Why spending time in the outdoors is important for yourfamily

Outdoor recreation not a priority for young people

According to a study conducted by the Outdoor Foundation, participation by young people in outdooractivities is dropping off dramatically. Christine Fanning, Executive Director said "Kids are spendingeight hours a day with media. Those same studies show young people reporting four minutes a dayfor spending time outdoors...The top reason they don't get outdoors is that they're not interested."

One of the services provided by Explore the Outdoors has been a series of field trips aimed atregenerating that lost interest in the outdoors. Our experience has shown that when kids get awayfrom their technological toys and spend time in the outdoors their eyes light up and their excitementbecomes obvious. The problem is not that they are not interested, but that they have forgotten justhow fun nature can be.

Why is Nature Apathy dangerous?

Nature apathy is dangerous on several levels. Studies have shown that outdoor activity reducesobesity and depression. "It's been shown that young people who have outdoor experiences duringthe school year actually do better academically," said Fanning.

Research shows that children who play outdoors have longer attention spans, more creativity, aremore self confident, perform better on standardized tests, get better grades, have better languageskills, interact better with others, have more self discipline, have better cognitive development, havebetter imaginations and creative expression.

Outdoor activity teaches a sense of ownership and stewardship

It doesn't really matter if you believe in global warming or not. What is important is that youpersonally do what you can do to preserve the natural environment. Before kids will buy into thatattitude, they need to care about nature. Spending time with them in the outdoors can make them

feel like they are a part of nature and help them feel a desire to do their part in taking care of theworld in which they live.

As adults, we need to do our part to teach good environmental stewardship practices. We also needto remember that before anyone will practice good stewardship, they need to care. The best way todevelop a love of nature is to spend time outside.

Before people choose to enjoy nature they must first have an interest in nature. Interpretivenaturalist Sharon Dequer said "Nature really can't be taught; it can only be discovered. And weadults cannot share in discovery until we reawaken our ability to see the world through childlikeeyes."

Recreation is the refreshment of strength and spirits. It should be fun, as well as re-create usphysically, emotionally and spiritually.