Sarah Leathers introduced Nicola (Nicky) Wood, founder with Shannon Zich of Outside Perspectives. This organization has created programs of 1 -7 days to help youth have immersive experiences in the natural environment. They believe that such experiences can be catalysts for positive change in the youths' lives. Participants have more confidence and feel more accomplished because they have met the challenge they have faced out of doors.
What in the world could Derek Jeter have to do with young people being outdoors?
Nikki points out that 1995 was Derek Jeter's first year with the Yankees. It was also the year that Nicky was 11 and in the fifth grade. Her family got their first computer that year. Most people younger than Nicky cannot remember a time before computers and smart phones. She acknowledges that technology has helped young people in many ways, but it has filled their time to the exclusion of being outside and facing nature's challenges and opportunities.
Nicky introduced us to Nature-Deficit Disorder, a term and not an official diagnosis coined by Richard Louv who wrote Last Child in the Woods. He writes about that young people are using fewer senses when they don't spend time outdoors. Time in the outdoors has shown to make a difference for those on the autism spectrum and can help the kid who is a problem in the classroom to channel his energy more productively. Louv also considers whether the increase in young people taking meds for ADHD and anxiety disorders is a result of less time in nature. Clearly less sun can result in Vitamin D deficiency
There are several reasons why exposure to nature is decreasing.
End of the frontier. In times past people lived off the land, which isn't the case today. In the 19th century, as the Industrial Revolution changed society, there was nostalgia for nature. Now there seems to be a connection of land mainly through technology.
Many more rules about being outside. Sometimes they reach the level of apparent silliness like the sign above. There are rules for safety as a result of insurance liability. Our litigious society makes parents concerned about sending children out to play without adult supervision. Parents have been reported to the police for letting their children walk to school alone. No longer are there many occasions to let children go outside and play with other kids all day, making up games and learning to get along with each other.
Limited and restricted open space. Growing population, especially in cities, makes open space almost inaccessible. And the desire to protect and maintain some open spaces has resulted in limited use of such space.
Adventure Gap - In the past the image of one who lived in the out of doors was almost exclusively that of the white male. Some kids thought, "I'm black, so I don't camp." There is now an effort to change that limited and limiting image. American Ascent is a documentary about an all-black climbing group reaching the top of Denali, the highest peak in North America. The film also explores the relationship of minorities to the outdoors. The climbers consciously wanted to bridge the gap in experience and perceived limitations of blacks and other minority groups.
The impact of less time outdoors.
- Rise in ADHD among youth
- Increase in obesity
- More stress and anxiety in youth
- Poor academic performance
- Less respect for nature.
Outside Perspectives is attempting to reclaim youth at risk by working with Native American principles
- Belonging - feeling part of a community
- Mastery - learning new skills like paddling a canoe, climbing and even cooking
- Independence - allowing kids to do for themselves in using skills and meeting challenges
- Generosity - helping young people to give back to nature. They often do service projects for the places they explore and they learn to help one another.
Outside Perspectives works to foster a lasting network with the young people. They prefer to work with groups who are already bringing young people into community. This helps with follow-up for Outside Perspectives and for the young people themselves. They have worked with a boxing group in Hartford which is just the sort they are seeking. A group from there experienced the Outside Perspectives program by spending time on the Appalachian Trail. This helps with those core principles and helps to give youth tools to resist drugs and other destructive behavior.
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