Gyeonggi-do to Implement 'Forest Experience Learning' for Children in Care Facilities Starting November

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is conducting a forest experience event for children in care facilities within the province.

On the 25th, the province announced that starting in November, it will implement the "Children Growing Up in the Forest" project, linking forest recreation facilities for approximately 360,000 children in about 11,300 care facilities such as daycare centers, community child centers, and Dahamkke Care Centers across the province.

Through this project, the province will provide free access to 166 forest recreation facilities, including arboretums and forest bathing sites, for children.

In this process, the province will regularly provide information on forest experience programs to care facilities and develop and distribute customized forest experience programs for preschool and elementary school children.

In particular, to enhance children's ecological sensitivity, the province plans to continuously develop methods such as experiential learning and utilizing forest interpreters.

The province will encourage children using care facilities to participate in forest experience programs through city and county governments.

Care facilities wishing to participate can inquire about forest experience programs at nearby forest recreation facilities starting in November, make reservations, and use the programs.

A provincial official explained, "In Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland, forest-based education is highly valued for its effectiveness, and forest utilization education is widespread. Therefore, Gyeonggi Province is the first metropolitan local government in the country to directly link forest recreation facilities with care facilities, aiming to present a new paradigm of public care."

He added, "We especially expect that children living in confined spaces in care facilities will not only improve their physical and mental health through forest experience activities but also develop creativity, sensitivity, social skills, and establish a proper value system regarding the future environment."