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by Posie Taylor
Camp is the very best place to strengthen that
critical connection between children and nature
we all know is essential to healthy, happy development.
We at camp are leaders in the growing movement
to strengthen those connections for children
who may spend the rest of the year in front of
their various screens. Camp is a time for direct,
hands-on activity and for real interactions and
fun. But let's dispel two myths about children,
nature, and camp.
Myth #1:
Children can only
connect with nature in the wilderness.
When Rich
Louv talks about children and nature, he reminds
us that nature can be found in a puddle or a
vacant lot or a city park. Nature can be woven
into a camp program in an urban school or a remote
outpost. And children can feel unconnected from
nature in the wildest of places without thoughtful
involvement and modeling.
So how can you strengthen
your campers' connections with the natural
world this summer? Be environmentally responsible,
but, even more important, share with our campers
your strategies and efforts in being "green." Can
they help with recycling or make signs about
turning off faucets? Can they measure food waste?
Can they plant a garden or a tree or a flower?
Encourage awareness of the surroundings at camp!
Track the weather; measure the rain (and jump
in puddles, while you are at it), and check out
the bugs or the creatures that live at camp,
too. Get up close and personal with the trees
and stay up late and watch for falling stars.
Campers who are aware will take that awareness
home and will be more aware all year long. And,
finally, be sure to tell parents about your efforts
at connecting their children with nature and
encourage them to keep those connections alive
at home.
Myth #2:
Camps must teach nature and
environmental awareness in formal "nature" programs
at camp or no connections with the natural world
will be formed.
Of course, formal nature programs
can be terrific ways of introducing kids to the
world around them and great nature counselors
can be pied pipers for children. I have watched
children be so fascinated by a wonderfully charismatic
nature counselor introducing then to tiny crayfish
in the lake that they all missed lunch!
But boring
nature classes are not the answer, so, if you
can, find the most dynamic counselor around to
head your nature program. Better an enthusiastic
adventurous amateur with some good nature resources
than a dull expert with no sense of fun!
And,
children can connect with the wonders of the
world around them by sitting quietly near a lake
or sharing a sunset with friends. They can be
blown away by a family of robins or a hunt for
lucky rocks or overcoming fear of thunder.
There
are so many small moments of wonder during every
day at camp if children share those days with
fun-loving and dedicated counselors who understand
the value of a deep and abiding connection to
nature. So don't worry about your location
or whether you have a formal nature program or
not. Just encourage awareness and adventure in
the outdoors, and you will change a child, a
family, a neighborhood, and perhaps even the
world!
Originally published
in the 2008 September/October issue of Camping Magazine.
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