children in the community after starting up Grounded Education a year ago.
“There are lots of kids that are made for the outdoors and that and they’re obviously in their absolute element but it’s also great when there’s kids who start who might be a little bit reluctant to get dirty or get messy, to take those risks climbing a tree or using tools, and then you see them days and weeks later and the feedback from the parents that they can see the change from that one day,” Steve said.
“They can see them at home wanting to go outside and do different things and they can see that holistic change just from them coming out of their comfort zone and trying something a little bit different outdoors.”
The Spring Walk is set to provide a snapshot of what they offer, and Steve said that whether it’s rain or shine, there’s still fun to be had.
“We had such a wet winter and it doesn’t slow the kids down at all – they’ve got their raincoats on, their gumboots on and they’re just going about doing all these great activities,” he said.
“It’s great because no two days are the same when you’re outdoors.”
The Spring Walk is Sunday 19 October from 9:30 am, with tickets free of charge or available with a donation to Kiama Unplugged to help the momentum of their mission continue, but registration is mandatory for numbers.
To book, visit the Spring Walk event page or to find out more about Kiama Unplugged and their events or Grounded Education, visit their websites.
