(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Pumpkin Patches are now open across southern Colorado, and it’s the perfect time to get your kids outside and engaged with nature. Chris Aaby from Generation Wild and Maury Peterson from the Catamount Institute joined FOX21 Morning News on Tuesday, Oct. 14, to talk about the powerful possibilities of a pumpkin patch.

Generation Wild was created by Great Outdoors Colorado a decade ago to encourage kids to get outdoors and involved in nature. “We all know that spending time outdoors feels good and the research really backs that up,” said Aaby. “Spending time in nature can reduce stress. It can increase physical activity, which makes kids healthier and happier.” Aaby said research also shows spending time in nature helps kids focus, increases their curiosity about the world, and helps them become better learners in the classroom.

Catamount Institute leads the local Generation Wild Coalition and offers free or reduced-price programs to help get kids outdoors. “We have 13 different programs,” said Peterson. “We have summer camps, field trips, in-school programs, after-school programs, homeschool programs, you name it, we try to meet the needs of the community.”