There was a time ... when children playing outside, climbing trees, wading in ponds and creeks and hiding in tall grass fields, was a common occurrence, especially in summer. They left home in the morning, returned for a quick lunch, often eaten outside, and then returned to the woods, fields and ponds until evening voices called them to supper.

In those special places they saw insects, birds and mammals. They fought brambles, swatted mosquitoes and even got dirt under their fingernails.

There was a time ... when children knew their home range well. They created special names, the crooked tree, three pines and the cow field and all the kids in the neighborhood could direct you to these places, not with street names but by a variety of natural markers. They drew maps that marked hidden treasures or a secret rendezvous, identifying all the creeks, trees and hills along the way.

There was a time ... not long ago!

Today, children spend less than 30 minutes a week in unstructured outdoor play. The total range for children playing and wandering outdoors is one-ninth of what is was for current adults.

Much of this reduction is due to competition from electronic media, structured sports and activities and the concerns of parents letting kids roam free unsupervised.

Ask a child to draw a map of their area and most would be able to identify few natural landmarks beyond their backyard.

"It is clear that unstructured outdoor and nature play today is becoming less and less relevant to children," said Raymond Rustem, community relations manager for the Department of Natural Resources Office of Communications.

The loss is being felt in many places and in many ways.

Attendance at National Parks has declined 25% since 1987. Hunting and fishing license sales have declined across the U.S., including Michigan.

From a health perspective, childhood obesity has increased from 4% to over 20% since 1960. More and more children are being treated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Perhaps the most significant impact is yet to come.

Sociologist Louis Chawla has studied what influences a person's decision to become active in natural resources conservation. Through numerous interviews he identified "positive childhood experiences" in the outdoors as a key factor.

If the outdoors continues to decrease in relevance and today's children do not obtain the positive nature experiences, how can we expect them to care or make choices and decisions that support good conservation? From where can we expect tomorrow's conservation leaders to come?

The DNR is recommitting itself to change this trend. At the heart of the department's conservation education program are nine visitor centers, located at seven state parks and two state fish hatcheries across the state. These facilities have, over the years, provided excellent opportunities for nature-related experiences and have touched the lives of countless children and adults.

A recent expansion of this effort involved activating state park explorer guides who are stationed each summer at 41 state parks. They have increased the department's ability to provide more informal interpretive activities and outdoor experiences to children and parents visiting our state parks. Many of these sites also offer Fishing in the Park from mid-June through mid-August. The program is offered every Tuesday at most parks, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Recent legislative changes reduced the age requirements for first-time hunters and established an apprentice hunting license. Both are intended to provide increased opportunities for young hunters.

Age limits have been viewed as an impediment to recruiting new hunters. By age 12 or 14 most kids have established their routines and made decisions about their recreational choices. The apprentice hunter license allows a youngster the opportunity to hunt with a mentor prior to taking a hunter safety course.

Thousands of kids get the opportunity to go fishing, shoot a bow or air gun each year during the Michigan State Fair in Detroit and the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba when they visit the DNR "Pocket Park." Although operation of these facilities originally was limited to the dates of the fair, more programs now are being offered throughout the year.

Michigan State Parks launched its "GO-Get Outdoors" campaign to encourage more people to visit and enjoy the state's unmatched system of state parks and recreation areas. Whether it's a weekend festival or a single evening program, there's always something fun to do. Events range from October harvest festivals to Free Fishing Day activities.

This month, the DNR is getting ready for "No Child Left Inside Days," a six-day event that begins on Earth Day. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed a proclamation designating April 22-27 as days to commit getting children outside.

"We are asking kids to make a commitment to spend one hour each day in the outdoors," Rustem said. "This generation is one of the first where we have seen a significant drop in kids' outdoor activity."

Rustem said research has connected outdoor activity with improved creativity, sensory skills and problem solving.

"Now is the time to mend the child-nature connection," he said, "but parents need to get involved as well. Kids need mentors to encourage and participate in outdoor activities."

To get more kids outdoors, all of the DNR's visitor centers will be offering school programs April 22-25 with the state park entrance fees being waived for the school busses.

"We expect to have more than 1,200 students participate in events at the visitor centers," Rustem said.

The visitor centers also will be hosting weekend family activities April 26-27. Kids and their families can participate in a kids' fishing event at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, go on a birding tour and see a recycled materials fashion show at the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park or attend special outdoor programs at Ludington State Park.

The DNR also has created an Outdoor Pledge card for children. The card will be handed out at the visitor centers or it can be printed from the DNR Web site.

Youngsters who sign the card and keep track of their outdoor time can request a copy of "Nature News," a kids' publication with information about Michigan's natural resources.

For more information on activities or to see the governor's proclamation, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. Click on Education and Outreach to find the link to No Child Left Inside Days.