Using this activity will help children identify summer foods that are healthy to consume and better for the environment. Encourage children to eat locally — check out the local farmers market if applicable at localharvest.org.

Eating the right amount of fruits and vegetables is an integral part of a balanced diet. It’s also important to consider what fruits and vegetables we are eating. When we eat foods in season, we are eating foods grown at that time of year. Eating in-season foods is fresher, tastier, and more nutritious. When we eat in the season, we support local farmers and ranchers, and most importantly, we reduce our carbon footprint or the item’s food miles. What is a food mile? It is the mileage over which a food item is transported during the producer to consumer journey, as a unit of measurement of the fuel used to transport it. For example, apples and potatoes are winter foods. The impact on the environment is greater when we purchase these foods in the summer.

Camping can be enjoyed year round. The National Wildlife Federation hosts the Great American Campout, a summer-long celebration exploring the wild outdoors through camping through October 31. Camping can happen just about anywhere — at a neighborhood, state or national park and even in your own backyard. This is a fun, easy way for family and friends to connect with nature and wildlife.

Today the average American child spends more than seven hours a day in front of an electronic screen, but as few as 30 minutes in unstructured outdoor play. Getting kids in nature is proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, and even lead to higher test scores. A child’s mind, body and spirit markedly improve in response to unstructured outdoor play.

MIND: Exposure to natural settings may be widely effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.

BODY: Outdoor play increases fitness levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in helping the one in three American kids who are obese, get fit.

SPIRIT: Nature makes children nicer, enhancing social interactions, value for community and close relationships.