Last Child in the Woods

This is a great book that I have been reading by Richard Louv. The book describes what the author calls "Nature Deficit Disorder". This so called disorder is based on the fact that people do not spend as much time with nature as they used to and many problems stem from this deficit. Americans are overstimulated and too reliant on material things to bring them happiness and to solve their problems. One quote from the book is from a child who says "I like to play indoors better because that is where all the electrical outlets are." I think that this is unbelievable but totally true. I feel this way, and I am a strong advocate of getting children outside and promoting outdoors activities. I am an avid fisherman, and I have been since middle school. I was an Eagle Scout in the DeMotte Troop 157. I have spent the night outside in all conditions including sub zero temperatures, blizzards, downpours and sweltering heat. I don't think people spend enough time doing things like this. Organized sports are great but the emphasis is on the sport not on the relationship with nature. Too many people have never seen an animal carcass go through processing. People have lost the relationship between what they eat and how it gets to the dinner table.

Our basic needs have been fulfilled since the beginning of time and now people are depending too much on the highly advanced and civilized world that surrounds us all. People don't realize the higher order thinking and problem solving that goes hand in hand with playing outside as children. Building shelters, going camping, cooking outdoors, imagination, and observation all serve as problem based learning that can be done through communion with nature. All in all this is just some things to think about while you ride in a car and watch tv while you are doing it on the way home or when you go somewhere with your parents. Keep your head up and your eyes open. Try to notice what is going on in your environment.