Palmy Dirty 30 Event

Get your gumboots on and enjoy the great outdoors this winter!

The nights may be drawing in, but that’s no reason to go into hibernation mode. New Zealand’s great outdoors is stunning whatever the weather and here to be enjoyed all year round. The successful summer edition of the Palmy Dirty 30 challenge inspired families to get outside, have some dirty fun and explore the wonderful Manawatu. We’re now ready and set for lots of winter adventures. We double dare you to complete the Palmy Dirty 30 challenge this autumn and winter. Are you tough enough to join us?

The Palmy Dirty 30 autumn/winter challenge consists of thirty fun free things to do in the great outdoors around and about Palmerston North. Don’t be sad if you don’t live in Palmy though, there is also a cleverly named “Not Palmy” version that can be completed anywhere. There is no age limit and the founders truly believe that growing older is no excuse for growing up. The list includes catching raindrops on your tongue, searching for glow worms and racing through long muddy puddles.

If you’re dressed appropriately, there’s no such thing as bad weather. There are lots of amazing wild areas right on our doorstep here in New Zealand and there is no time like the present to discover them. Don’t let a spot of rain put you off. Like the Palmy Dirty 30 on Facebook to see how and where others are completing the challenges and get more great ideas for free fun.

The challenge is aimed at encouraging more families to get outdoors more often, with a number of serious messages behind it.

Kids playing outside with other kids whatever the weather used to be the norm. But in only one generation, something seems to have changed. Kids are now spending increasing amounts of time inside. Especially when it is cold and raining outside. A recent study, led by Dr Scott Duncan at the Auckland University of Technology, shows the current State of Play in New Zealand1. Childhood has changed significantly since many of today’s parents grew up in the 1970’s and 80’s. It is not just happening here in Aotearoa; it is happening throughout the Western world.

It doesn’t have to be this way though. A bit of old fashioned family fun could be all that is required. Unstructured, outdoor play is important for both children’s development and the future of the environment. By getting our children outdoors, whatever the weather, they have a laugh, take risks and exercise without even noticing it. We need to bring up children that are resilient, prepared for the NZ climate and that see beauty in the changing of the seasons. We need to cultivate our children’s sense of adventure and instil an appetite for nature and exploring. The next generation has significant environmental issues to address. If they grow up feeling connected to nature, they may just have the passion and drive to tackle these problems successfully.

Don’t let the Palmy kids have all the dirty fun. Find the Palmy Dirty 30 on facebook, twitter and instagram. Print off a challenge sheet, put your gumboots on and head outside!

ENDS

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