The student-run Nature, Play and Mind Club is encouraging fellow young people to ditch their devices and enjoy what the outside world has to offer.

It hosted an art contest this Aug. 24 at the NOTL Community Centre with the theme “the Magic of Nature,” leading to many creative portrayals of the outdoors, ranging from whimsical drawings to pieces calling for environmental activism.

Twelve-year-old Varnit Rore founded the Nature, Play and Mind Club to create a space for kids to meet beyond the digital world.

“This club is about bringing kids out of their screens,” Rore said. “My mom does not give me any screen time, so I got creative.”

“I thought, ‘What if I make a club where people can get off their screens and play with each other instead of playing on their laptops and iPads?’”

The art contest included kids ranging from four to 17 years old. Each age group had a first, second and third-place prize.

One artist entered in the “Rising Artists” category was 13-year-old Kuhu, who turned her entry into a call for action.

“We should try not to litter on the Earth, protect it and also save trees from being cut down,” Kuhu said.

Other artists drew from their favourite parts of nature, such as seven-year-old Malina.

Her drawing included a cat, birds and flowers, and she said the inspiration for the imagery was what comes to mind when she thinks of nature.

Rore said the event was a success because of the number of kids who showed up to flex their creative muscles.

“From a small concept and turning it into a big community, it makes me feel so happy,” he said.

In addition to Rore’s leadership, the event was also organized by Skyler and Sophia Gao, ambassadors for the Nature, Play and Mind Club.

The idea behind hosting an art contest originated at a Canada Day event the club held, where Rore said he realized how much kids in town enjoy the arts.

“A lot of kids in Niagara-on-the-Lake love art,” he explained. “We went and did Canada Day, got lots of people, and then we thought, ‘Maybe we should do an art event.”

The first-place prizes were $100, the second-place prizes were $50 and the third-place prizes were surprise goodie bags.

As the school year approaches, the club seeks to continue advocating for connection beyond electronics.

“I want to see more kids in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s parks, that’s one of my biggest end goals,” Rore said.

“Another one is that instead of kids playing video games, kids connect with each other outside.”