Governor Quinn Proclaims June "Leave No Child Inside" Month in Illinois

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed June as “Leave No Child Inside” month in Illinois, and encouraged families to spend time outdoors enjoying recreation opportunities, activities and events throughout the state.

“Following the harsh winter, our beautiful state parks and natural areas are great places for children to re-energize, get outdoors and get active,” Governor Quinn said. “We want to ‘Leave No Child Inside’ because children who spend time outdoors can have fun, get needed exercise and learn about the importance of protecting the natural wonders here in Illinois.”

As part of “Leave No Child Inside” month, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and partner organizations throughout Illinois will host a variety of activities and events in June and throughout the summer to encourage children and families to spend time outdoors.

“Events such as Illinois Free Fishing Days, and simple family activities like a hike on a nature trail in a state or local park, are great alternatives to being glued to a video game controller or bored by TV shows all summer,” IDNR Director Marc Miller said.

The “Leave No Child Inside” initiative was launched in 2007 to get more children outside and to increase the amount and quality of time they spend outdoors. The initiative is intended to promote outdoor activities as fun and healthy ways for families to spend time together, while helping improve health and fitness and curb child obesity.

Families are encouraged to check with local and regional parks, recreation agencies and youth organizations for information on local outdoor activities during the summer months.

A number of June “Leave No Child Inside” events and activities coordinated by the IDNR are listed below:

June 6-9
Illinois Free Fishing Days
www.ifishillinois.org

June 7
Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, IL, 10 am – 4 pm
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R4/PRM/PMTwo_Rivers_Fish_Fair.htm

Kids Fishing Derby, Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton, IL, 9:00 am
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/calendar/Pages/KidsFishingDerby(WeldonSprings).aspx

Kids Fishing Derby at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, IL, 8 am
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/calendar/Pages/KidsFishingDerby-CrabOrchardNWR.aspx

Kids Fishing Derby, Oakwood Bottoms/Shawnee National Forest, Grand Tower, IL, 7:30 am
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/calendar/Pages/FishingDerby-ShawneeNationalForest.aspx

June 7-8
Youth/Women Wingshooting Clinics, Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Wilmington, IL,
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/wingshooting/wingshootinghome.htm

June 10-12
A Taste of Archeology for Teens, Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL, 8 am – 3:30 pm
www.museum.state.il.us/events

June 14
Youth/Women Wingshooting Clinic, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Chandlerville, IL
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/wingshooting/wingshootinghome.htm

Owls Program – Hunters of the Night, Cache River Visitor Center, Cache River State Natural Area, Cypress, IL, 1-3 pm
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/calendar/Pages/HuntersoftheNight-Owls.aspx

June 14-15
Lockport Canal Days, Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, Lockport, IL
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/calendar/Pages/LockportOldCanalDaysFestival2014.aspx

June 15
More than Bows-N-Arrows Father’s Day Event, Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL
www.museum.state.il.us/events

June 17-19
Nature Adventure for Kids, Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL
www.museum.state.il.us/events

June 21-22
Youth/Women Wingshooting Clinic, St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club, Elburn, IL
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/wingshooting/wingshootinghome.htm

June 21
Celebrate the Summer Solstice, Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL, 6-7:30 am
www.museum.state.il.us/events

Hike for Your Health, Beall Woods State Park, Mt. Carmel, IL, 10 am – Noon
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/calendar/Pages/HikeForYourHealth21JUN2014.aspx

Memorial Open Water Swim Benefit, Lincoln Trail State Park, Marshall, IL
http://my.mhaus.org/events/event_details.asp?id=421311&group

June 25-26
Nature Explorers Camp for Kids, Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL
www.museum.state.il.us/events