Visiting scholar encourages children to go outside

November 2007

Former National Park Service director and current Clemson visiting scholar Fran Mainella is working through the University and her park services connections to enhance park experiences for everyone — especially children.

Earlier this year, Mainella served on a Newsweek panel and was featured in the magazine on the importance of getting children out of the house and into the outdoors.

“We’re seeing a generation grow up without an understanding of the outdoors, without an appreciation for nature,” she said.

Borrowing from the well-known name of a federal education law, she urges families to Leave No Child Inside.

“We know that it’s good for a child to be exposed to nature,” Mainella said. “Children who spend time outdoors are healthier, they’re less likely to be obese and they have fewer problems with attention deficit disorder.”

In 2001, she became the first woman to serve as director of the National Park Service. She served until late 2006 and then joined the Clemson faculty in the parks, recreation and tourism management department.