EDITOR'SNOTE

When I was a child, I spent many a days playing in the backyard or at the neighborhood park. Today's kids, sadly are overscheduled, overloaded with technology, and spend little, if no time, outdoors with nature. A growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts. Children who regularly spend unstructured time outside: play more creatively, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD, have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment.

The National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org) recommends that parents give children ages 5-13, a "Green Hour" daily - a time unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This "Green Hour" can take place in a garden, backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play with nature and the outdoors. Inside this issue is a special editorial section on how to nurture a love of nature in your child. This section is an offshoot of the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour campaign. The section was produced in cooperation with Parenting Publications of America, an organization of regional parenting publications of which this magazine is a member, and with the National Wildlife Federation. A majority of the features in the section were generated by Massachusetts-based writers, but bonus features provided by the Federation, including a kids' page from its magazine Ranger Rick, will be posted throughout the month on Bay State Parent magazine's Web site (www. baystateparent) and/or its blog.

macdonald One great place to experience nature is Davis' Farmland. The popular Sterling attraction is offering free admission for dads on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17. Davis Farmland is one of scores of local venues offering free and discounted admission for dads (and granddads). Moms, consider planning an outing for the family at one of these events. Turn to page 26 for the complete list.

Finally, Happy Father's Day!

Today's dads, in my opinion, are more involved in their child's lives and are truly making a difference. More dads are driving their children to school and picking them up. More dads are opting to reschedule their busy work days to attend school plays. I've seen more dads attending important events in a child's life, beyond sporting events.

Writer Lynn Jolicouer takes a look at the Changing Face of Fatherhood inside this issue. She focuses in on a special group of men, who through foster care and adoption, became fathers. Read her uplifting and well-written report beginning on page 36.

Personally, I want to say thank you to my husband Rich.

Thanks for getting Bella up many a mornings, making her breakfast, and helping her get ready for school. Thanks for the days you help her with her homework, go bug hunting in the yard, and read animal bedtime stories to her. Thanks for bowling with her Daisy Girl Scout Troop, helping out at her school's Halloween party, and watching her tap dance through her recital! Susan Scully Petroni, editor editor@baystateparent.com