Nature Deficit Disorder

Crossing
a stream, paddling across the lake… a walk in the woods.

For some city and suburban kids, summer camp is a stark change
from life at home…

“I watch t-v all the time. I play video games, I can barely
live without my x-box,” says 11-year-old Mitchell VanDalen.

“And sitting on the couch and waiting for your favorite
show to come on t-v,” says 13-year-old Christine Babiak.

“I don’t really get to go outside that much,” adds
9-year-old Bianca Miller.

All that inside time is causing a condition one author calls ‘nature
deficit disorder’.

Others agree, and say it can lead to kids that are overweight,
distracted, and depressed.

“Living in an artificial environment is a very stressful
place to live,” says Counselor Josh Reynolds.

“And if they just step back and take a deep breath and
come outside and actually look around and just enjoy, kind of what
God’s given us to enjoy,” says Camp Director Alyson
Gondek, “I think it’s going to help kids become less
stressed. Stress level lead to better health. All those things
that are beneficial to children from any age.”

She says parents should set aside at least one day every couple
of weeks to spend time at a park… or campsite, or lake.

After a while, inside kids like Mitchell… might change.

“I think Mitchell will be changed when he goes home and
his parents are going to see something different in him,” says
Gondek, “They’re going to hopefully see that he’s
not watching t-v and video games as much. (split to) Really just
be in nature more.”

Mitchell thinks that’s possible. “If I lived out here
for maybe like three or four weeks, a month maybe… yeah I
probably would eventually just not even remember my Xbox.”

According to the Kaiser Foundation, children spend an average of one-and-a-half
hours per day using computers or video games. In addition, video and computer
game sales in the US totaled $6.1 billion. The Kaiser research also shows that
while half of kids believe computers haven’t made much difference in
the amount of time they spend with friends and family, a majority (61%) do
believe the use of computers has led kids to spend less time outdoors, and
63 percent say they know kids who are ‘addicted’ to video or computer
games.

Prevention is the best way to ensure your child doesn’t
develop nature deficit disorder. According to experts at the Texas Parks & Wildlife
Department (TPWD), your child’s natural curiosity will play a big role
in getting him/her involved in outdoor activities. They encourage parents to
create a science fun kit with their child that would include the following:

• Magnifying glass (some are like cups that you turn upside down
  are easy to use)
• Binoculars
• Crayons and paper to make rubbings
• Small net
• Bug jar (put the bug, leaf, etc. in your jar to look at, then
  put it back where you found it)
• Plastic bags (to carry your trash and your treasures. Remember,
  you can’t take things like plants, flowers, or artifacts from parks – it’s
  against the law; and besides, if the people before you did it, there
  would be nothing left for you to see! Always ask before you take
  something.)
• Plant, bird, rock, animal tracks or wildlife identification book

In addition to creating a science fun kit, experts at TPWD suggest
taking part in the following activities with your child:

• See What’s Inside a Puddle with a Milk Carton Viewer – Cut
  off the bottom of a paper milk or juice carton. Cut a piece of heavy
  plastic wrap big enough to cover the bottom of the carton and about
  half way up the sides of the carton. Use rubber bands to hold it
  in place. Open up the top of the carton so you can look through the
  top and out the bottom. Go to your favorite pond, stream or puddle
  and stick your viewer partway into the water. Look inside and you’ll
  see inside the puddle. Look for bugs, tiny fish and what’s sitting
  on the bottom.
• Rubbings – See the amazing number of shapes and textures
  in nature, and make really cool pictures at the same time. Use paper
  and crayons to make rubbings of leaves, bark of different trees,
  rocks and other cool stuff you find outdoors. Hold your crayon on
  its side for the best rubbings. For fun, try using different colors
  together.
• Square Yard Habitat – Use yardsticks, string or anything
  to make an outline of a box on the ground. Now try to find as many
  different things living inside that box. Look for different kinds
  of plants, bugs and animal signs (diggings, droppings, homes, holes,
  etc.). Look under rocks and under the soil if you can. Try doing
  this first in a sunny spot, then a shady spot. Or try in a grassy
  area, then an area near a stream or puddle, then rocky areas. How
  do habitats differ? How do plants and animals choose their homes?
  What do they need to survive?
• Walk When the Moon Is Full – For
  a special treat, take a midnight walk and see the world in the moonlight.
  There’s a whole new set of animals, sights and sounds out there.
  Owls and bats are looking for prey. (Don’t worry … they’re
  not interested in you.) Hear animals calling. Watch for things glowing – like
  worms and fungus on trees. Look at the stars and see if you can think
  up wonderful stories about them. See how many nighttime creatures
  and activities you can identify.