Project Get Outdoors, Inc.

10/14/2026

🎈🎈🎈
One hundred years ago today, on October 14, 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh was first published. Generations of children have curled up with Pooh, Piglet and the Hundred Acre Wood, and many of us still have a well-loved copy on the shelf. Happy 100th birthday, dear old bear.
Art: E. H. Shepard

10/14/2026

We've been hanging out at Silver Lake Park in Rochester the last two mornings to help with the Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile. 200 students from Riverside Central Elementary School paddled a canoe and had fun learning about local wildlife.

10/03/2026

Made a new friend down by Lake Winona.

09/25/2026

Hanging out on the Mississippi River backwaters this morning with students from Pine Island and University of Minnesota Rochester - Eco Literacy School.

09/23/2026

There are some great nature play areas in the Twin Cities!

Nature Playgrounds are a growing trend for good reason; scientists keep finding connections between nature to child development and well-being.

09/18/2026

Such a fantastic day yesterday, sharing nature with our friends at Riverside Central Elementary School - Rochester, MN ! We learned about pollinators, caught and tagged monarch butterflies, and made seed balls to help milkweed plants spread and provide food for monarch caterpillars. ❤️

You never know what outdoor experience might spark a lifelong curiosity and passion for nature observation. We may have a few future biologists among these students!

09/16/2026

Our friends with Head Start shared this concerning information regarding big changes the Federal Government is currently pursuing to Head Start. This incredible program helps many low-income families with young children prepare for school readiness and social connection. Voice your concerns before October 6th. More information below...

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has proposed significant changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and PICA is asking our community partners to consider submitting public comments.

Some proposed changes could reduce important federal protections and ultimately impact the quality and consistency of services for children and families for Head Start children and families nationwide.

A few key concerns include:

Higher child-to-staff ratios and larger classroom sizes, which could impact supervision, safety, individualization, and classroom quality.

English-only instruction, which could limit appropriate bilingual and home-language supports for children learning English.

Eliminating specific developmental and health screening deadlines, which could delay identification, referrals, evaluations, and early intervention services.

Removing specific oral-health requirements, including toothbrushing, as well as changes affecting mental health, disabilities, transportation, and other comprehensive services.

Your voice and professional expertise matter. You do not need to comment on the entire proposal. We encourage you to comment specifically on the areas related to your work and how these changes could affect children and families.

Comments are due October 6, 2026.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ACF-2026-0595

This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return...

09/16/2026

We just wrapped up a wonderful project with the Minnesota Department of Health! We coordinated two workshops for school nurses, social workers and support staff to learn simple ways to integrate nature-based wellness activities into their work. As part of this project, we created three short videos demonstrating nature-based activities that can be done in school settings.
Check out the videos on YouTube!

09/13/2026

https://www.conservationminnesota.org/crew

Conservation Crew is a student-led extracurricular school program for middle schoolers. Rooted in service learning, students develop leadership skills by designing and implementing conservation projects to impact their schools and communities. The program provides the support and resources students need to succeed.

Using a student-led model ensures participants learn about conservation issues that affect their daily lives and feel empowered to find solutions. Each Crew decides on its own interests and is given the resources to create a plan that fits its needs, including a $3,000 teacher stipend, connection to Conservation Minnesota staff, and industry experts. The hands-on learning model encourages students to research, understand, and ultimately take action to improve conservation initiatives in their communities.

Conservation Crew is a student-led extracurricular school program for middle schoolers. Rooted in service learning, students develop leadership skills by designing and implementing conservation projects to impact their schools and communities. The program provides the support and resources students....