Summer is here, and in a world increasingly shaped by handheld devices and technology, many parents and educators are searching for meaningful ways to get children outdoors—and, more importantly, to nurture a deeper desire to care for the lands and waters we treasure. Whether at camp, in the backyard, in a congregation’s garden, or along the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay, time outside offers powerful opportunities for growth and connection.

At IPC, we are helping faith communities and youth connect environmental stewardship with hands-on outdoor learning. Through programs focused on “creation care,” children and young adults are encouraged to see nature not simply as a place to visit, but as something precious to protect.

Creation care teaches that caring for the environment is both a shared responsibility and a spiritual value. For children, those lessons often begin through simple outdoor play—digging in a garden, watching butterflies, planting trees, collecting litter along streams, or exploring local wildlife. These experiences help foster a lifelong respect for nature.

Experts also note that time outdoors supports children’s physical health, creativity, and emotional well-being. When children spend time outside, they naturally become curious about how ecosystems work and why clean water, healthy soil, and thriving wildlife matter.

IPC works in partnership with congregations, schools, and community groups throughout the Chesapeake Bay region to promote environmental education and restoration projects. We encourage people of all ages to become active caretakers of local waterways and green spaces.

Parents can reinforce creation care at home through simple activities such as starting a small garden, organizing neighborhood cleanups, reducing waste, or teaching children about native plants and animals. Even playful activities like nature scavenger hunts or birdwatching can spark environmental awareness and curiosity.

As children learn to appreciate the outdoors, they also learn an important lesson: protecting creation begins with paying attention to it. By combining outdoor play with environmental stewardship, communities can help raise a generation that values both nature and responsibility—one muddy pair of shoes at a time.