About Us

At Big Gumdrop Outdoors (BGO), we are driven by an urgent reality: too many children are growing up disconnected from nature, with serious implications for their health, development, and futures. The Place Matters maps developed by the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln reveal that neighborhoods with the highest Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) face significant challenges, including higher poverty rates, larger concentrations of minorities, and being medically underserved. These systemic barriers disproportionately limit access to safe outdoor spaces and programs that encourage physical activity and foster a connection with nature.

​

National data further underscores the urgency of addressing these disparities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2023 Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health highlights a sharp rise in youth anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, driven in part by excessive screen time and social media use. Similarly, the Hopeful Futures Campaign reports that in Nebraska, approximately 24,000 youth experienced a major depressive episode in 2022, representing 15.5% of all students in the state. Research from the Child Mind Institute demonstrates that outdoor activity can effectively combat these challenges, offering benefits such as reduced anxiety, improved focus, and better physical health outcomes. However, for many children, particularly those in underserved communities, access to safe and enriching outdoor spaces remains limited.

​

The impact of excessive screen time on youth cannot be overstated. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that children ages 8-18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens—amounting to a staggering 114 days per year. This overreliance on digital devices in youth has far-reaching consequences. Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlights that increased social media use among children is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, inadequate sleep, low self-esteem, poor body image, eating disorders, and online harassment. These findings emphasize the urgent need for accessible opportunities that encourage physical activity, foster resilience, and nurture a healthy connection with the world around them.

​

At BGO, we envision a future where every child has the opportunity to connect with the outdoors and each other, addressing the challenges of disconnection, inequity, and inactivity with purpose and action. Through afterschool clubs, summer programs, and community events, we meet kids where they are and provide the tools and opportunities they need to explore nature safely and confidently. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, building a healthier, more resilient community for generations to come.