More young people get a chance to enjoy the Sun

Straits Times 25 Sep 10;

MORE children will get out and about to enjoy nature, with two new schools joining the Special Projects To Understand Nature Club, or Sun Club, for young people with special needs.

They and existing members will also get a chance to do more hands-on nature activities.

Joining the club this year are the Asian Women's Welfare Association and Delta Senior School.

Some 1,200 young people aged five to 18 will take part in the nature appreciation programme this year.

Gardening hub HortPark is the newest venue the children can visit. Aside from getting up close to nature, they will also try their hand at gardening in nature reserves, weeding and coastal clean-ups.

The Sun Club will continue to organise such activities as observing plants and animals in their natural habitats at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves and East Coast Park, and handicraft sessions for the children.

At the club's fifth anniversary celebration yesterday at the wetland reserve, Singapore Press Holdings Foundation chairman Tony Tan said: 'We hope that through this programme, the children can step out of their homes and schools to explore the great outdoors.'

The club was set up in 2006 by the SPH Foundation, the National Parks Board and the Garden City Fund, which promotes conservation efforts in Singapore.

More than 13 schools have taken part in the Sun Club to date.

Dr Tan was later presented with a homemade patchwork quilt by representatives from the schools.

Garden City Fund chairman Leo Tan said children with special needs should be given the chance to experience nature with their own hands.

'We do not want to just create awareness of nature in these children; we know they can also take on things that are hands-on, like horticulture and clean- ups,' he said.

The holistic activities are in line with the club's belief that respect for nature goes hand in hand with respect for human beings, regardless of disabilities or challenges, he added.

IN TOUCH WITH NATURE

'We hope that through this programme, the children can step out of their homes and schools to explore the great outdoors.'

SPH Foundation chairman Tony Tan