"Go outside and play!"

Is it just me or does it seem like we don't hear that enough any more?

As the weather warms up here in my hometown, I get so excited because this is the ideal time of year to enjoy all the benefits of warm weather, beauty in nature, and socializing with friends and neighbors.

It's been proven that unstructured play is essential to a child's growth and well-being.

And we know the benefits of recreation - especially outdoor recreation. In fact, being outside enhances the benefit of regular exercise and keeps kids from turning into a "health time bomb" by living sedentary lifestyles.

But are they spending enough time outside? There's no question that today's children know plenty about computer games, the Internet, and downloadable music. But do they know how to play hopscotch, have examined a spider web up close, or have they ever caught a frog?

This summer, encourage your children to discover the joys of building a tree fort, playing whiffleball, and chasing fireflies. It'll be a summer they'll always remember.