How We Bond With Nature
Naturally

by Jim Parry

What’s the bottom line with all this KIDS and NATURE, “No Child Left Inside” brouhaha? It is that children don’t spend enough time in nature. That leads to problems:

1. They exercise less, and so are at a health risk, and
2. They know less about the natural world, care less about it, and so the environment is at risk.

Studies show that kids spend more time indoors and that obesity is increasing (pun intended?). Studies also show that natural science knowledge is decreasing. While simplifying this topic is helpful for understanding and focus, we must remember that this is a complex issue. Obesity is complex. Test scores, statistics, and scientific studies in general are complex. But the issue remains; this we know.

Let us look for the root of the problem, and then work toward a solution. I believe that the more time we spend indoors, the more we deprive ourselves of the chance to form a relationship with nature. We spend time with what we love, and we love what we spend time with. Because camps have a major outdoor component, they can build this love in children. Bonds with nature are deep, even genetic. So building them should be pretty straightforward and simple. Still, since the bond is broken, we must rebuild and strengthen it!

So why and how do we bond with nature? I made a “Top Ten” list. Each one is followed by examples, and then suggestions for camps.

1. We are amazed through our senses and profoundly and personally affected. Clouds, stars, wildflowers, ripples in water, a shady forest glen; don’t those things move us? Let’s teach our counselors to stop and marvel at the beauty.
2. We find peace, solitude, and consolation. Why do we take walks? Why do we sit outside and feel the breeze or watch the sun set? Nature is therapy; the outdoors is like soul food.
3. If it is interesting; we revel in learning about it. Sometimes the simple curiosity about how the stream flows, the grass grows, or where the raccoon hides teaches us the most. Or it might be using a scanning electron microscope to probe the mysteries of molecular bonds. Young inquiring minds are shaped in the safe, nurturing camp environment. Could your campers learn from a few local trees or birds?
4. Nature is where we are, it surrounds us, and it is our habitat; so we take responsibility and ownership of it. We love our home, and we love our camp. We might just love a certain tree or bench or view. Camp staff should demonstrate to campers how to take ownership in camp. We probably all say, “This is your camp, take care of it.” We should emphasize just our relationship with it, loving the land, the water, etc.
5. We work in and with nature; it challenges us, and so we come to respect and love it. I remember walking on a certain trail late at night to do “bed check,” many years ago. I remember the roots and branches I learned to avoid in the dark, and the contours beneath my feet. I remember trails I cut, trees I planted, rocks I removed, and litter I picked up. We feel pride for the work we do; we know it well!
6. We receive from nature, and so we learn to appreciate it. Nature is the ultimate provider. Our economy is based on our ecology. The Greek root, eke roughly translates to “home hearth.” Farms, gardens, quarries, wells, lumber land, and wild edibles. Campers should take part in this relationship; milk comes from more than a grocery.
7. We play, find joy, freedom and space — and are refreshed. I certainly hope that every camp is able to provide some joy, freedom, and recreation! This one can’t be difficult! Can you make your recreation time a little more natural?
8. Others inspire us about nature; we are touched. A few of my camp nature heroes are: Bruce, Dave, Bob, Mary, and John. I have some famous heroes too: Henry Thoreau, Loren Eiseley, Teddy Roosevelt, Edward Wilson, Stephen Gould, Jared Diamond, and others. The point is that people teach us things and inspire us; we are hard-wired to learn from each other.
9. Nature provides meaning and acts as a metaphor for life and its lessons. A bundle of sticks is stronger than a single twig. Grass with deep and intertwined roots comes back stronger after a prairie fire. Bees must work together to make a working hive. There is a circle of life. Campers should see and touch these things.
10. Nature provides mystery. It’s scary, thrilling, and fight or flight excitement! One night in our tent, we heard thunder get closer and closer; we were frightened and yet loved it. A camper heard an owl in the distance and rushed up to hold her counselor’s hand. A rustle in the bushes startled a group of boys. They talked about whether to chase it, and in the meantime, the skunk wandered off.

The next challenge is to examine our camp programs and be deliberate in encouraging the above list.

Jim Parry is the outdoor education director at Collin County YMCA Adventure Camp in Anna, Texas. He can be reached at JimP@YMCADALLAS.org.

Originally published in the 2009 July/August issue of Camping Magazine.