Free Range Kids

I love this blog called Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy. Her most recent post is "Up With Recess! (And Down with Homework)" and it talks about the added value of giving kids more time to play. For me, it's a practical blog with tips for making sure that your children, and adults for that matter, get outside and not be fearful of living.


It's a great pairing with the book by Richard Louv called Last Child in the Woods (Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder). His website is The Future's Edge and I highly recommend checking it out too.




In late 2007, I attended a meeting for the ACA (American Camping Association) and was yet again inspired by wonderful stories about how spending a week or a summer at a day camp or residential camp can really change lives. Both the campers and the counselors learn a lot about themselves, nature and about life. I wrote about that meeting here. I think it's critical for anyone interested in the outdoors to share their experiences with children and young people. There is more to life than TV, video games or Facebook.



If you are interested in working with kids and sharing your knowledge, please check out the Camp Jobs page. There are so many wonderful summer camps around the United States, each with a different focus like business, the performing arts, religion, outdoor recreation, some co-ed and some just for girls or boys, but they all have a significant impact on children. If you're still not sure what you want to do this summer and don't want to work at a resort, check out the camps. It may be the best summer job you ever have.

Need A Job? Can You Cook?

I know that I did a post about this last year too. It seems that if you have cooking skills, you can find a job pretty easily, and in great places too. Sharpen your knives and get your ingredients ready. Take a look at these currently open and summer job options for the chefs in the tribe.



Cooks - The Resort at Paws Up - Montana


Head Chef - Otter Bay Lodge Kayak School - California


Special Event Manager / Event Chef - Compass Rose Events - Maine or Tennessee


Cook - Baranof & Co. - Alaska


Cooking / Cleaning - Parker Guide Service - Onboard yacht in Alaska


Swing Cook - Stehekin Valley Ranch - Washington


Baker, Assistant Baker, Sous Chef and Cook - Club Getaway - Connecticut


Line Cook - DNC Parks & Resorts / Yellowstone General Stores - Wyoming


Assistant Cook and Head Cook - Summer Camp in the Northern Rockies - Wyoming


Head Chef and Cooks - Stehekin Landing Resort - Washington


Experienced Culinary / All Positions - Aramark Shenandoah National Park - Virginia


Head Chef and Cooks - Camp Lindenmere - Pennsylvania


Working Chef - Rainbow Lodge - New Mexico


Assistant Chef / Chef D'Partie - Cruise West - On Board a Ship


Kitchen Staff - 4UR Ranch - Colorado


Sous Chef and Prep Chef - Moose Head Ranch - Wyoming


Chef - Camp Menominee - Wisconsin


Line Cook - Lees Ferry Anglers/Cliff Dwellers Lodge - Arizona


Kitchen Manager - Zion National Park - Utah


Sous Chef - DNC Parks & Resorts Sequoia - California

For fun:


Find more summer jobs on CoolWorks.com.

Don't Let Your Child Be The Last One

Yesterday I attended the American Camp Association (ACA), Evergreen section educational event and annual meeting. At it I was reminded of the real beginning of my seasonal job roots. WAY back in 1988 and 1989 I spent two summers as a camp counselor for the YMCA of Everett, and if you have ever done this as a summer job, you know that it is more like play time than actual work. Granted today, I am sure that there are a lot more rules when it comes to the health and safety of children, but my experience was one where the kids got to learn things through play and I got to play right along with them.

There is a lot of talk these days about nature deficit disorder and the concept of No Child Left Inside. I must admit that I am not quite finished with Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, but I have read enough to know that he is on to something and that every adult ~ parents, aunts, uncles, pseudo-parents, teachers, caretakers of children ~ and anyone who wants to see this planet last for many more generations should spend a moment with a child in nature and let them discover that world with your support and guidance.

Personally I get scared that I do not know enough about plants or bugs or things to believe that I do not have anything to teach. But really, that is a silly, baseless fear. I was a kid. I have played on an empty dirt lot and know that what a fun time that was. And I can see how today that open space is being gobbled up by population growth and urban sprawl.

It makes me think about all of the "Friends do not let friends ________(name your poison)." In this scenario, friends of the earth should not let friends (and children) lose out on the chance to get outside and play.

So, here is your task for TODAY. Find a way to help a child get outside. Here are some ideas:

* Physically go outside with a child ~ yours, your niece or nephew, the neighbor kid(s), your students, your campers, some child ~ and tell them about something you see. For example, show them the leaves and tell them a little bit about the changing of the colors and falling leaves with the oncoming of winter.

* If you have property with space for kids to get outside, invite them to explore. There are initiatives being written to protect property owners from liability if it allows children to experience nature.

* Enroll your child in some camp, some where. This can be for a Saturday or a resident camp for a week next summer. Camps enrich the lives of children!

* Read the book Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv and tell your friends about it. Pass it along when you are done. Spread the word.

Lastly, if play isn't a good enough reason for getting outside. Consider these other benefits. Kids and adults who spend time outdoors:

* Have less stress
* Have less of a chance of getting diabetes
* Are healthier
* Are happier
* Live longer