OR Faces the Ultimate Challenge: Screen-Free Week

Will Oregonians rise to the challenge and ditch the video games for hiking shoes?

This is "Screen-Free Week," an annual event to prompt people to turn off computers, television sets, video games and those communication devices many of us carry everywhere - and actually converse with each other. But how many Oregonians would consider that punishment instead of personal progress?

Screen-Free Week is also an effort to encourage families to get outdoors for fitness and recreation. And Rob Klavins, a wildlands advocate who coordinates the hiking program for Oregon Wild, says nature is not so bad - once you get used to it.

"Folks can be used to being overstimulated by all those toys and gizmos, but really, I think there's a deep-seated part of us that wants to connect with wild places and wildlife. And so, I think that being out on the trail, being away from the TV, can be a good thing for everybody, whether you're a kid or a kid at heart."

Oregon Wild schedules nature walks and hiking trips throughout the state, as well as bike trips. They're free, and many are for families and beginners. (Find the schedule at www.oregonwild.org.)

Klavins, who also leads some of the hikes, has learned that even those kids who show up at the trailhead with earbuds, iPods and cell phones come around eventually.

"I think people are surprised to find out just how much they enjoy it. You know, I personally find myself often forgetting until I actually get out there on the trail, how great it is to be in a place like Oregon."

Dana Friedman, president of the Early Years Institute, says while the focus of Screen-Free Week is children, it's up to parents to set an example to prevent families from turning into couch potatoes with no social skills.

"We've all had the experience of walking into a restaurant and seeing Mom on her BlackBerry, texting, and Dad on the cell phone, and each of the kids has some electronic device now. They sit down at the meal and nobody talks to each other."

Friedman says Screen-Free Week aims to help young people balance their interest in technology with getting out and spending time with others. And even if you can't go completely "screen-free" this week, the goal is to make people more aware of the time they spend physically inactive, staring at screens.

More about Screen-Free Week is at bit.ly/gwBBaY.