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 longerLabels: "camp jobs", "Last Child of the Woods", "nature deficit disorder", "No Child Left Inside", "summer jobs", ACA
