Nature Explorer Backpacks/Mochilas de Explorador
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Brushwood Center and partners across Lake County are teaming up to provide 1,200 bilingual Nature Explorer Backpacks / Mochilas de Explorador to more than 1,200 youth and family members in Waukegan, North Chicago, Round Lake, and Highwood. The Backpack program, which began in 2020 as part of Brushwood Center’s COVID-19 response, provides families with tools for supporting physical and mental health amidst Lake County’s parks, preserves, and other natural areas. This year the Backpacks will be distributed at locally-organized events where families can engage in hands-on activities and nature walks, learn how to use the materials in the Backpacks, and gain confidence using these spaces.
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This year's Backpacks will include a Lake County Environmental Justice Coloring Book, nature field guides, art supplies, local mental health resources, and school supplies with all materials provided in English and Spanish. The Backpacks encourage families to explore the natural spaces around them through activities focused on nurturing wellness and creativity.
Contact our Director of Development, Mirja Spooner Haffner, to learn more at mspoonerhaffner@brushwoodcenter.org.
Contact our Director of Development, Mirja Spooner Haffner, to learn more at mspoonerhaffner@brushwoodcenter.org.
Project History
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Nature Explorer Backpacks / Mochilas de Explorador is a part of Brushwood Center’s It’s A WIN (Art and Wellness in Nature) program serving families from predominantly low-income households in Waukegan, North Chicago, Round Lake, and Highwood. These communities were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing disproportionately higher cases and deaths from COVID-19, more severe financial tolls, and significant mental health challenges.
The Backpack program began in the spring of 2020, as a result of Brushwood Center’s partners indicating a need for supplies and activities for families during the lockdown. Many of these families had to make difficult decisions when it came to budgeting, and purchasing supplies like backpacks became an extra burden. The Backpacks alleviated some financial burden and provided nature and art resources to help families access the health benefits that come with spending time outside and exploring creative outlets. 
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How it Works:
Partnership Coordination: Brushwood Center, who currently Chairs the Lake County Nature Network, is coordinating a collaborative of organizations contributing to this project. Partners agree to provide Backpack materials, volunteers or space for Backpack assembly, and/or sites and community networks for Backpack distribution. Current Partners include Lake County Forest Preserves, Waukegan Public Library, Mano a Mano, Foss Park, Cool Learning Experience, Lake County Audubon Society, and Round Lake Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. We plan to engage additional partners who participated in previous years including Foss Park District, North Chicago Library, Rotary Club of North Chicago, Cool Learning Experience, Round Lake Area Public Library, Family Service of Lake County, Highwood Public Library, Waukegan Park District, Windy City Harvest/Green Youth Farm, and Lake County Health Department.
Backpack Contents: This year’s Backpacks will include a community health- focused activity book, nature field guides, art supplies, local mental health resources, and school supplies with all materials provided in English and Spanish. We are also planning to add
items from our distribution partners’ wishlists, including: first aid kits, water bottles, binoculars, magnifying lenses, and more!
Distribution: Backpacks are distributed at locally-organized events where families can engage in hands-on activities and nature walks,
learn how to use the bilingual (English & Spanish) materials in the Backpacks, and gain confidence using these spaces. The
Backpacks encourage families to explore the natural spaces around them through activities focused on nurturing wellness
and creativity.
Impact: We anticipate that the 1,200 Nature Explorer Backpacks will reach at least 1,000 youth and family members in Waukegan, North Chicago, Highwood, and Round Lake. Backpack distribution will be tracked, including the number of people in each household who receive a Backpack, ages of children, and city of residence. Additionally, we will use surveys to measure outcomes at each distribution event including 1) confidence levels visiting nature sites as a family, 2) wellbeing outcomes affiliated with the nature activities, and 3) identification of additional outdoor activities that would most benefit youth and families. Lastly, we will conduct follow up interviews with all of our program partners to gain insight into how families used the bags beyond our initial events and to improve the project’s success in the future.
Backpack Contents: This year’s Backpacks will include a community health- focused activity book, nature field guides, art supplies, local mental health resources, and school supplies with all materials provided in English and Spanish. We are also planning to add
items from our distribution partners’ wishlists, including: first aid kits, water bottles, binoculars, magnifying lenses, and more!
Distribution: Backpacks are distributed at locally-organized events where families can engage in hands-on activities and nature walks,
learn how to use the bilingual (English & Spanish) materials in the Backpacks, and gain confidence using these spaces. The
Backpacks encourage families to explore the natural spaces around them through activities focused on nurturing wellness
and creativity.
Impact: We anticipate that the 1,200 Nature Explorer Backpacks will reach at least 1,000 youth and family members in Waukegan, North Chicago, Highwood, and Round Lake. Backpack distribution will be tracked, including the number of people in each household who receive a Backpack, ages of children, and city of residence. Additionally, we will use surveys to measure outcomes at each distribution event including 1) confidence levels visiting nature sites as a family, 2) wellbeing outcomes affiliated with the nature activities, and 3) identification of additional outdoor activities that would most benefit youth and families. Lastly, we will conduct follow up interviews with all of our program partners to gain insight into how families used the bags beyond our initial events and to improve the project’s success in the future.
