You never know what you’ll find on a walk in the woods! These young ladies, on a nature hike at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center study deer bones.
Remember the long, luxurious summer days of your childhood? We met friends outside, played endless hours of games, felt the joy and satisfaction of being able to explore the back yard and beyond. Our kids’ world is more scheduled these days, but we can still provide those timeless summer adventures we so fondly remember. You may have heard of the No Child Left Inside movement, inspired by Last Child in the Woods author Richard Louv.
“Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses,” states Louv.
Nature provides the young with something so much greater than they are; it offers an environment where they can easily contemplate infinity and eternity.
How can we provide these memorable experiences to our kids? Encourage them to really get to know and experience the wonder of the world they live in?
Just spending time outdoors every day is a great start, from picnics in the park to building forts in the back yard, the only limit is our imaginations. Most communities offer a variety of supervised explorations in day camps or summer programs. These can help your child not only feel comfortable exploring outdoors, but also know how to make safe choices during their adventures.
We are lucky here on the North Shore to have access to great state parks, community programs, as well as the trails just outside the door. Happy explorations!
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