"Nature Deficit Disorder"

[Sweet Melissa]

Just read an interesting article called "Last child in the woods?" in the ODF Forests for Oregon magazine. It was about the fact that we have this whole generation of kids now who are growing up without having much connection to the oudoors. Some of the interesting points include the role electronic entertainment has had on keeping kids indoors, rise in childhood obesity rates, media's influence in scaring parents from letting their kids out, and the positive effects that spending time outdoors can have on children. The article references a book called Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder," by Richard Louv.

Interesting things to think about, especially when one considers that today's children are going to be tomorrow's scientists and policymakers.

[Joe C]

My kid won't. I can't afford trips to disneyland so we'll be doing a lot of camping each summer. And I'll be taking him fishing on the weekends to get him out of my wife's hair.

He told me yesterday he wants me to take him fishing so he can "catch a whopper." he's 2 1/2

[Bloom]

Getting kids away from the modern-day trappings of gaming, tv, computers, etc. and into the woods is one of the best gifts we can give to both the kids and to society in general. It doesn't mean they will all become hunters and anglers or conservators, but if nothing else, an appreciation of how nature works in it's quiet wonder.

I thanks my parents for their love of the outdoors and for passing it on to me and my sisters so we may pay it forward to our kids and grandkids.

How can one not appreciate the variety of rocks,animals, birds, flora and fauna that make up our landscape?