Four of Victoria’s top alpine resorts will play host to hundreds of kids aged four to 12 and their parents from December 2015 to April 2016, pulling them away from screens at home and pushing them into Victoria’s pristine natural alpine environments. The Adventure Kids Festival, back for its third year, offers a wide range of activities and aims to encourage fun physical activity and a deeper connection with the great outdoors in Victorian families.
The adverse effect of too much screen time to a child’s wellbeing is well documented. American author Richard Louv coined the term ‘nature deficit disorder’ in 2006 to describe the link between the lack of time spent outdoors and limited connection with nature by children to behavioural problems, obesity, attention disorders and depression.
Although the Australian Health Department sets out guidelines recommending children over two years spend less than two hours per day looking at screens, a recent study by the University of Western Australia found that 45 per cent of eight year olds were exceeding this, a number which escalated to an alarming 80 per cent for 15-16 year olds.
At a time when children are experiencing far greater levels of screen time than ever before, the Adventure Kids Festival offers an opportunity for a technology detox for young digital natives. Children will have the chance to participate in a range of outdoor activities, learn new skills, and gain an appreciation for the outdoors.
Activities include trail running, obstacle courses, bushwalking, mountain biking, fly fishing, slacklining, bush art and craft, orienteering and geocaching. Parents are invited to watch and encourage their children as they participate, or even join in.
“In Australia we’re lucky to have such a beautiful natural environment and it’s imperative that the next generation learns to enjoy it,” said Event Organiser Grant Seamer.
“The Adventure Kids Festival is specially designed to get kids moving and away from their screens in a safe, fun and encouraging atmosphere,” he continued.
Just a 90 minute drive from Melbourne, the Adventure Kids Festival will kick off at Lake Mountain on the 5-6 December with accommodation available in the nearby town of Marysville.
The weekend prior to Australia Day on 23-24 January will see the Adventure Kids Festival take place at Mount Hotham where accommodation options range from bunk rooms to self-contained apartments.
Mount Baw Baw will host the Festival over the Easter long weekend on 26-27 March, just two-and-ahalf hours away from Melbourne by car. Accommodation options suit all budgets, from lodges to self-contained cabins among the snow gums.
The Festival will wrap up at Falls Creek on the 2-3 April. Families can stay the Falls Creek Village and choose from a wide range of accommodation venues.
NEED TO KNOW:
Adventure Kids Festivals
Lake Mountain: 5-6 December 2015
Mt Hotham: 23-24 January 2016
Mt Baw Baw: 26-27 March 2016
Falls Creek: 2-3 April 2016
Cost
One day entry: $75 per child
Two day entry: $125 per child
Adults can participate with no cost
To book, please visit www.adventurekids.com.au
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