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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2007)
Page 5 December 6, 2 0 0 7 Spilydy Tymoo, Wdim Springs, Oregon Outdoors im portant fo r healthy childhood development B y Shawn M orford W arm Springs 4 -H Youth D evelopm ent The 4-H and other youth pro grams in this community have a long history of, outdoor edu cation that give? youth an op portunity to learn and explore the natural world. The organizers o f these pro grams already know what recent research is now saying: Being exposed to the natural world is critical for growing up healthy. Having a lot o f experience in the outdoors as a young per son is no longer just a “nice to have.” Research now agrees that it’s an essential part o f emo tional and physical health. Recently I received the book, E ast C hild in the Woods by Rich a r d . L o u v (p u blish ed by Algonquin Books o f Chapel Hill 200$; fhat describes the research that says that direct exposure to nature is essential for children to grow up physically and emo tionally healthy. I t shows how the lack o f time ip the outdoors is linked, with a rise in attention disorders, depression, and other negative fa c to rs fo r ch ild ren in the United States. The research has found that children who spend time in na ture have lower stress levels, are healthier overall, and play more creatively. '' i Children who spend time out- doors also are shown to have a greater, respect for themselves, for others, and for the natural S h a w n M orford world. Louv believes that one o f the biggest problems facing youth isfa lack o f “day-to-day contact with the elements.” / What does that mean for this community? It means that: Youth programs in this com munity that focus on outdoor education have been already,hit ting the target* for many years. 4-H j and culture and heritage, and other programs in the out doors are very important — the long history o f camps and out door programs shows that this has been felt by people hère and now it is also supported by west ern science. Spending time with youth exploring the natural world that exists close to where they liye is important part o f raising healthy kids. I f the adults show excitement about exploring the natural as pects o f their backyards, parks, and natural areas, kids will pick lip on it, Louv says. “By expressing interest or even awe at the march o f ants across a street, we send a mes sage to our children that will last for decades to come.” Discovering the awe o f na- - ture does not only happen in structured programs like 4-H. In fo rm al, unstructured play time in the outdoors is also im portant Kids watch adults who show their own awe and inter est. Louv says: “Take them down to the creek to skip rocks, and then show them what was hiding un der those rocks. Take a walk after the rain and count the worms. Collect things- gather rocks, flowers, seeds. Take them hom e and make a collage or trace the leaves. Press die flow ers. Make a nature scrapbook. Start an insect collection. Plant a small garden— you can even use a few big pots or old tites.^1 What does L outs book mean for future 4-H Youth programs in Warm Springs? It means that we will be look ing for even more creative ways to bring together kids and na ture, both in their backyards and in the more wild areas, in addi tion to the existing 4-H prow; grams; We will be looking for com-: munity volunteers who want to teach short term classes and field trips for youth on topics relating to nature, especially those relating linking to culture, or start new’ 4-H clubs. We will be looking for funds to have an expanded summer program that .would involye more programs that get kids learning about and exploring the natural world. N ot only will these programs continue to help prevent “nature deficit disorder” in youth (As Louv calls it), but can -help in troduce youth to careers in the natural resources field. Future land managers may come from the group o f youth w ha participate in outdoor edu cation programs and who spend a lot o f time outdoors. Over 26 Years Experience Honest, Friendly Auto Repair . . i &c' ^Service! Master ASE Certified Technician Steve, Danita & Henry the dog! 475-2412 85 SW 3rd Street (located in the old Palmain Shop) M in ~ tiìiiw MADRAS Your Local Paint & Glass Experts' MADRAS PAINT <£ GLASS ffiSSt&M E ^pressions _ « Beniamin More Happy Birthday ^ Paint & Glass T 71 Other Wishes... T H E - Madras Paint & Glass D A D D Y 1076 SW Hwy 97 in Madras, ph. 475-2166 H appy Birthday, Sis! You are so cool! 1 love you ! Brady. We w ould like to sen d a b ig birthday wish to E llise R o s e a n d Brady\ P a u l D avid. With love gra n d m a S h a ro n , a u n t P aula a n d aunt Sam. E l l i s e w ill b e , 8 a n d B ra d y 3. W ith lo v e g ra n d m a S h a ro n , a u n t Paula and aunt Sam . r ........~~ ; ' You are m y g rea t, b est frien d ! H a p p y birthday on D e c e m b e r 21st. F ro m E llise. H :a p p y B ir t h d a y , Ellise! I love you - you are the best big sis ter ever! From Harlee. O PEN 8-5:30 M-F; 9-4 Sat Happy 8th Birthday to my travélin’ partner, E llise Rose David! I love you, Baby Girl! D ad. Happy Birthday to a wonderful daughter, E llise Rose D avid, on December 10th! J j We are so very proud o f a ll you Love M om and Dad., ■ , Taco E x p ress Vending Truck Need help with a legal problem? I I 1-, I I Legal Aid Services of Oregon provides free assistance to low- income Oregonians in many civil cases. Speak with an attorney during drop-in hours 1 to 4 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the Family Resources Center in Warm Springs. 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