Why Splash is Important

Common sense and a growing body of scientific evidence suggest that time spent in nature is essential to the healthy development of children. Studies have shown that children who spend time playing and learning in nature tend to be healthier, less anxious, better able to cope with adversity, and more cooperative than children who spend most of their free time indoors, focused on television or video games.

When surveyed, the vast majority of parents say they wish their children spent more time playing outside, but it can be hard to get kids into nature these days. Most of us live in urban areas where there is more pavement than soil, more street lights than trees.

Even if we are lucky enough to live near a natural area, gone are the days when we could shoo our children out the door, telling them not to return until the streetlights come on. The world has changed, but Splash is here to ensure that today’s children can still experience the wonder of nature exploration. 

Based at Mather Field, an island of open space less than 20 minutes from downtown Sacramento, Splash offers a safe way for kids to enter nature's outdoor classroom. At Splash, kids can learn about the world around them, spend time with caring adults, find out about careers in science, and learn how to take care of the environment. 

The future health of our environment demands that we raise a generation of children who are willing and able to protect it. At Splash we believe that people value what they understand and they protect what they value. With this in mind, Splash has integrated science education, child development, and environmental stewardship into programming that is fun and engaging for kids.

For more about how Splash benefits children, their families, and our environment, please view the pages below.