Monday, June 15, 2009

Backyard Campout


The Great American Backyard Campout is June 27 this year. What on earth can this possibly have to do with good deeds and spreading change?

Well, there have been numerous articles in the last couple of years about children and getting them outdoors. Many of the articles talk about childhood obesity, but the importance of children communing with nature goes way, WAY beyond getting more exercise.

There has been a study about childhood myopia. It is proven that children SEE BETTER when they spend less time indoors.

There has been a study about the alleviation of ADHD symptoms.

There has been a study about how children learn about their physical world better when they do it while outdoors.

There has been a lot of writing about how children relate to the environment and show concern about the environment when they've spent more time in nature.

As adults many of us are entrenched in our various ways of living. Sure, I agree it would be great to use less gasoline, but I haven't done anything to change my driving habits. It is difficult for most humans to make the large-scale changes in our daily lives that are needed to benefit the environment.

So, one thing we can do is use our influence to help the next generation do better than we are and we can start by getting kids outside.

And here we circle back to camping in the backyard. Mark your calendars. Do you have kids? Grandkids? Nephews and nieces? Why not plan to camp out in your backyard this year? The site even has a map that shows people all around the U.S. who have made the commitment to camp out this year.

Don't have kids and don't know any kids? Consider making a kid-friendly cache and registering it at geocaching.com. That will provide one more place in this small world of ours where kids can go to explore nature.

If you want to read more about this topic, check out the article at APA Online. Also, the wiki on "nature deficit disorder" has more info and some interesting links.

And one last cool thing... nature is free!

3 comments:

Vicki ~ FL said...

Great information you presented and I shouldn't have to worry about my future grandchildren because DD and SIL are both outdoor people! I think the eye problems have to do with too much computer/TV use!

Thank you for your visit to my blog.

glnroz said...

Do you really do all this,,(asked playfully). Today was the first time that I have been to this blog of yours. You mentioned geocaching. Letterboxing had caught on in this area of TEXAS. Are you familar? It is a great way to endjoy the out doors. I have yet to "plant any boxes". I need to read some other post to make sure I dont miss something else. lol,,, It is amazing that you get all this done. thnx for dropping by my site. Glenn

Stephanie said...

I think a campout in the backyard is a great idea. Will have all the benefits you listed PLUS we can still go indoors to pee:)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!!