Boone
by Budd
Glassberg
Reprinted
with permission from the
Into The Woods
“Healing the broken bond between our young
and nature is in our self interest, not only because aesthetics or justice
demand it, but also because our mental, physical, and spiritual health depends
on it. The health of the Earth is at stake.” – Richard Louv
When asked to write a column revealing the good and bad points of Sports Camps, my initial reaction was that Sports Camps indulge our children in more of something in which they already spend too much time. While recognizing that Sports Camps do have their place and can be beneficial to some children, I am overwhelmingly convinced that the majority of children going to these camps are the ones who least need the additional physical activity. By sending their children to these camps, parents are sending the wrong message to their offspring. We are telling them to specialize at an age when they should be getting more balance in their activities. If camp is where a parent wishes to send the child, I would recommend sending the child to a nature camp.
Most nature camps are located in the woods where children may explore the natural world around them. These camps provide hikes to acquaint the child with the flora, fauna and critters of the world around them. The child attending such camps will get physical activity as well as an appreciation for the woods. This point is very important because our children will one day be the stewards of these shrinking natural areas. Without spending this kind of time in their youth in the woods, our children will be less apt to work to preserve this nature for future generations.
If, as parents, we value our child’s skill at dribbling a soccer ball over teaching them the wonders and importance of their natural environment, we have failed in our own responsibility to raise the awareness of the next generation. In his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv describes a condition linking our separation from nature to an ignorance of local flora and fauna, and a loss of respect for nature and the living world. The book further explains some reasons why the current generation of children is less apt to play outside and explore nature. The author sites research that providing our children with hands-on experiences with nature can reduce ADHD, anxiety and depression in children.
Nature camp may provide the child with unforgettable experiences which may include fishing, bird watching, star gazing, plant and animal identification, and campfire stories. Connecting your child to his natural world provides a more satisfying experience for him than sinking a free throw or hitting a home run. Sports are with us and will remain a focus with our young, sometimes taking on too great a place in their lives. Nature is more fragile and is, unfortunately, taking a back seat to our society’s driving desire to overdevelop. If we can foster a nature child reunion by sending our children to nature camp, perhaps we can stimulate their desire to learn more about their environment. Since protecting and sheltering their surroundings will someday be their responsibility, exposing them to the natural world is the least we can do.
Budd Glassberg is a resident of Zionsville who is active in the local running community. Visit www.runz.com for reprints of all his columns. You can reach him by email at budd@runz.com.