DARLINGTON — Local mom and former elementary teacher Kendra Johnson is on a mission this summer to get families back outside.  

“SIMPLE STEM: Getting Kids Outside” is a free online series of activity ideas accessible to anyone in the community. Every Friday, Johnson will be providing a free and easy outdoor STEM activity for families to try at home. 

“The goal of this program is to get kids away from the screens and back outside. This is a challenge every community is facing right now,” Johnson said. 

The program starts with a short YouTube video showcasing a fun educational activity and then asks families to put the devices away for a while and enjoy quality outside time together. 

“Every parent in the nation right now is reminded of how precious our time with our kids is, but sometimes when we do step outside all we hear is ‘I’m bored! I want to go watch TV.’ This program is a way to start where the kids want to be (on YouTube) and transition that into a fun, educational activity in the fresh air.” 

Each video also includes free printable PDF activity overviews and a free printable nature journal.

Contact Kendra Johnson at Kendra.Renee.608@gmail.com for further information. A new activity idea will be posted every Friday from now until Labor Day.