Leave No Child Inside
December 2025
Pictured: Wren Works founder Dr. Adams and Golden Twig Award recipient Gov. Bob Taft
A highlight of the summit was the presentation of the Golden Twig Awards, given to leaders who made lasting contributions to children’s access to the outdoors. This year, both Gov. Bob Taft and Gov. Ted Strickland were recognized for their enduring, bipartisan support of Ohio’s children. In presenting the awards, an organizer remarked, “Both governors advanced policies that put kids first. Their leadership created the conditions for today’s movement to thrive. This is a moment to honor that legacy.”
Throughout the day’s workshops—ranging from unstructured nature play to equity in outdoor access—participants shared practical tools and powerful reminders of why the work matters. One facilitator summed up the spirit of the summit: “Every child in Ohio deserves a daily dose of nature. Our job is to make that not optional, but inevitable.” Jennifer Adams led an impromptu session with other interested educators about the interconnectedness of Nature, Kids, and Literature. Session participants shared their favorite titles to use with children and families, many titles from the recent Blueberry Award winners.
The summit closed with a renewed sense of shared purpose. “We are building on a legacy of leaders who believed in Ohio’s kids,” an attendee reflected during the final circle. “Now it’s our turn to carry that forward—to make sure every child grows up connected to nature and to community.” Wren Works is in talks with the Greater Cincinnati Division of LNCI initiative to become a strategic partner and leader of this collective.
The Leave No Child Inside Summit, held on September 26, brought together educators, community partners, and outdoor-learning advocates for a day devoted to expanding children’s access to nature. The event blended strategy, storytelling, and celebration—highlighting both the present-day movement and the decades of policy leadership that helped shape it.
Early in the program, speakers reflected on the deep roots of Ohio’s commitment to children’s well-being. One panelist reminded attendees that “the momentum we’re building today stands on years of bipartisan work to center kids—especially their right to learn, grow, and play in healthy environments.” She noted that Governor Bob Taft’s administration strengthened early learning, community partnerships, and education reform, creating essential groundwork for outdoor learning to flourish. “Gov. Taft helped us understand that children's learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door,” another speaker said. “Nature belongs in the picture.”
Later, participants honored the contributions of Governor Ted Strickland, whose focus on whole-child development and comprehensive school reform further aligned with the statewide children-and-nature movement. As one educator shared, “Strickland’s commitment to wraparound supports and family engagement paved the way for building outdoor experiences into the heart of community learning.”
Put Books in the Hands of Children, Families, and Educators
Across all our programs, Wren Works has seen firsthand the power of books to inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy, and build lifelong learners. This year, we aim to expand book distribution to:
Children attending camps and family literacy events
Educators participating in professional learning workshops
Families building home libraries at the Lebanon Food Pantry