ST. GEORGE — Families will have a prime opportunity to take a break from video games, screens and devices to enjoy interactive outdoor activities at the Third Annual Get Outdoors Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, at Tuacahn, located in Ivins at 1100 North Tuacahn Drive.

Devoted to reconnecting kids and their families with nature, the National Get Outdoors website highlights alarming statistics about kids and their lack of outdoor activities. Statistically, children spend 6.5 hours a day watching video screens and are “six times more likely to play a computer game than ride a bike.”

So is the goal of “Get Outdoors Day” too lofty in an age when users worldwide are immersed in a global ocean of smart technologies? How does nature stack up against Xbox One, PS4 or Wii U?

For the past two years, more than 700 participants enjoyed interactive and educational stations, where they learned rock climbing knots, survival skills, and enjoyed dozens of fun games and activities connected to the outdoors.

In collaboration with Tuacahn’s Saturday Market, this year’s event will include Red Cliffs Desert Reserve’s, “Herc,” the Gila Monster and live Desert Tortoises, “Tank,” and “Tater tot,” a Daytime Astronomy and telescope viewing with staff from Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument and kids will be able to make their own dinosaur molds and replicas with Grand Staircase Escalante Partners. Kids and families will also enjoy photo opportunities with BLM’s mascot Seymour Antelope hosted by the BLM Arizona Strip District and USFS mascot Smokey Bear hosted by Dixie National Forest.

Additional Go Day partners include the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, Pipe Springs National Monument, Second Nature Entrada and others.

Submitted by Bureau of Land Management

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