Last Child in the Woods, Part II

Last December, I recommended that parents pick up a copy of Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. The book asserts that children today do not spend enough time outdoors, leading to what he calls "nature deficit disorder." I recently came across an interview with Mr. Louv in which he shared this interesting thought:

"But most of all, I think our plugged-in kids, who spend so much time in front of the TV and computer screen, are missing out on many chances to feel a sense of wonder. What I'd really like to communicate to fellow parents is that we shouldn't think about a child's experience in nature as an extracurricular activity but as a vital element for a healthy child's development. That's what the new research strongly suggests."

Perhaps the reason that overnight camps are largely found in wilderness settings is an inherent understanding of this need. Beyond the sense of wonder, the benefits of a wilderness setting can be seen daily around a camp.