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Fall time is a great time to be outdoors in Colorado and enjoy the natural world. It can be even more enjoyable to share the wonders of nature with your family. This weekend, September 26th–27th, marks the second annual No Child Left Inside Weekend in the Pikes Peak Region – a weekend that honors the importance of reconnecting our youth with the natural world. Recent research and books such as, "The Last Child in the Woods," have shown that connecting children with nature can benefit children physically, mentally, and emotionally.

On September 25th, 2009, there will be a free, kick-off event to No Child Left Inside weekend at the Ute Pass Cultural Center from 5:30pm – 8:30 pm. Local land agencies and outdoor organizations will be onsite with exhibits for families to learn about the activities you can participate in at their sites during the weekend and throughout the year.

In addition, Florissant Fossil Beds will be hosting a 1 hour premiere of the new Ken Burns documentary "The National Parks - America’s Best Idea". The 1 hour film is a preview of the six-part, 12-hour film that traces the history of the national parks system and the concept and value of preserving public lands for this, and future generations. Ken Burns is among the nation's highest-profile documentary film makers since his 2000 series The Civil War created a sensation and changed the way modern documentaries are made. His other films include Baseball (1994), Jazz (2001) and The War (2007). The National Parks film series includes what Burns believes is the most stunning cinematography in Florentine Films’ history.

Exhibits will be open from 5:30 – 8:30 with the premiere of the documentary at 7 PM. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.