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.
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Need help with a legal problem?
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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. Or call us at 385-
6944 Monday through Wednesday
between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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Kay Baker, superintendent
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Springs twice each month to
m e e t with pa re n ts or oth er
community members regard
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will be in the tribal administra
tion building, conference room
2, on the first Tuesday of every
month from 11 a .m -12:30 p.m.;
and on the third Tuesday o f
each month from 8:30-11:30
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