5
Get Outdoors!
Some days—like when you’re sick, or
the rain is pouring down—you just don’t
want to go out. If you CAN get outside,
though, it’s a really good idea to go.
These are just some of the reasons why:
1
You need sunlight.
Too much sunlight is
harmful, but everyone
needs a little. Sunshine
causes your body to produce
vitamin D, which helps you
get chemicals called calcium
and phosphate from food.
These make bones, teeth,
and muscles grow strong.
3
Being active makes you
smarter.
Being outside usually
means you are being active. For
example, you might decide to go for a
hike, build a shelter, or go on a hunt to
photograph wildlife.
Several investigations have shown
that students who get physically fit
usually start to get better grades:
Their memories improve
Their brains start to make
connections in new ways
They can concentrate better
2
Being outside
might make you
see better.
One
scientific report says
that for every hour you
play outside, you are
2 percent less likely
to need glasses.
4
Being outside makes good
friends.
When you and your
friends do challenges such as
camping out, or even fun, simple
things like going for a picnic,
it makes your friendships
stronger. It also helps
you learn how to
work with
others.
Safetyoutside
Part of the fun of being outside can be
getting away from grown-ups. This is
fine—as long as your grown-ups:
know where you are
have said it’s OK
Staying in is not an option
Staying indoors and gaming is fun—but it
won’t accomplish many of these things.
