In neighborhoods without a usable park or playground, the incidence of childhood obesity increases by 29 percent. Darell Hammond childhoodincidenceincrease Change image and share on social
A cultural shift is needed to incorporate exercise into our children's daily lives. Darell Hammond childculturaldaily Change image and share on social
As parents, we need to send our kids back to 'old-fashioned' outdoor summer camps, which have been on the decline as the demand for sports and academics-based camps has risen. We need to fight budget cuts to public parks programs and resist closures of public swimming pools and playgrounds. Darell Hammond academicbackbase share on social
Our country's growing obsession with organized sports isn't just hurting our children, but also our communities. As play is siphoned off to gyms and fields, fewer kids are playing in our streets, parks, and playgrounds. Darell Hammond childcommunitycountry share on social
Given that the biggest rise in childhood obesity rates are occurring in children ages 3 to 5 years, we must modify our efforts to place an emphasis on prevention versus intervention. Darell Hammond agebigchild Change image and share on social
In an era of parental paranoia, lawsuit mania and testing frenzy, we are failing to inspire our children's curiosity, creativity, and imagination. We are denying them opportunities to tinker, discover, and explore - in short, to play. Darell Hammond childcreativitycuriosity share on social
I was raised in a group home for 14 years, so I was a beneficiary of philanthropy. I didn't have a family. The nameless, faceless strangers were my family. They gave me an education, put food on the table and clothes on my back. I am who I am because of that formative experience. Now I am paying it forward. Darell Hammond backbeneficiaryclothe share on social
I hope my organization will not be around in 10 years, because at a national, state, and community level, we will have evolved into a society that cares about children and the need for play. Darell Hammond carechildcommunity Change image and share on social
We're taking sports too far and starting kids too early. Darell Hammond earlykidsport Change image and share on social
Growing up in a group home, and with an undiagnosed learning disability to boot, the odds of success were not on my side. But when I joined the high school football team, I learned the value of discipline, focus, persistence, and teamwork - all skills that have proven vital to my career as a C.E.O. and social entrepreneur. Darell Hammond bootcareerdisability share on social