TUESDAY, 21 JANUARY, 2020
Kiwi kids encouraged to pitch tents and earn medals this summer
With summer holidays underway, it’s the perfect time for kids to earn a Toyota Kiwi Guardians medal by enjoying a family
camping trip in New Zealand.
Launched in 2016 as a partnership between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Toyota New Zealand, Toyota Kiwi
Guardians aims to increase Kiwi kids’ connection with nature.
New Zealanders are increasingly living sedentary lives and spending more time on screens, meaning the connection to
nature within our future generations is under threat. Andrew Davis, Toyota’s General Manager of Marketing, says spending
time in nature allows children time away from screens, devices, and other digital distractions.
“Camping is the epitome of a digital detox and so many Kiwis take fond memories of camping and the outdoors into later
life. This summer there is no excuse for kids to be complaining of boredom – they can be out learning about their
surrounds and earning medals instead.”
Toyota Kiwi Guardians’ ‘Curious Camper’ medal leads children on adventures around the campsite area, encouraging them to
complete activities like star gazing, supervised campfire building, watching the sunset/sunrise, and listening to the
dawn chorus. ‘Sound Patrol’ is a highly advised activity – sitting still for five minutes to hear the different sounds
in nature, figuring out where each sound is coming from, and deciding what its origin is.
To claim their medal, children complete the form on the Toyota Kiwi Guardians website recounting their fun experiences.
Two weeks later, a medal will arrive in the post, rewarding children for their efforts.
Toyota Kiwi Guardians is about inspiring tomorrow’s leaders to protect our land and wildlife. Studies have also shown
there are strong positive links between direct experiences in nature and children’s mental, emotional and physical
health and well-being.
Mr Davis is delighted with how the programme has progressively gained momentum and is delivering on its promise – to get
kids outdoors and understand more about our environment.
“Like DOC, Toyota is passionate about making it easy for families to have great outdoor experiences and realise the
environment is worth protecting.”
DOC’s Education Manager, Anita Anderson, says Toyota Kiwi Guardians introduces children to a type of play that is
family-focussed and not dominated by technological devices.
“DOC has many amazing campsites right on the edge of some of Aotearoa’s most pristine beaches or scenic native reserves.
Toyota Kiwi Guardians gives kids fun activities to do while on holiday and helps them appreciate the natural world
around them at the same time.”
“If you can’t get away over the summer kids can still earn the Curious Camper medal by camping out in the backyard and
experiencing how your garden changes when the sun goes down.”
To find a full list of Toyota Kiwi Guardian action medal activities, visit www.kiwiguardians.co.nz
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