by Cara McLauchlan, local writer and author of Joy Goggles

It’s about that time and you know it. The time for amazing fall weather that we get to relish like only North Carolinians can. With “Take a Child Outside” week happening September 24-30, we now have even more reason to do so.

But wait. Let’s think about that for a minute. Why does taking a child outside have to be only one week? With the fall weather approaching, I would hope that maybe it’s just a reminder that the outdoors is getting really beautiful. Or, better yet, that we are kicking off a new season of adventure and outdoor goodies like farm visits, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and tree fort building.

Whatever the fall season brings, my hope at home is that we think of the outdoors first. The showy wonder of fall reminds us to put down our i-thingies and do device detox for a little while.  I plan to go outside, breathe deep and remember that soon our days will be shorter and darker.  Outside time isn’t just a week, but an opportunity to store up some wonder for the winter ahead.

For more on “Take a Child Outside Week,” visit www.takeachildoutside.org.