Outdoor Opportunities for Children
Here at HMCC, we utilize outdoor activities to allow children the chance to interact with nature and explore their surroundings. We would use funding to train and support families on simple ways to get children outside and supplement our existing outdoor activities with field trips and special programs.
About You
Section 1: You
First Name
Lynette
Last Name
Martin
Website URL
Organization
Hunger Mountain Children's Center
Country
United States, VT
Section 2: Your Organization
Organization Name
Hunger Mountain Children's Center (HMCC)
Organization Website
Organization Phone
802-244-5544
Organization Address
123 South Main Street
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Organization Country
United States, VT
Your idea
Name Your Project
Outdoor Opportunities for Children
Country and state your work focuses on
United States, VT
Describe Your Idea
Here at HMCC, we utilize outdoor activities to allow children the chance to interact with nature and explore their surroundings. We would use funding to train and support families on simple ways to get children outside and supplement our existing outdoor activities with field trips and special programs.
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
Our idea is unique because it is at a small, community level, it involves children and families, and it strengthens the high level of child care that we are able to provide. Our idea may not impact thousands of people, but the level of impact it will have on the families and children that we serve will be fantastic. We will be able to offer more support and information to families that are seeking it. We will also be able to provide even more exciting and dynamic opportunities to the children that we serve.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
No
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Our current impact has been small, since our idea is in the planning phase. We at HMCC are passionate about the importance of getting children outside and try our best to encourage families to do the same. In today's world, however, families are finding it harder and harder to get kids outside. Whether it be technological distractions, fear, or lack of family owned play spaces, family routines are often based on indoor activities and scheduled, supervised play dates. With funding, we can turn our simple encouragement into support and help bring about more change.
Problem
The primary problems that our innovation is addressing are the following:
Limited support and training for families on the importance of getting children outside
Simple ideas on how to incorporate outdoor activities in everyday life
Education and support on dealing with safety concerns
Budget constraints of Early Childhood Education
Providing field trips to variety of outdoor experiences (farms, nature trails, state parks, orchards,
etc) that can not be funded through existing program
Bringing in speakers, animal and reptile programs, story tellers and other specialists that can
expand on knowledge of nature and surroundings
Actions
Currently, we are in the planning phase. Because our idea is on the simpler side, we don’t see many constraints to the success of our idea. Judging by comments and questions from families, there is already an interest in trainings and support. Also, the children look forward to special events and programs, especially if they involve the outdoors.
Results
Describe the expected results of these actions.(150 words or fewer) Overall, we hope to increase the outdoor opportunities for the children in our care – whether through activities at the center or with their families. By offering training and support to families, we hope to give them the confidence and education they need to include outdoor activities in their every day lives. By providing more opportunities at our center, we hope to give the children even more, exciting ways to experience the outdoors and surrounding environments.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Year one: funding through Changemakers, family interest, and existing opportunities will be needed. Through basic research, we know that there is interest and opportunities. Year two and three: we would need continuing funding to remain successful over three years. After we had one year under our belt, we could expand to include other local child care centers in our ventures (which opens up more funding opportunities). Also, in the third year, if we needed funding again, we could point to the success of the first two years when looking for funding from local businesses and organizations.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
The main thing that could keep our project from being successful is funding. If we received funding initially through this grant, we could have at least one year to get an idea of what types of trainings and programs work best for our center. As we went to continue, if funding dropped off, we would have that first year of success as proof of our intentions while looking for other funding sources. We would also have a year of knowledge to work off of if we wanted to combine with other local child care centers to open up other funding opportunities.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
No
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Idea phase
In what country?
United States, VT
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Hunger Mountain Children’s Center
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
No
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
The three most important actions needed to grow our initiative are initial funding, setting up trainings and support for families, and scheduling appropriate and enriching events for the children. Of these three actions, the one that is the most important is initial funding. Even though our idea is on the simpler side, the funding needed to get it rolling for one year would be necessary. The opportunities for expanding our support and activities are out there, we just need the initial funding to make it happen.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Seeing a presentation on “Nature Deficit Disorder” opened up my eyes to the constraints facing today’s families where outdoor activities are concerned. We are also fortunate to be involved in a community field trip opportunity for children to visit a farm once a year. The children at our center always really enjoy the event and look forward to it all year. The ability to offer more of these opportunities would be amazing.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Lynette Martin is the Executive Director of Hunger Mountain Children’s Center. Her two year’s as the center’s Executive Director have helped her grow as a leader. She is always looking for ways to strengthen and develop an already high quality child care center. Family support is a big part of Lynette’s vision as a Director. Lynette understands that working hand in hand with families is essential in providing high quality of care and education to young children.
Hunger Mountain Children's Center has played an active role in the Waterbury community for over 30 years. We work with children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years; participating with the local public school system to provide high quality preschool services to the community. HMCC is now involved in bringing about environmental change through participation in Green Up Days, initiating a school wide recycling program, using recyclables in classroom art projects, replacing plastic food sets with recycled real world objects, reducing paper usage through the use of email for written communication, and relying on the use of eco friendly cleaning products. The staff of HMCC also participate in environmental and social change themed trainings to learn new ideas.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Friend or family member
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
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