Why More GREEN and Less Screen Matters

When Olly first joined Barnacles & Bees, he was careful—maybe too careful.
With sensory challenges, the natural world could feel overwhelming. Mud felt icky, rain was unbearable, and even touching new textures brought anxiety. Most days, he watched from the sidelines—quiet, cautious, and unsure.

His parents worried. They knew he was missing out on the playful, messy, hands-on experiences that help children grow confident and strong. They also knew the pull of screens had only intensified, especially for a child who found the real world too overwhelming.

But nature has a way of meeting children exactly where they are.

Three years later, Olly is almost unrecognizable.

On a recent rainy afternoon, he ran ahead of the group with pure joy on his face. He smeared mud on his hands to camouflage for a game of hide-and-seek. He climbed over fallen logs, balanced on slick roots, and laughed as water splashed around him. He initiated play. He took risks. He led adventures.

He was no longer hesitant.
He was fearless.

His parents told us:

“We never imagined Olly would ask to get muddy, play in the rain, or climb trees. Barnacles & Bees helped him not just adapt—but thrive.”

The Power of More GREEN, Less Screen

Children today spend more hours in front of screens than they do playing outdoors. This shift affects everything—attention, behavior, sleep, mood, and physical health.

But time in nature can reverse that.

Outdoor immersion helps children:
🌱 Build strong bodies through movement and exploration
🌧 Regulate their sensory systems with natural, varied input
🌲 Improve mental well-being and lower stress
🌞 Increase resilience and confidence
👨‍👩‍👧 Strengthen family health by encouraging shared outdoor experiences

For children like Olly, green time isn’t just beneficial—it’s transformational.

Your Giving Tuesday Gift Makes Stories Like This Possible

Your support helps us create programs where children can unplug, unwind, and reconnect with the world—and with themselves.

This Giving Tuesday, your generosity:
💚 Expands access to nature-immersion programs for all children
🌿 Supports tuition assistance so no child is left INSIDE
🌦 Provides opportunities for children and families to explore year-round
🌳 Helps children replace hours of screen time with movement, creativity, and wonder

When you give, you help another child step into the forest, take a deep breath, and discover what they’re capable of.

2025 Giving Tuesday

By Barnacles & Bees

2025 Giving Tuesday

More GREEN, Less Screen