C&NN Connect was created to support people and organizations working worldwide to reconnect children and nature.
1 member
1 member
1 member
1 member
1 member
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan
Read our blog
Visit the Children & Nature Network Web site for news, resources, network initiatives, and the Movement Map.
Summer notes from Kodiak - While in Kodiak over the summer, I've been trying to get interest from other parents to create an outdoor play/hiking group. I've encountered a little resistance that has surprised me... "We'd love to... as long as it is nice outside." Why does this surprise me? Kodiak is an island community prone to wind and rain. I assumed that parents and kids were a little more hearty (they quite possibly are and I just haven't met them yet because they're already outdoors having fun. We've only been here a few weeks), and would take their kids out because they may not get our for a while if they wait for that perfect day. Having lived in Anchorage through record rainfall and snow years, we've come to accept the weather for what it is and deal with it. A sunny day is just that much more appreciated. Here in Kodiak if the skies open up for a few hours people know to take advantage of it!
We've come against this resistance before with our hiking group in Anchorage, but gradually parents have become more confident in their skills in preparing the whole gang for warm, comfortable and dry fun in all kinds of weather. Much of that thanks goes to our dear friend and author Jennifer Aist through her book Babes in the Woods and the classes and clinics she puts on for families (even if you aren't in Alaska, your group or organization can book her to do presentations!). There also happens to be a global movement to connect and reconnect children with the outdoors. This movement has largely been spurred on by the author Richard Louv and his books LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, and most recently, THE NATURE PRINCIPLE: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder.
Why is taking your kids out in cold or inclement weather important and actually healthy for them? Oh the reasons are numerous:
Now of course there are limits to what we will expose ourselves, an more importantly our children to. Those limits are different for every family, but it is important for us to not let a little rain or cold get in the way of our time outdoors. We'd miss out on so much wonder and opportunity if we did!
*please forgive the typos... this was written in a fury of a few quite moments, often typed with one hand while I've nursed an infant, or by miracle of miracles... both kids napped at the same time. The idea has been banging around my beaner for a couple of days now.
Comment
Thanks for your great blog, Harmony!
As a way to help develop that "deeper understanding of nature/science and its cycles," may I suggest to those members who live in cool/temperate climates that we are currently in that small window of magical time known to my family as the 'flower pancake season.' Need an excuse to get your kids out the door? Lure them with the promise of pancakes! Take your family outside to collect about a cup of elderberry flowers (removed from the stems) - these ivory-colored flower clusters are popping up everywhere in Homer, Alaska this week (they may be blooming elsewhere now, too). Then toss your flower collection into the morning's flapjack batter for yummy (and loftier) pancakes. The more flowers you add, the fluffier the pancakes become :) Don't wait, though, as the window for fresh elderberry flowers lasts only about 2 weeks! Then we must look for different flowers with which to cook or garnish our food with :)
Cheers,
© 2021 Created by amy pertschuk.
Powered by
You need to be a member of COMMUNITY FORUM to add comments!
Join COMMUNITY FORUM