Many parents worry their kids spend too much time on screens. But when 12-year-old Varnit Rore noticed how screens were negatively affecting his own life and others’, he decided to take action.
On Tuesday, Rore was recognized by Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa and town council for founding the Nature, Play and Mind Club, a non-electronics club for children aged six to 14 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
He launched the club at the start of this year to encourage kids to spend time away from phones and video games.
Rore was joined at council by his close friend Skyler Gao, a fellow Ridley College student and the club’s “general knowledge ambassador.” Gao helps lead group learning and reading sessions.
The club now has 60 registered members across the Niagara Region, and up to 80 people — including non-members — attend its events. Most of them are from NOTL, Rore said.
His long-term goal? To see the Nature, Play and Mind Club grow nationwide.
“I really believe that this kind of club is good for kids and gets them to have real human contact and do things that are healthier than staring at a screen for hours,” he said.
Activities are designed to engage kids in screen-free experiences such as chess, nature walks, planting, and arts and crafts — which Rore said is his personal favourite. While events don’t follow a weekly schedule, they are tied to occasions such as Canada Day, organized walks, and arts and crafts contests.
According to Rore, the club has three main rules: “No going on your screens” (the most important rule); don’t be discouraged if you don’t do something well; and be yourself
Rore has long pursued a wide range of interests, including chess, rowing and taekwondo. But he said his performance in taekwondo began to slip because of screen distractions.
“I was very, very addicted to electronics,” he said. “My mom saw that. So, she was like, ‘Varnit, your taekwondo fighting is not going as well as it’s supposed to be.’ So she took away my electronics.”
One day, after turning down a friend’s video game invitation, Rore went to the park — only to find it empty. That moment sparked an idea.
“Kaboom, club was made,” he said.
His mother, Lipsica Rore, said the club began as a small gathering at the Niagara Falls Community Centre, where Rore, Gao and three others participated in activities like chess, art, and general knowledge discussions.
The club’s first full event was held at McBain Community Park in May. In August, it hosted another event at the NOTL Community Centre, attended by Zalepa, Coun. Adriana Vizzari and about 50 children.
“There was no marketing … it was all word of mouth,” said Varnit’s father, Vineet Rore.
Rore said the club is currently in its “middle stages.” He hopes to expand its programming with guest speakers, an art and knowledge contest centred around chess and, eventually, events open to adults.
He recalled one event where a withdrawn child came out of their shell thanks to the kindness of fellow club members.
“Two kids talked to that one kid and made him happy,” Rore said. “That’s something I’m so happy that happened.”
There is no cost to join the Nature, Play and Mind Club.
More information is available at natureplaymindclub.my.canva.site/dagnu7wtakq, or by emailing varnit.natureclub@gmail.com.
To register, visit forms.gle/VAruE7Tjc3gNZ2LQA.
