A film that highlights the lack of time that children are spending outside and some of the obstacles to enjoying outdoor play is the subject of a film being shown in Aboyne next week (Monday 10th March).
Project Wild Thing – a film by David Bond – aims to come up with creative and interesting ways of tackling the issue and encouraging more children to get out in the fresh air, play and enjoy the outdoors.
Screenings of Project Wild Thing have been taking place throughout the UK to rave reviews and now it’s the turn of the Cairngorms National Park – probably the best outdoor playground there is!
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has bought the rights to show the film with the first free event happening at the Aboyne Community Theatre at 7pm next Monday. There will also be free screenings in Perthshire in April and in the Aviemore area in May.
Alan Smith, the CNPA’s Outdoor Learning Officer said: “It’s sad to think that children don’t play outside as much as they used to and it’s a combination of factors, from keeping our children safe to the rise in technology that encourages us to stay indoors. Project Wild Thing is inspiring and we hope it will encourage debate around the issue.”
CNPA board member Katrina Farquhar, who will be attending the screening along with representatives from Aberdeenshire Council said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the film having read some of the reviews. I think it’s probably an issue that is more relevant in our big towns and cities but I don’t think we can be complacent. Encouraging outdoor play has so many benefits from improving our children’s health to encouraging a love and respect for the countryside.”
Watch a trailer for the film here http://projectwildthing.com/ or for more information on the Wild Network go here http://projectwildthing.com/thewildnetwork