Take me camping …

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There is a saying that if you want to teach a man to build a ship, don’t drum into them the mechanics of wood and nails, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea (Antoine de Saint-Exupery).

I worry sometimes how we are going to pass on the hard work of protecting, restoring and saving our green earth when today’s children are so disconnected with nature. “Instead of passing summer months hiking, swimming and telling stories around the campfire, children these days are more likely to attend computer camps or weight-loss camps.”, says Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder “As a result", he adds, "they've come to think of nature as more of an abstraction than a reality”

So, how do we get the kids out of the house?

Small Step: A green hour a day – For one hour a day, kick the kids out of the house for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This can take place in a garden, a backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play. The National Wildlife Foundation have created a web site around this concept, www.GreenHour.org where families can learn and explore their outdoor experiences and backyard adventures. Also, check the resource books below for great ideas on nature activities.

Medium Step: Plan a family nature walk – Scott Pardue, a National Park Service ranger gave excellent tips on getting the best experience: what to pack in your backpack, where to go, what to do. Click here for his article. My own experience: make sure the kids are well-rested, well-fed and the venue has lots of things to see, hear, smell and touch.

Big Step: Finally – and you should guess I would end up here – take them camping. Camping is the perfect way to introduce kids to nature. In fact, adults who have a love of nature often had their earliest experiences while camping.

See you outdoors.

Helpful Resources
	Nature-deficit? What a brilliant term coined by the author of this beautifully written book. First sentence: "IF, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, we tramped through forests of Nebraska cottonwoods, or raised pigeons on a rooftop in Queens, or fished for Ozark bluegills, or felt the swell of a wave that traveled a thousand miles before lifting our boat, then we were bound to the natural world and remain so today."
	'Fess up.  Can you really tell a millipede from a centipede? What I love about this book is that it is full of clear line drawings of these things in nature so this city mom can actually sound smart and authoritative to her kids.
	This book is pure magic and delight. Open it in a dark bedroom, and your children will see the stars shining brightly right in their own room with this glow-in-the-dark introduction to the night sky.
Other Resource Links www.GreenHour.org www.ChildrensNatureInstitute.org Tips for Family Nature Walk